Led Zeppelin for me.


Classic rock radio can take a break and go one day without playing a Zep tune.

I don't mind Led Zeppelin but my problem with the so-called classic rock stations in my area is that they play the same songs over and over. If any of them announce that a Led Zep song is coming up you can bet it will be one of the following:

"Stairway to Heaven"
"Rock and Roll"
"Black Dog"
"Immigrant Song"
"Whole Lotta Love"
"Dy'er Mak'er"
"All My Love"

They will also play these but very rarely...

"Fool in the Rain"
"Good Times Bad Times"
"Kashmir"

The problem isn't limited to Led Zeppelin, Some artists have fewer songs played even though like LZ they have tons of material out there. If any of them play Kiss it will either be "Beth" or "Rock and Roll All Nite"

Queen is usually limited to "We Will Rock You/We are the Champions" , "Somebody to Love", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" , "Killer Queen" , "You're My Best Friend" and "Another One Bites the Dust."

These stations also brag about their huge libraires of music and one even claims to play their huge library of music but when you hear the same songs over and over that tells me just two things and that is either your library isn't that big or you have a program director that doesn't know what they're doing.

I don't mind Led Zeppelin but my problem with the so-called classic rock stations in my area is that they play the same songs over and over. If any of them announce that a Led Zep song is coming up you can bet it will be one of the following:

"Stairway to Heaven"
"Rock and Roll"
"Black Dog"
"Immigrant Song"
"Whole Lotta Love"
"Dy'er Mak'er"
"All My Love"

They will also play these but very rarely...

"Fool in the Rain"
"Good Times Bad Times"
"Kashmir"

The problem isn't limited to Led Zeppelin, Some artists have fewer songs played even though like LZ they have tons of material out there. If any of them play Kiss it will either be "Beth" or "Rock and Roll All Nite"

Queen is usually limited to "We Will Rock You/We are the Champions" , "Somebody to Love", "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" , "Killer Queen" , "You're My Best Friend" and "Another One Bites the Dust."

These stations also brag about their huge libraires of music and one even claims to play their huge library of music but when you hear the same songs over and over that tells me just two things and that is either your library isn't that big or you have a program director that doesn't know what they're doing.

:yeahthat

It's not so much a "musical act", but like Charles said, it's more certain songs that I can do without hearing. Same goes for Rush, AC/DC, Aerosmith....I guess pretty much any classic rock act.

One of my favorite albums used to be Led Zeppelin IV (the one with "Stairway To Heaven"), but because of classic rock radio, I can't listen to it anymore. In fact, I seldom listen to any Zeppelin anymore because of that reason.

When I do listen to Zep, I tend to relish the deep album cuts because they haven't been played to death by classic rock radio.

Bob Seger's another one. I was never a huge Seger fan, but I did think he had a great voice. But they play the five or six Seger songs they focus on to death.

In fact, I don't listen to classic rock at all anymore. The formatting of radio stations with tight playlists and programming based on demographics ruined radio.

The best Seger is early Seger back when he was still on the local Ann Arbor/Detroit scene.



A reccomendation to mainstream radio is college radio. See if the university in the town you live in has on.

Bob Seger's another one. I was never a huge Seger fan, but I did think he had a great voice. But they play the five or six Seger songs they focus on to death.

Even though I detest "Old Time Rock and Roll" , Stranger in Town is one of my favorites albums of all time. "Still the Same" "Turn the Page" , "Rock and Roll Never Forgets" "Night Moves" , "Hollywood Nights" and "Her Strut" are the ones played most often. I could never get tired of "Still the Same" and "Turn the Page" but the others I can get-by without hearing on a constant basis. One of the better songs from the Against the Wind Lp was "You'll Accompny' Me" but it rarely gets played and you can forget about the early Seger that MickeyMac mentioned

Even though I detest "Old Time Rock and Roll" , Stranger in Town is one of my favorites albums of all time. "Still the Same" "Turn the Page" , "Rock and Roll Never Forgets" "Night Moves" , "Hollywood Nights" and "Her Strut" are the ones played most often. I could never get tired of "Still the Same" and "Turn the Page" but the others I can get-by without hearing on a constant basis. One of the better songs from the Against the Wind Lp was "You'll Accompny' Me" but it rarely gets played and you can forget about the early Seger that MickeyMac mentionedi cant stand old time rock and roll ether its a dumb song i do like night moves and another song that hardly ever gets played these days trying to live my life without you

Even though I detest "Old Time Rock and Roll" , Stranger in Town is one of my favorites albums of all time. "Still the Same" "Turn the Page" , "Rock and Roll Never Forgets" "Night Moves" , "Hollywood Nights" and "Her Strut" are the ones played most often. I could never get tired of "Still the Same" and "Turn the Page" but the others I can get-by without hearing on a constant basis. One of the better songs from the Against the Wind Lp was "You'll Accompny' Me" but it rarely gets played and you can forget about the early Seger that MickeyMac mentionedi cant stand old time rock and roll ether its a dumb song i do like night moves and another song that hardly ever gets played these days trying to live my life without you

sorry double post

Even though this article is over 15 years old, I feel it's totally relevant to this post. As you can see, not much has changed!! :crazy: :lol:

http://www.westword.com/1994-12-07/music/stairway-to-hell/

STAIRWAY TO HELL
OUR LIST OF THE MOST OVERPLAYED CLASSIC-ROCK SONGS OF ALL TIME.

Michael Roberts
Published on December 7, 1994

Woodstock isn't the only musical entity celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. It's also been a quarter of a century since FM-rock radio came of age as a major commercial force--and broadcasters playing variations on this programming style continue to draw big ratings in virtually every city in the country. But what began as an exciting and liberating form of entertainment has evolved into the most predictable format on the airwaves: classic rock. The redundancy of most classic-rock playlists makes the sound of a leaky faucet seem fresh by comparison.

In an effort to determine just how repetitious are classic-rock outlets, Westword surveyed a handful of radio listeners in several metropolitan areas: Denver, Los Angeles, Omaha, Kansas City, Cleveland, Chicago and New York City. In the process, we discovered a few quirks specific to certain areas. For instance, New Yorkers are virtually alone in having Billy Joel shoved down their throats, while Denverites hear a startlingly high volume of Stevie Ray Vaughan, an artist virtually ignored during his lifetime but now being played, um, to death.

Overall, however, classic-rock stations from coast to coast keep spinning the same songs by the same performers until you're ready to find a broomstick and go looking for Jeffrey Dahmer. Moreover, the cuts of choice often have certain characteristics in common. Many of them are pretentious--alleged epics with shifting themes and passages. Many of them make drug references, the better to appeal to former users who'd be using still if not for their employers' fondness for random urine tests. And most of them are long. Our theory? Many classic-rock DJs are incontinent, playing lengthy tracks so they can spend extended periods on the toilet. Better than Depends, dude.

What follows is our correspondents' list of the most overplayed classic-rock songs: four songs apiece by the 25 acts that dominate the stations, as well as the top ten overplayed songs by performers whose other work gets aired less frequently (see sidebar, page 82). These ditties constitute the bulk of many classic-rock stations' libraries: If a law were passed making it illegal to play them, the format would be brought to its knees.

Say, that's not a bad idea.

25. JIMI HENDRIX. The only African-American who made the classic-rock grade--and he barely did so. Obviously, the white people who make up the vast majority of classic rock's listenership know what they want to hear: more white people.

Runners-up. 3. "Fire" (1967): Trust us, this was once hot stuff. 2. "Foxey Lady" (1967): In the Sixties, women thought being called this was a compliment. Say it now, mister, and get a knee to the groin. 1. "Crosstown Traffic" (1968): Often used prior to traffic updates. Clever, eh?

The Winner. "Purple Haze" (1967): The most popular dope-tinged tune by a musician who overdosed on smack and died after choking on his own vomit. Make mine a Coca-Cola, barkeep.

24. DEEP PURPLE. Yeah, we were as shocked as you are that these dinosaurs lumbered onto the list. Proof that Dazed and Confused was a documentary.

Runners-up. 3. "Hush" (1968): Too bad Ritchie Blackmore didn't take this song's advice. 2. "Highway Star" (1972): Also used prior to traffic updates. A brilliant idea! 1. "Woman From Tokyo" (1973): The closest thing to Asian music in classic rock.

The Winner. "Smoke on the Water" (1972): Its riff may be the dumbest of all time. To guitar what "Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater" is to the piano.

23. THE POLICE. A downright contemporary act, by classic-rock standards. Which is to say, it's only been defunct for around a decade.

Runners-up. 3. "Message in a Bottle" (1979): We wish this message was only in a bottle. 2. "Can't Stand Losing You" (1978): The rare Police song that exhibits a sense of humor. No wonder it wasn't a hit. 1. "Synchronicity II" (1983): Popular with classic rockers because it sounds a lot like Yes.

The Winner. "Roxanne" (1978): When this was released, a Rolling Stone reviewer wrote that it sounded like Santana without a lead guitarist. Still does.

22. THE BEATLES. Once a staple of classic-rock stations, the Fab Four have faded of late. Meaning that plenty of music by worse bands is being played more than theirs.

Runners-up. 3. "Come Together" (1969): Considered cool because Aerosmith covered it. 2. "Golden Slumbers" (1969): The concluding passage of Abbey Road; classic rockers like it because it has a drum solo in it. 1. "Birthday" (1968): Played whenever anybody has a--well, you know.

The Winner: "Hey Jude" (1968): One of the few Beatles songs long enough to allow DJs to get a good bowel movement going.

21. CREAM. The Eric Clapton-led trio was known for its endless jams, but today its in-concert offerings are even too snore-inducing for classic rock. Stop the presses.

Runners-up. 3. "Badge" (1969): As brief as any classic-rock regular. That's why it's not played as often as... 2. "White Room" (1968): Trippy and drony, but not what you'd call colorful. 1. "Born Under a Bad Sign" (1968): Yeah--this one.

The Winner. "Sunshine of Your Love" (1968): It's about acid, right? Oh, sorry, we were flashing back.

20. U2. By far the list's youngest band. If you had any doubt that Bono and friends are pompous dolts, check out how well they fit in here.

Runners-up. 3. "I Will Follow" (1980): When they were pompous younger dolts. 2. "Sunday Bloody Sunday" (1983): Not bloody enough. 1. "Pride (In the Name of Love)" (1984): This ode to Martin Luther King Jr. would be out of place on a classic-rock station if it weren't for the fact that four white blokes sing it.

The Winner. "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" (1987): Whining raised to an art form. You can stop looking now.

19. THE GRATEFUL DEAD. They're paunchy, they're tottering and they're using fewer narcotics than they did during their prime. Sounds like the classic-rock listener profile to us.

Runners-up. 3. "Uncle John's Band" (1970): The Dead try to harmonize. Scary. 2. "Casey Jones" (1970): Another salute to dope. Let Casey drive you to the Betty Ford Clinic. 1. "Touch of Grey" (1987): Their biggest hit--until they release "Touch of Formaldehyde," that is.

The Winner. "Truckin'" (1970): Jerry and crew don't play this one in concert much anymore. DJs, take the hint.

18. THE ROLLING STONES. The Stones have cranked out so many great tracks that it's difficult to choose among them. So classic-rock programmers don't. They choose only these.

Runners-up. 3. "You Can't Always Get What You Want" (1969): But sometimes you get a little extra time in the lavatory. 2. "Gimme Shelter" (1969): Gimme a magazine. This could take a while. 1. "It's Only Rock `N Roll (But I Like It)" (1974): Better than Billy Joel's "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me," but only just.

The Winner. "Sympathy for the Devil" (1968): Also known as "The Newt Gingrich Story."

17. YES. The folks who love this band really, really love it. The only things they love more are their pocket protectors.

Runners-up. 3. "I've Seen All Good People" (1971): Who they define as "folks with pocket protectors." 2. "Close to the Edge" (1972): This one is so long you can cross several New England states befores it's over. 1. "Owner of a Lonely Heart" (1983): The song that brought them into the Eighties. They've since slipped back a decade or two.

The Winner. "Roundabout" (1972): The symbol of Yes's quasi-classical snootiness. Artists or swillmeisters--you be the judge.

16. CROSBY, STILLS AND NASH. How's the ol' liver, Dave?
Runners-up. 3. "Teach Your Children" (with Neil Young, 1970): Here's one class they'll want to ditch. 2. "Our House" (with Neil Young, 1970): Squint just right and David Crosby looks exactly like Wilford Brimley. 1. "Marrakesh Express" (1969): The threesome's first smash. Couldn't they have stopped at one?

The Winner. "Suite: Judy Blue Eyes" (1969): Written for Judy Collins, who, one hopes, was appalled by it.

15. BOSTON. Guitar nerd Tom Scholz has made one beloved recording and a slew of imitations of that one beloved recording. Guess which one gets played.

Runners-up. 3. "Peace of Mind" (1976): Off the first album. 2. "Foreplay/Long Time" (1976): Also off the first album. 1. "Let Me Take You Home Tonight" (1976): Which album? Duh.

The Winner. "More Than a Feeling" (1976): Yessir, the first album. It's more than a feeling, all right--it's nausea.

14. THE DOOBIE BROTHERS. With a name like theirs, they can rev up nostalgic potheads--the kind you see at Radio Shack looking wistfully at the alligator clips.

Runners-up. 3. "Black Water" (1975): The closest thing to bluegrass music in classic rock. 2. "Listen to the Music" (1972): Do so at your own risk. 1. "Long Train Runnin'" (1973): The perfect tune for any woman on a date with a motorcycle gang.

The Winner. "China Grove" (1973): It's about heroin, right? Oh, sorry, we were flashing back.

13. STEVE MILLER BAND. Love him or hate him, you've got to admit that Miller created a rash of hits. Hear them too often, though, and you'll wish that rash had been jock itch.

Runners-up. 3. "Rock'n Me" (1976): Sounds almost as good in its Muzak version. 2. "Take the Money and Run" (1976): An extremely subversive concept--a story song that really doesn't tell a story. 1. "The Joker" (1973): Gives cigarettes ("I'm a smoker") and marijuana ("I'm a toker") equal time. How egalitarian.

The Winner. "Fly Like an Eagle" (1976): Featuring a synthesized intro sure to hit home with you Emerson, Lake and Palmer diehards.

12. BOB SEGER. He says he likes that old time rock and roll. Talk about truth in advertising.

Runners-up. 3. "Like a Rock" (1986): A big favorite with anyone who's been suckered into buying a Chevy. 2. "Against the Wind" (1980): A tornado would be more entertaining. 1. "Night Moves" (1977): Makes losing your virginity seem totally dull. Don't believe it, kids.

The Winner. "Turn the Page" (Live version, 1976): A wealthy rock star whimpers about life on the road. Turn the stomach.

11. THE ALLMAN BROTHERS. The outfit that spawned the rise of Southern rock and inspired the neo-hippie movement. For these accomplishments, they deserve something special--like death by hanging.

Runners-up. 3. "Statesboro Blues" (1971): The dueling guitars. The barked vocals. The loosely structured arrangements. The horror. 2. "Mountain Jam" (1972): If you pass out during this live take, be reassured: It'll still be going when you come to. 1. "Whipping Post" (1971): Like being sentenced to thirty lashes.

The Winner. "Ramblin' Man" (1973): Dickey Betts at his peak. Which ain't saying a whole lot.

10. THE WHO. An act with loads of terrific songs. But only a chosen few meet classic-rock jocks' stringent standards.

Runners-up. 3. "I Can See for Miles" (1967): When Pete Townshend was just learning how to be long-winded. 2. "Behind Blue Eyes" (1971): Getting there--but still not as drawn out as... 1. "Baba O'Riley" (1971): Here we go! Pass the Charmin!

The Winner. "Won't Get Fooled Again" (1971): Yes, you will. Over and over again.

9. JETHRO TULL. When these codgers won a Grammy as best heavy-metal band a few years back, you could hear the laughter from sea to shining sea. Supporters find Ian Anderson's panting through his flute "ballsy."

Runners-up. 3. "Bungle in the Jungle" (1974): Enough to make you hungry for some endangered species. 2. "Locomotive Breath" (1971): We've got smokestack envy. 1. "Living in the Past" (1972): The classic-rock mantra.

The Winner. "Aqualung" (1971): It's sodden, drawn out, bombastic and doesn't make a lick of sense. In other words, a classic-rock landmark.

8. THE EAGLES. The reunion by these millionaires has prompted classic-rock music directors to pump them even harder than before. Damn the luck.

Runners-up. 3. "One of These Nights" (1975): Nearly twenty years later, proof that this song isn't like fine wine. 2. "Life in the Fast Lane" (1977): Another traffic-update soundtrack. Innovative! 1. "Take It Easy" (1972): The closest thing to country music in classic rock.

The Winner. "Hotel California" (1977): When we first heard Don Henley singing the line, "You can never leave," we thought he was joking. The truth is a bitter thing.

7. AEROSMITH. At least they rock harder than other musicians who can qualify for the senior discount at Denny's.

Runners-up. 3. "Back in the Saddle" (1977): Gene Autry's still pissed about this one. 2. "Walk This Way" (1976): Of course it's not the rap remake with Run DMC. Thanks to Jimi Hendrix, classic-rock stations already have one African-American's music in their archives--and apparently they feel that's enough. 1. "Sweet Emotion" (1975): It would sound sweeter if it weren't played so frigging often.

The Winner. "Dream On" (1973): A nightmare's more like it.

6. BAD COMPANY. Even if Paul Rodgers rejoined this band, it wouldn't draw flies. But for some unexplainable reason, it keeps drawing airplay.

Runners-up. 3. "Bad Company" (1974): That they are. 2. "Feel Like Makin' Love" (1975): Not after hearing this neanderthalic clunker, you won't. 1. "Rock `N' Roll Fantasy" (1979): It'll have you fantasizing, all right--about switching to talk radio.

The Winner. "Shooting Star" (1975): The tale of a rock star who rises to fame, then overdoses and dies. Likely to have you wishing it were autobiographical.

5. ERIC CLAPTON. With his comeback still in full swing, Clapton's a regular on many different brands of rock station. So you can get sick of him all over the dial.

Runners-up. 3. "Cocaine" (1980): Do onetime indulgers realize this isn't a pro-drug song? Snort! 2. "After Midnight" (1970): Used as a beer commercial while Eric was a chronic substance abuser. Close your eyes and touch your nose. 1. "Layla (Acoustic Version)" (1992): How do classic-rock stations pretend to play something new? They broadcast a wimpy remake of something old.

The Winner. "Layla" (with Derek and the Dominos, 1972): The most impressive thing Clapton ever wrote--or probably ever will. And by now, hearing it (or its unplugged twin) is like Chinese water torture.

4. LYNYRD SKYNYRD. Redneck wisdom dispensed against the backdrop of three guitars spewing empty musical cliches. Pass the Boone's Farm, Bubba!

Runners-up. 3. "Saturday Night Special" (1975): Most of the NRA-boosting yahoos who love this are too dense to realize it's an anti-handgun song. 2. "Tuesday's Gone" (1973): Actually, Tuesdays are shorter than this song. 1. "Sweet Home Alabama" (1974): A single that makes Hank Williams Jr.'s odes to the South seem cerebral by comparison.

The Winner. "Free Bird" (1974): At almost any concert, you can hear pranksters shouting requests for this endless exercise in puerility. Classic-rock programmers obviously don't get the joke.

3. PINK FLOYD. Now we're coming to the big boys. This band is faceless. Dour. Self-important. And a maker of songs protracted enough to allow jocks to eliminate every speck of human waste from their systems before returning to the studio.

Runners-up. 3. "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" (1975): A tribute to a drug casualty. Presented in a casually druggy way. 2. "Great Gig in the Sky" (1973): Soulfulness has never sounded so soulless. 1. "Comfortably Numb" (1979): What do you know! More drug references! In an anti-drug song that sounds great on headphones when you're on drugs!

The Winner. "Money" (1973): Which, thanks to classic-rock stations, they're still raking in.

2. THE DOORS. In the pantheon of classic-rock blowhards, the Doors are kings. The act that laid the groundwork for a thousand interminable organ solos.

Runners-up. 3. "Hello, I Love You" (1968): Another pick-up line whose time has passed. 2. "Light My Fire" (1967): Come on, baby, change the channel. 1. "L.A. Woman" (1971): More effective than Proposition 187 at making people hate California.

The Winner. "Riders on the Storm" (1971): Played whenever the weather turns foul. No rain! No rain! No rain!

And the champion is...

1. LED ZEPPELIN. It's no surprise that Zep rules classic rock (you already knew that, didn't you?). But the shock is the margin of victory. This group is played more often than any other in each of our surveyed cities. Listen to a classic-rock station for an hour and you're apt to hear at least one Led Zeppelin song. And it will probably be one of these.

Runners-up. 3. "Whole Lotta Love" (1969): Mr. Plant wants to give you every inch of his love. But beware--some of it may be padding. 2. "Immigrant Song" (1970): Not exactly the band at its peak. But that hardly matters to this crowd. 1. "Kashmir" (1975): Thanks to the new Robert Plant-Jimmy Page MTV cash-in platter, this is also available in a handy Moroccan mix that simulates freshness.

The Winner. "Stairway to Heaven" (1971): The most overrequested song in rock history long ago established the classic-rock prototype: It features a quiet introduction, flighty, mock-poetic lyrics (excuse us, but what was in the hedgerow?), a buildup to an electric guitar frenzy, several chest-thumping rock moments and a hushed conclusion meant to convey depth and timelessness. And, as an added bonus, it's either unintentionally funny or boring as sin, depending on your point of view. That's classic rock at its best.

Have we missed anything? Are there overplayed classic-rock songs that have somehow escaped our notice? Let us know by sending your suggestions to Westword, c/o Michael Roberts, P.O. Box 5970, Denver, CO 80217, or faxing them to us at 296-5416. (No phone calls, please, or our receptionist will kill us.) It's easy, it's fun, and it will make you feel better the next time you hear "Smoke on the Water." Or maybe not.


THE HITS KEEP ON COMING (sidebar)
Although it might seem to be otherwise, classic-rock stations actually do broadcast songs by artists other than those included in our primary list. But not many. Outfits that haven't risen into the golden circle are generally restricted to one song that--can you believe it?--is played incessantly. According to our correspondents, these are the ten they hear most of all.

10. "The Low Spark of High Heeled Boys," by Traffic (1971). Meandering jamming and a slew of passages stitched together into a sprawling musical quilt. Traffic's recent reunion prompted a massive yawn from concert-ticket buyers, but DJs still hold it dear. Especially when they're in the mood for a nap.

9. "Takin' Care of Business," by Bachman Turner Overdrive (1974). Yet another track first heard by young people in TV commercials. Rock rebellion has never been so salable.

8. "Dust in the Wind," by Kansas (1978). "Carry On My Wayward Son" may be more excessive (a plus for classic rockers), but this appalling piece of treacle still gets aging glue-sniffers misty. Then again, a trip to the hobby shop could probably do the same.

7. "Green Grass and High Tides," by the Outlaws (1975). It sounds a little like Lynyrd Skynyrd, a little like the Allman Brothers and a little like the Eagles, and it's about as long as the average NFL game. That's how classic-rock DJs spell love.

6. "Piece of My Heart," by Janis Joplin (1971). You may not have noticed, but this is the first and only female artist who made a mark in our poll--and among the also-rans, only Heart and Stevie Nicks were even mentioned by our respondents. Is classic rock sexist? Well, is Jesse Helms senile?

5. "Radar Love," by Golden Earring (1974). A quartet from the Netherlands that had two hits (the other one was 1983's "Twilight Zone") and then disappeared from the face of the earth. Who knew at the time that the lyric "The radio plays that forgotten song" would someday seem like a reference to "Radar Love"?

4. "Frankenstein," by the Edgar Winter Group (1973). Among the most popular (and dippiest) rock instrumentals ever made. We'd take "Walk, Don't Run" over it any day.

3. "Slow Ride," by Foghat (1976). Brainless grinder seemingly made for guitarists to throw their long hair to. Maybe that's why Henry Rollins hasn't covered it.

2. "Money for Nothing," by Dire Straits (1985). Upon its arrival, this MTV smash was ballyhooed as social commentary worthy of Randy Newman. In actuality, it's a turgid, one-joke endurance test featuring a guest appearance by Sting. Money for nothing, indeed.

1. "All Right Now," by Free (1970). An underdog victor, the track sounds like Bad Company, because vocalist Paul Rodgers and drummer Simon Kirke were in both that band and Free. These acts share in common a catchy approach to meat-and-potatoes rock that becomes downright annoying with repeated listens. Like the kind you're subjected to every day on classic-rock radio.

Here's the follow-up to that article:

http://www.westword.com/1995-01-25/music/you-asked-for-it

YOU ASKED FOR IT
OUR READERS REVEAL THE OTHER OVERPLAYED CLASSIC-ROCK SONGS.ONCE MORE WITH FEELING

Michael Roberts
Published on January 25, 1995

The people have spoken. At the conclusion of our recent list of pop history's most overplayed classic-rock songs ("Stairway to Hell," December 7), we invited you, our readers, to point out any tunes we might have overlooked. The response was voluminous. Either we struck a chord, or we did such a poor job that you felt someone had to fill in the gaps.

Hence, here's your roster of the ten overplayed acts we didn't mention last time around, as well as the top ten numbers by performers whose other work gets aired less frequently (see sidebar, page 64). And for those correspondents who suggested that overplayed rock oldies, classic new-wave hits and cuts that fall into several other musical classifications also deserve to be noted, here's an admission: You're right. Don't be surprised if they make an appearance in these pages sometime in the future.

10. ASIA. Oh, my God! It's perhaps the most mediocre supergroup of all time! This collective of veteran art-rockers--Yes's Steve Howe and Geoff Downes, Emerson, Lake and Palmer's Carl Palmer, and John Wetton, formerly of King Crimson and (yikes!) Uriah Heep--made music that was about as artful as a Jim Varney film. Worse, they're still getting airplay.

Runners-up. 3. "The Smile Has Left Your Eyes" (1983): The listeners have left the room. 2. "Only Time Will Tell" (1982): Time's up. 1. "Don't Cry" (1983): All right, but only if you stop spinning this song.

The Winner. "Heat of the Moment" (1982): Untruth in advertising: It's not hot, and it lasts a lot longer than a moment.

9. TOTO. A group of L.A. session men with absolutely nothing to say get together, and millions of masochists make them stars. Little-known fact: Toto keyboardist David Paich won an Emmy for co-writing the theme to the Raymond Burr series Ironside. Which kicked the asses of the rest of these disgusting ditties.

Runners-up. 3. "I Won't Hold You Back" (1983): You already have. 2. "Africa" (1982): Single-handedly pushed back the cause of improved relations with nations on the African continent by about a thousand years. 1. "Rosanna" (1982): Single-handedly pushed back the career of Rosanna Arquette (the composition's inspiration) by about a thousand years.

The Winner. "Hold the Line" (1978): The first, and worst, Toto hit. It's way over the line.

8. JEFFERSON AIRPLANE/STARSHIP. This San Francisco outfit was one of the brightest new entries during the original Summer of Love. With each passing day (and each successive name change), however, it became less interesting. In another decade or so, it may finally disappear.

Runners-up. 3. "Somebody to Love" (1967): Judging by the miles on Grace Slick today, she found plenty of somebodies to love. 2. "Miracles" (1975): After this song, we stopped believing in them. 1. "Jane" (1979): She's feelin' no pain--but listeners are.

The Winner. "We Built This City" (1985): Easily the band's worst hit.

7. FOREIGNER. These guys may not have much of a career right now, but they've left eons worth of fake rock and genuine treacle in their wake.

Runners-up. 3. "I Want to Know What Love Is" (1984): Love is never having to be subjected to this again. 2. "Hot Blooded" (1978): You can never find a leech when you need one. 1. "Cold as Ice" (1977): Hot-blooded or cold as ice? Make up your minds.

The Winner. "Feels Like the First Time" (1977): If this song really was anything like "the first time," most of us would still be keeping a vow of celibacy.

6. DAVID BOWIE. The Thin White Duke is a crossover hero; he gets overplayed on modern-rock radio, too. Fortunately, he has enough personalities to go around.

Runners-up. 3. "Young Americans" (1975): Among the hipper tracks here. As such, it's a surprise it gets aired at all. 2. "Golden Years" (1976): This is as funky as classic rock gets--meaning that James Brown has nothing to worry about. 1. "Fame" (1975): Yeah, being rich and famous is rough. Those of us who are unknown and impoverished definitely sympathize.

The Winner. "Space Oddity" (1973): The story of Major Tom lost in space. Too bad he didn't take this creaky epic with him.

5. ELTON JOHN. Laugh if you'd like, but Elton was one of the more tolerable idols who emerged during the Seventies. Of course, that doesn't make The Lion King sound any better.

Runners-up. 3. "Rocket Man" (1972): Bowie's inspiration for "Space Oddity"? Only his hairdresser knows for sure. 2. "Crocodile Rock" (1972): Our readers think this has a lot in common with its namesake--it bites. 1. "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" (1973): Billy Joel likes this John song more than any other. Figures.

The Winner. "Funeral for a Friend (Love Lies Bleeding)" (1973): It's endless. It's pretentious. It's got several "movements." At times it sounds like Rick Wakeman. Friends, that is classic rock.

4. JOURNEY. Beavis and Butt-head's most hated group. For cartoon morons, they're pretty damn insightful.

Runners-up. 3. "Who's Crying Now" (1981): Anyone who ever heard this frigging thing. 2. "Any Way You Want It" (1980): We want it spindled, mutilated and destroyed. 1. "Don't Stop Believin'" (1981): Okay--but can we stop listening?

The Winner. "Open Arms" (1982): If you doubt that lead singer Steve Perry is the spawn of the devil, check this one out.

3. STEELY DAN. Critics tend to like the work of Donald Fagen and Walter Becker, which Frank Zappa dubbed "downer surrealism." But our letter writers have had more than enough.

Runners-up. 3. "Hey Nineteen" (1980): Beloved by middle-aged men who get horny watching The Breakfast Club. 2. "Aja" (1977): Recorded during the period when the boys began to get too enamored of overslick jazz. 1. "Rikki Don't Lose That Number" (1974): Rikki may have lost the number by now, but classic-rock DJs will never misplace it.

The Winner. "Do It Again" (1972): On second thought, don't.

2. ZZ TOP. Man, were you shocked this threesome didn't rate a mention in our first article. Here in Denver, the Topsters' Texas boogie is as omnipresent as John Elway car dealerships.

Runners-up. 3. "Arrested for Driving While Blind" (1976): Gets big laughs from people serving time for vehicular homicide. 2. "Gimme All Your Lovin" (1983): Retooled for the MTV generation. Dig that dorky synthesizer. 1. "Legs" (1984): They couldn't mention their other favorite body parts on the radio.

The Winner. "Tush" (1975): When male chauvinists sexually harass women, this is the song going through their heads.

1. THE MOODY BLUES. The band that put the term "symphonic rock and roll" into the musical lexicon has a lot to answer for. So let's get started, shall we?

Runners-up. 3. "The Story in Your Eyes" (1971): A sad, sad story. 2. "Tuesday Afternoon (Forever Afternoon)" (1968): Jocks love putting this on during (surprise) Tuesday afternoons. Appropriate! 1. "I'm Just a Singer (in a Rock and Roll Band)" (1973): Debatable.

The Winner. "Nights in White Satin" (1968). Our biggest oversight. This turgid slab of yuck could be about anything from cocaine to the Ku Klux Klan--we can't bear to analyze its mock-poetic lyrics long enough to know for certain. But this we're sure of: We can't wait until these "Nights" are over.


Our previous rankings of one-shots by acts that didn't make the main list of classic-rock overachievers featured a slew of deserving victors, including Bachman Turner Overdrive, Kansas, Golden Earring and Foghat. The names added by readers are just as hallowed--and generally as horrifying:

10. "Hit Me With Your Best Shot," by Pat Benatar (1980). A darling of despicable spouse-abusers everywhere, "Hit Me" is sung by the only female artist to make the grade--echoing the overwhelmingly male tenor of our initial piece. You can bet that somewhere, Stevie Nicks is pissed.

9. "Hocus Pocus," by Focus (1973). Admit it: The first time you heard this ridiculously drawn out novelty song from Dutch progressive rockers Jon Akkerman and Thijs Van Leer, you knew they'd never have another American chart success. And you were right.

8. "Come and Get It," by Badfinger (1970). Penned by Paul McCartney and made sort of famous by the Peter Sellers flick The Magic Christian, "Come" has the kind of melody that some people could listen to endlessly. For those in the other camp, it represents a special brand of torture.

7. "Love Hurts," by Nazareth (1976). Fans of country-rock pioneer Gram Parsons know that this song can be lovely in the right hands. But the hands attached to these idiots from Scotland are wrong, wrong, wrong.

6. "All the Young Dudes," by Mott the Hoople (1972). Mott put out a lot of good music in its day, but only made waves with this androgynous mosaic produced by David Bowie. Note to you macho, hairy-chested types who like it: For a time, this was regarded as a homosexual anthem.

5. "Hold Your Head Up," by Argent (1972). When singer/keyboardist Rod Argent was in the Zombies, he contributed to some pretty good radio fare. But it's difficult to picture him holding his head up about this weak solo venture.

4. "Rock and Roll Part 2," by Gary Glitter (1972). A walking, talking trivia question, Glitter made his mark with songs whose rhythms simulate the sound of a rhinocerous tap-dancing. Haven't we heard this enough at hockey games?

3. "Bang the Drum All Day," by Todd Rundgren (1982). "Bang" is an enjoyable enough anti-work tune, but it gets played whenever some nutty radio jock wants to suck up to the blue-collar crowd. Which, according to our respondents, happens all too frequently.

2. "Bang a Gong (Get It On)," by T. Rex (1972). More banging from the late Marc Bolan, who wrote a handful of groovy tunes before clocking out. But you wouldn't know it by listening to classic-rock radio.

1. "Green-Eyed Lady," by Sugarloaf (1970). Yes! Denver's own Sugarloaf takes the prize with this wacky ode to womankind, delivered by lead singer Jerry Corbetta in a stentorian voice that would do Tom Jones proud. Remember--it doesn't have to be old to be classic. But it sure helps.

Not just classic rock, but mainstream and even oldies radio play the same tunes over and over and over again. Thats why I reccomend to see if your town has a university and see if they have a radio station. They play stuff that other radio stations wouldn't dare touch.

Not just classic rock, but mainstream and even oldies radio play the same tunes over and over and over again. Thats why I reccomend to see if your town has a university and see if they have a radio station. They play stuff that other radio stations wouldn't dare touch.

Yes, I love college radio, when I can pick up a station!!

In response to some of Monika's post -

The Police: What, no Every Breath You Take?? I'm surprised that wasn't on there.

My sister loves the Police but she cannot stand Roxanne!!

Bob Seger: Soooo over Turn the Page!! When my brother saw Metallica, they performed that song. A big black eye on what was an excellent set list. All the songs Metallica has, and they do Turn the Page??!!

The Who: Don't even get me started!!

The Eagles: Used to love Hotel California when I was a kid, now I'm so over hearing it!!

Aerosmith: Love Aerosmith, but once I hear the 1st notes of Sweet Emotion or Dream On, changing the station.

Eric Clapton: I never liked Cocaine. 1st notes, changing the station.

Lynyrd Skynyrd: I cannot stand Free Bird!!

Lastly, Journey: I am so over hearing Don't Stop Believin'!!!

Yes, I love college radio, when I can pick up a station!!

In response to some of Monika's post -

The Police: What, no Every Breath You Take?? I'm surprised that wasn't on there.

My sister loves the Police but she cannot stand Roxanne!!

Bob Seger: Soooo over Turn the Page!! When my brother saw Metallica, they performed that song. A big black eye on what was an excellent set list. All the songs Metallica has, and they do Turn the Page??!!

The Who: Don't even get me started!!

The Eagles: Used to love Hotel California when I was a kid, now I'm so over hearing it!!

Aerosmith: Love Aerosmith, but once I hear the 1st notes of Sweet Emotion or Dream On, changing the station.

Eric Clapton: I never liked Cocaine. 1st notes, changing the station.

Lynyrd Skynyrd: I cannot stand Free Bird!!

Lastly, Journey: I am so over hearing Don't Stop Believin'!!!
Yes, I'm also surprised they didn't mention Every Breat You Take - one of the most overplayed songs in history!! But I still love Dream On by Aerosmith...so go figure. :lol:

Here's a great record review site - Motown, classic rock, you name it. I think Mickey would probably appreciate this the most. It's called Wilson & Alroy's Record Reviews, and their line is "we listen to the lousy records so you won't have to." :lol:

http://warr.org

Yes, I'm also surprised they didn't mention Every Breat You Take - one of the most overplayed songs in history!! But I still love Dream On by Aerosmith...so go figure :lol:

Well, see, I still like Walk This Way so.....

Well, see, I still like Walk This Way so.....
So I took a big CHANCE at the high school DANCE! :D

So I took a big CHANCE at the high school DANCE! :D

With a missy who was ready to plaaaaaaay!

With a missy who was ready to plaaaaaaay!
I love that song - the Run-DMC remake doesn't even come close!!

"Walk This Way' or anything by Aerosmith puke:

That said I will take "Walk This Way" anyday over anything the Eagles ever put out, and dont get me started on Eric Clapton zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Then there is Genesis, Journey, Boston, The Doors, Forgiener, and Peter Frampton puke:

Here's a great record review site - Motown, classic rock, you name it. I think Mickey would probably appreciate this the most. It's called Wilson & Alroy's Record Reviews, and their line is "we listen to the lousy records so you won't have to." :lol:

http://warr.org


Thanks Monika, I'll have to check this out.

Thanks Monika, I'll have to check this out.
Great - let me know what you think!! :cool:

I love that song - the Run-DMC remake doesn't even come close!!

There is an Aerosmith compilation CD called Devil's Got A New Disguise: The Very Best Of Aerosmith that has the Run-DMC version instead of the original Aerosmith version.

Bogus!:mad:

When I was in my teens back in the mid-late 70's, you could hear some pretty awesome stuff on free-form rock stations that played really killer epic songs, and a lot of cool stuff from even established bands that would otherwise never get on the radio. Now it's just token songs by various bands to remind people, "Hey, this used to be popular..." Token songs for tokin? :crazy:

I have to say it, but some of my favorite bands make the list of stuff I don't want to hear anymore on the radio (or at least as much):

Iron Man and Paranoid by Black Sabbath. Gee, radio dorks, the band has been making records for 40 years now, and you guys still cannot get over playing the hell out of a handful of songs from their sophomore release that will celebrate its 40th anniversary this fall. Where's
"N.I.B"? "Into the Void"? "Supernaut"? "Killing Yourself To Live"? "Symptom Of the Universe"? "Children Of the Sea"? "Voodoo"? "Iron Man" is an anthem for me, even more than "Stairway To Heaving", but there's MORE from the band everyone should check out!! By the way, Black Sabbath has been putting out more songs in the vein of their 'Heaven and Hell' and 'Mob Rules' era with Dio in the past 30 years than anything that sounds like the Ozzy era material.

Fly By Night, Tom Sawyer, The Spirit Of Radio, and New World Man by Rush. They are one of my favorite bands on the planet, but I hate it when classic-crock radio dj's always have to play these songs forever while ignoring other killer songs by them. How about throwing on "By-Tor and the Snow Dog", "Hemispheres", "Manhattan Project", or the entire '2112' album side!!

Btw, the above article says that Jimi Hendrix died from taking smack (heroin). I thought it was a combination of barbiturates and alcohol that made him hurl and cut off his breathing passages (in addition to being handled improperly by the ambulance crews).

Btw, the above article says that Jimi Hendrix died from taking smack (heroin). I thought it was a combination of barbiturates and alcohol that made him hurl and cut off his breathing passages (in addition to being handled improperly by the ambulance crews).




Thats how Hendrix went out. They did an autopsy report and the report came back saying that Hendrix was not under the influence of heroin, or had ever taken the drug. Then again there is the tall tale that Hendrix died because he put his LSD under his head band, and after doing that so many times the acid went to his brain causing him to have a massive overdose.

There is an Aerosmith compilation CD called Devil's Got A New Disguise: The Very Best Of Aerosmith that has the Run-DMC version instead of the original Aerosmith version.

Bogus!:mad:
Boooooooooooooooooo...:mad: :mad: :mad:

There is an Aerosmith compilation CD called Devil's Got A New Disguise: The Very Best Of Aerosmith that has the Run-DMC version instead of the original Aerosmith version.

Bogus!:mad:

I can remember when Run-DMC's video for Walk This Way with Steven & Joe was being played on MTV, and I actually had a co-worker ask me who those 2 other guys were that were in the video(meaning Steven & Joe, of course).:crazy: :rolleyes:

I can remember when Run-DMC's video for Walk This Way with Steven & Joe was being played on MTV, and I actually had a co-worker ask me who those 2 other guys were that were in the video(meaning Steven & Joe, of course).:crazy: :rolleyes:
:rofl:

There is an Aerosmith compilation CD called Devil's Got A New Disguise: The Very Best Of Aerosmith that has the Run-DMC version instead of the original Aerosmith version.

Bogus!:mad:
Totally lame. ohno:

Boooooooooooooooooo...:mad: :mad: :mad:

It's not worth getting, really. They just put it out so they could use it to add two new songs...which weren't that great and weren't hits, so...

It's not worth getting, really. They just put it out so they could use it to add two new songs...which weren't that great and weren't hits, so...
Well, I already have all their real hits anyway on my iTunes, so I wouldn't bother anyway. But thanks for the heads up!!

I'm listening to one of the radio stations I've griped about and they just played Cheap Trick and it was the same song they always play by them. Anyone care to guess which one? :rolleyes:

I'm listening to one of the radio stations I've griped about and they just played Cheap Trick and it was the same song they always play by them. Anyone care to guess which one? :rolleyes:

Ummmmmmmmmmmmm............

I Want You to Want Me?????

or it could be Surrender.

Heck, I'm even happy when they play Dream Police!!

Ummmmmmmmmmmmm............

I Want You to Want Me?????

Correct, It's the only song I ever hear by them on this station except for one rare occurrence when they did play "The Flame" I never hear "Surrender" , "Dream Police" , "Way of the World" or my Favorite, "Voices" and speaking of Cheap Trick, I was at a thrift store and found 2 cases of their live cd Music for Hangovers. There were 30 per case and the let me have them for .25 each. :lol:

Correct, It's the only song I ever hear by them on this station except for one rare occurrence when they did play "The Flame"

The DJ must've set the wrong track before he went to the bathroom!!:D

speaking of Cheap Trick, I was at a thrift store and found 2 cases of their live cd Music for Hangovers. There were 30 per case and the let me have them for .25 each. :lol:

Awesome!! I do love that title, too, Music for Hangovers!!:rock:

Lady Gaga and Kelly Clarkson are the two artists who I used to enjoy but I now can't stand. My pop station plays Gaga endlessly and all of her songs sound the same so it's like one never ending song.

Poker Face
Bad Romance
Telephone
Just Dance
Paparazzi
Love Game
Alejandro

I can't stand to listen to any of these songs because my station plays at least two of them every hour of every single day.

I'm still shocked that Van Halen wasn't mentioned anywhere in those articles!!