On the air, early 1970's, click to hear Steve in the summer of 1974
There is an old saying in the radio business that explains annoying songs quite nicely. It goes along these lines:
3 stages of annoyance for the deejay
1. As a deejay, when you first play a song, even if you like it, nobody in the listening audience will notice it.
2. When you are getting really tired of that song, people in the listening audience will start paying attention to the tune.
3. When you are so sick of the song that you want to break the disc and ban the performer for life, the radio audience will decide they really like the song and make it a big hit.
Fact is, people like familiar tunes and, as a song grows on them, it usually becomes more popular. I give you this story to better justify my explanation below.
It was 1974 and I was a rock n' roll jock. One of the songs that we were playing over and over again in the top forty rotation was really long (around five minutes) and, redundant as all get out, and it had become a big hit. Other than the opening riffs, which I kind of liked, the song bored me silly.
My annoying song entry has since been featured in movie soundtracks and commercials. There is, and it is hard to believe, even a Christmas version.
I am going to route you to the offending member. I will be curious to hear your comments. Do you like it and consider it a classic? Or, are you sick of it and you too would like to break the disc and ban Randy Bachman from your auditory space? Us old radio guys want to know.
Steven L. Smith
Bellingham WA Home Inspections
Check out "This Day In History" -- music and vintage television from the 1950's through the 1980's. I enjoy writing these articles because they take me back to my days in radio broadcasting. Click on Elvis' gold record, below, to revisit those golden hits of yesteryear.
I used to DJ as well and I know what you mean about music. I thought about this contest as well and couldnt decide if Frank Stallone was a worth contender or if I needed to dig deeper.
Shane,
I date myself but the only Stallone I know is Sly.
I could just crow to that song all day long!
I wonder how the performers truly feel about having to play their hits at any concert they do? At least they are getting paid for it.
Maggie,
I think it depends on the song. If they like it, great. If they think it was one of their worst efforts they hate to have to do it.
Raven,
Tell your boss to get off his duff and get to inspectin', since you obviously do nothing but crow.
Lisa,
I am with you on that.
Steve - Thanks for entering this month's contest. Sorry I just realized that I forgot to respond to your email from awhile back. I guess you can tell what my response would have been about embedding YouTube videos. :-)
By the way, VERY cool of you to include the audio of yourself from your radio days.
Steve, I like the song... Makes me want to go down to the office supply store right now - LOL
Steve, I like the song... Makes me want to go down to the office supply store right now - LOL
takin care of business - EVERYDAY ---- look at ME!!! I'm Self-Employed too, lol. I Love this song - sorry it drives you batty!
Steve,
Saw Randy Bachman on a documentary last night. He was singing you ain't seen nothing yet. I'm sure that one ranks right up there on the annoying songs list. He looks the same, but waaay older.
I'm surprised no one has asked, Steve Lewis? A stage name. I mean Smith is such a forgettable, hard to pronouce name. :0
I like how you included the blurb about the energy crisis. I remember that, I was in 5th grade.
Steve, you need to do one of those short videos and post it. Don't tell Charles but he has done some pretty good logos with that stupid raven. I sorta like the one above in a comment.
I'm not much of a BTO fan. They were a bit before my time.
Sean Allen
Well,
I guess that is why it was a hit, most of you liked it.
Well,
I guess that is why it was a hit, most of you liked it.
Steve - You DO have an awesome voice! Love the post - i am indifferent to the song, personally, could take it or leave it. But the POST? Awesome!
James,
Back then, now too I suspect, most radio people do not use their real last name. Or maybe they usede a different first name. It is a high profile enough job that people will call and bug you at home or find your address. You want to be annonymous.
Mine, Steve Lewis, is actually my middle name Louis. Over the years it was spelled both ways. Randy is quite the popular guy in Canada. That aircheck I posted actually had ain't seen nothing yet on it. That tune I actually liked.
Leesa,
Thanks. I enjoyed my early years in radio. Management was not nearly as much fun.
Steve, detested that tune then, and frankly have no use for it now. The popularity of BTO I really never understood. Give me Foghat, Budgie, Moxie...Heck, I'll even take The Sweet!! Spare me the BTO....
Scott,
I liked the Guess Who better than BTO, by far.
Anything that becomes an anthem is probably deserving of being shot down in flames...
Russel,
You must be right on that one because I am in the minority.
Lane,
You have a theory there that holds some water for sure.
Steven - BTO just came up in the office the other day. I was ashamed that I knew the initials. Is it just me or is the presenter completely loaded in that video?
I'm in total agreement with you! Over-rated and over-played! Congrats on the contest!
I would just assume stab myself in the eye than listen to that song (BTW...thanks to your video I am now one eye down!)...but this comes from my stint in the mid 90's going to Karoake bars...there is ALWAYS some drunk fool (or group of fools) who decides to belt it out with no regard for my mental health:)!!
As for the DeeJays...they just don't mak'em like they used to...my all time favorite was Wolfman Jack!! Thanks for the memories:)