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Why do AC stations ignore the '90s?
- Thread starter bchristi
- Start date
I looked up the lyrics I think I heard. "Half the man I used to be ... take time for a wanted man." I distinctly remember seeing Stone Temple Pilots. I was amazed at how soft that part of the song was, because I was remembering it being alternative.satech said:
90's music...right now...tests terribly. Only about 100 songs out of the entire decade test well
enough to play.
In time, that may change. But now you know why most of the "90's stations" have already departed the airwaves. They got one book pops out of the novelty of the format, then went steadily downhill in most cases.
enough to play.
In time, that may change. But now you know why most of the "90's stations" have already departed the airwaves. They got one book pops out of the novelty of the format, then went steadily downhill in most cases.
I'm surprised the number would be that high. Seems like 40 or 50. I'm still surprised that as the Hot AC audience in the 90s ages more in to the AC format's core target demographic, that the Gin Blossoms, Dave Matthews, New Radicals, Collective Soul, Matchbox 20, Vertical Horizon, No Doubt, The Cure, The Verve, Third Eye Blind, Cranberries, Alanis Morissette, etc. would test well with audiences across the board.Jason Roberts said:
But, no....time to play a 90s song on an AC station could someone please cue up "Come To My Window", "Because You Loved Me", or "Kiss From A Rose?" All of that while hard 80s songs like "Eye Of The Tiger" and "Here I Go Again" garner ample airplay.
In all seriousness, though, I might actually listen to AC again if they played more 90s material and it wasn't the same burned out stuff the format has exhausted for years.
Alanis Morissette was in yesterday's Parade magazine. It's ironic, but she has a nice smile.
Here's a thought - how come these 90s songs mentioned on this thread seem to test well with Adult/Variety Hits stations, but not AC? Virtually everything mentioned here gets airplay on that format which focuses on 70s, 80s, and 90s and I believe targets a similar demographic. I think the lighter/"poppier" Alternative from the 90s (which is what most of these songs we're talking about are) could be a gold mine for AC at some point. That was one genre that thrived in the 90s and has many songs that still sound great today. Cox is already embracing a lot of these titles on their AC's, but unfortunately Clear Channel chooses to stay stuck in the 70s and 80s.
Just to add to this - some more 90s tracks that I think would fit well on AC are "Bring Me Some Water" by Melissa Etheridge, "The Freshmen" by The Verve Pipe, and "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve. So many great songs that we could be hearing instead of Paula Cole, Santana/Rob Thomas, and the same few Matchbox 20 songs over and over.
Just to add to this - some more 90s tracks that I think would fit well on AC are "Bring Me Some Water" by Melissa Etheridge, "The Freshmen" by The Verve Pipe, and "Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve. So many great songs that we could be hearing instead of Paula Cole, Santana/Rob Thomas, and the same few Matchbox 20 songs over and over.
There are several versions of "The Freshmen" I've heard get radio airplay over the years. I think the hit version that most stations play might be a little too intense for an AC format, especially the way the lead singer gets that heavy-metal growl edge in his voice on the final chorus. I do think though that some of the softer, more acoustic, less "scream"-y versions of that song would work for sure.
Technically "Bring Me Some Water" is an '80s song, not a '90s song. It was on Melissa's debut album released in 1987. However, it is one of my favorites from Melissa Etheridge, and not too hard for AC, I don't think. However, it wasn't a hit single outside of rock radio stations, so I don't think stations would care to test it. Perhaps "Like The Way I Do" (also from her debut) would stand a better chance, given that it got some airplay again in 1994-95 as the flip side of "If I Wanted To" (which got listed by Billboard as a double A-side as a result).
I think a number of Melissa's hit singles from the mid-1990s which aren't played much anymore would be good to hear on an AC instead of "Come To My Window" or "I'm The Only One" - namely "If I Wanted To," "I Want To Come Over," and "Nowhere To Go."
In 1999, the Pretenders released a single called "Human" from their album "Viva El Amor." It got no airplay outside of adult alternative outlets and a few Hot ACs, but it had a perfect sound for AC. It was a terrific song and it was a shame it flopped.
One AC that is being a little more proactive about the '90s than most is WDOK/Cleveland. "Lovefool" is on their playlist, as is U2's "Beautiful Day," Sugar Ray's "Fly" (a lot of ACs spin "Every Morning" and "Someday" but not "Fly"), MB20's "Real World," and a couple of the more uptempo boy-band hits of 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys (i.e. "Tearin' Up My Heart," "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," and "I Want You Back").
Technically "Bring Me Some Water" is an '80s song, not a '90s song. It was on Melissa's debut album released in 1987. However, it is one of my favorites from Melissa Etheridge, and not too hard for AC, I don't think. However, it wasn't a hit single outside of rock radio stations, so I don't think stations would care to test it. Perhaps "Like The Way I Do" (also from her debut) would stand a better chance, given that it got some airplay again in 1994-95 as the flip side of "If I Wanted To" (which got listed by Billboard as a double A-side as a result).
I think a number of Melissa's hit singles from the mid-1990s which aren't played much anymore would be good to hear on an AC instead of "Come To My Window" or "I'm The Only One" - namely "If I Wanted To," "I Want To Come Over," and "Nowhere To Go."
In 1999, the Pretenders released a single called "Human" from their album "Viva El Amor." It got no airplay outside of adult alternative outlets and a few Hot ACs, but it had a perfect sound for AC. It was a terrific song and it was a shame it flopped.
One AC that is being a little more proactive about the '90s than most is WDOK/Cleveland. "Lovefool" is on their playlist, as is U2's "Beautiful Day," Sugar Ray's "Fly" (a lot of ACs spin "Every Morning" and "Someday" but not "Fly"), MB20's "Real World," and a couple of the more uptempo boy-band hits of 'N Sync and the Backstreet Boys (i.e. "Tearin' Up My Heart," "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," and "I Want You Back").
I've only ever heard one version of "The Freshmen" get airplay in recent years - the original that was "edgy." Personally, I don't think it's any more aggressive than Alanis Morissette, Nickelback, or Creed, which get plenty of AC airplay. Guess it depends on the station.
I heard Vertical Horizon's "Everything You Want" in the background at a store today and was just scratching my head as to why AC's ignore it. The only format that plays that track these days, to my knowledge, is Variety Hits. Just another reminder to me of how there is so much good, upbeat music from the 90s (well, technically, that was from 2000, but it could pass as '90s in sound) that gets ignored outside of Variety stations. It's a shame so much of the 90s material on AC is sleepy or burned out.
You're right about the Melissa Etheridge track. I don't know why I was thinking it was a 90s song - I guess because I mainly associate her with "I'm the Only One" and "Come To My Window", which were from the mid-90s, and have been burned to an absolute crisp on the format, in my mind.
I heard Vertical Horizon's "Everything You Want" in the background at a store today and was just scratching my head as to why AC's ignore it. The only format that plays that track these days, to my knowledge, is Variety Hits. Just another reminder to me of how there is so much good, upbeat music from the 90s (well, technically, that was from 2000, but it could pass as '90s in sound) that gets ignored outside of Variety stations. It's a shame so much of the 90s material on AC is sleepy or burned out.
You're right about the Melissa Etheridge track. I don't know why I was thinking it was a 90s song - I guess because I mainly associate her with "I'm the Only One" and "Come To My Window", which were from the mid-90s, and have been burned to an absolute crisp on the format, in my mind.
I heard that on a soft AC in 1995.satech said:
The station originally was going to air Stardust (standards) but was too close to another affiliate and SMN objected. AM Only wasn't a good product, the radio station owner said.
firepoint525 said:At least they don't play Michael Bolton anymore! :
This is not a good thing. I've always adored Michael Bolton's music! I would personally love it if AC stations would revive his music, but I know they won't.
I don't understand either why AC stations ignore the 90s.
In terms of other AC-leaning songs from the mid-90s, some that I find a potential fit include:
I Know - Dionne Farris
I Believe - Blessid Union of Souls
'Til I Hear It From You - Gin Blossoms
December - Collective Soul (one of my favorite Collective Soul songs)
I mean, don't get me wrong, but these might fit in well with AC. In fact, I looked at Billboard Magazine issues from 1995-96, and saw that these songs did well on the AC chart.
Does anyone remember hearing these songs on an AC or Hot AC station in the mid-90s when they were popular?
In terms of other AC-leaning songs from the mid-90s, some that I find a potential fit include:
I Know - Dionne Farris
I Believe - Blessid Union of Souls
'Til I Hear It From You - Gin Blossoms
December - Collective Soul (one of my favorite Collective Soul songs)
I mean, don't get me wrong, but these might fit in well with AC. In fact, I looked at Billboard Magazine issues from 1995-96, and saw that these songs did well on the AC chart.
Does anyone remember hearing these songs on an AC or Hot AC station in the mid-90s when they were popular?
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