Decade Stations
It’s all about 10 years worth of songs… to be honest there’s not much to see here from the bar chart and graphs point of view, it’s just Global v Bauer with not many songs on Heart’s mostly automated and/or voice tracked selection against Bauer’s larger collection of decades, and larger record collection too (!!), but it’s always interesting to see what everyone else considers to be THE songs of a decade, because every music buff has their own ideas!
…Of course one can speculate as to whether the songs selected were chosen by someone who’s musical memories were formed with love in the decade concerned, or whether someone “looking in from outside” was given the task – the results can be quite different… An obvious illustration of this being Bryan Adams – Summer of 69 – a total non event when recklessly released in the 80’s, it didn’t even make the top 40 at the time, but in later times has become considered to be one of the biggest and best songs of the 80’s, clearly by people who weren’t there at the time!!
The Absolute family of decade stations used to play a lot more credible and “edgy” selection of tracks, but since they have become part of the Bauer family, the mix of tracks in the 60’s to 90’s section has been ‘dumbed down’ and features a lot more of a “range” of music genres – there’s certainly more pop dance and slightly cheesey offerings than would have been considered acceptable before. The 00’s and 10’s stations have not had much of that happen to them though, but to be honest, with less than 500 songs each on these later additions, it seems that not much time has been spent digging up many nuggets from those decades either – clearly the 80’s and 90’s are the ones that the effort has been put into as far as the music variety is concerned!
Global added Heart 00s to their roster of Decade Stations in May 2022, and more recently Greatest Hits radio has added some decade stations for it’s premium subscribers, providing some interesting comparisons between the big groups.
Analysis: 24 days, up to 17-03-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED: 7771
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 576
Variety factor for this station is : 7.4%
50% OF PLAYS is 158 Songs (27.4% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 100 MOST played songs (17.3% of the total)
or 344 LEAST played songs (59.7% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 18h
10th most played song airs every: 19h 51m
100th most played song airs every: 1d 1h 2m
158th most played song airs every: 1d 3h 25m
No. of songs with 5 or less plays: 112 (19.4%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
ZERO after 14 DAYS
Different songs played in 1 month: 579
..in 3 months: 639, in 6 months: 654
..in 9 months: 665, in 12 months: 684
Top 15 Most Played:
1 [32 plays] Buffalo Springfield/Neil Young – For What It’s Worth
2= [31 plays] each for…
+ Sonny and Cher – I Got You Babe
+ The Young Rascals – Groovin’
4= [30 plays] each for…
+ Band The – The Weight
+ Johnny Cash – Ring Of Fire
+ Love Affair – Everlasting Love
+ Moody Blues – Nights In White Satin
+ Sandie Shaw – Always Something There To Remind Me
+ The Contours – Do You Love Me
10= [29 plays] each for…
+ Donovan – Sunshine Superman
+ Harry Nilsson – Everybody’s Talkin’
+ Lulu – Shout, Ronettes – Baby I Love You
+ The Shirelles – Will You Love Me Tomorrow?
+ The Temptations – Get Ready
Analysis: 27 days, up to 17-03-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED: 7340
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 593
Variety factor for this station is : 8%
50% OF PLAYS is 159 Songs (26.8% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 101 MOST played songs (17% of the total)
or 369 LEAST played songs (62.2% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 21h 36m
10th most played song airs every: 1d 0h
101st most played song airs every: 1d 5h 27m
159th most played song airs every: 1d 8h 24m
No. of songs with 5 or less plays: 209 (35.2%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
ZERO after 26 DAYS
Different songs played in 1 month: 609
..in 3 months: 719, in 6 months: 760
..in 9 months: 770, in 12 months: 773
Top 12 Most Played:
1 [30 plays] Bruce Springsteen – Born To Run
2= [29 plays] each for…
+ Rainbow – Since You’ve Been Gone
+ The Pretenders – Brass In Pocket
4= [28 plays] each for…
+ Climax Blues Band – Couldn’t Get It Right
+ 4 Seasons ft. Frankie Valli – December ’63
6= [27 plays] each for…
+ Detroit Emeralds – Feel The Need In Me
+ George Benson – Give Me The Night
+ Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street
+ Isley Brothers – Summer Breeze
+ Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel – Make Me Smile
+ The Knack – My Sharona
+ The Real Thing – You To Me Are Everything
Analysis: 25 days, up to 17-03-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED: 6428
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 926
Variety factor for this station is : 14.4%
50% OF PLAYS is 218 Songs (23.5% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 132 MOST played songs (14.2% of the total)
or 600 LEAST played songs (64.7% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 1d 0h
10th most played song airs every: 1d 6h
132nd most played song airs every: 1d 18h 51m
218th most played song airs every: 2d 6h 32m
No. of songs with 5 or less plays: 411 (44.3%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
3 after 22 DAYS
Different songs played in 1 month: 981
..in 3 months: 1341, in 6 months: 1679
..in 9 months: 2044, in 12 months: 2398
Top 14 Most Played:
1 [25 plays] Prefab Sprout – King Of Rock N Roll
2 [22 plays] Climie Fisher – Love Changes
3= [21 plays] each for…
+ Guns N Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine
+ John Parr – St Elmo’s Fire
+ Mighty Wah – The Story Of The Blues
+ New Order – True Faith
7= [20 plays] each for…
+ Aztec Camera – Somewhere In My Heart
+ Bronski Beat and Jimmy Somerville – Smalltown Boy
+ Bruce Hornsby – The Way It Is
+ New Order – Blue Monday
+ Paul Simon – You Can Call Me Al
+ Toto – Africa
+ Transvision Vamp – Baby I Don’t Care
+ Yes – Owner Of A Lonely Heart
Analysis: 24 days, up to 17-03-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED: 5989
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 854
Variety factor for this station is : 14.2%
50% OF PLAYS is 222 Songs (25.9% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 141 MOST played songs (16.5% of the total)
or 537 LEAST played songs (62.8% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 1d 8h
10th most played song airs every: 1d 12h
141st most played song airs every: 1d 20h 18m
222nd most played song airs every: 2d 0h
No. of songs with 5 or less plays: 395 (46.2%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
3 after 15 DAYS
Different songs played in 1 month: 900
..in 3 months: 1128, in 6 months: 1357
..in 9 months: 1539, in 12 months: 1697
Top 16 Most Played:
1= [18 plays] each for…
+ Rozalla – Everybody’s Free
+ The Charlatans – One To Another
3= [17 plays] each for…
+ Eagle-Eye Cherry – Save Tonight
+ La’s The – There She Goes
+ Olive – You’re Not Alone
+ Utah Saints – Something Good
7= [16 plays] each for…
+ B52’s – Roam
+ Blind Melon – No Rain
+ Mock Turtles – Can U Dig It
+ Sneaker Pimps – Six Underground
+ Source The and Candi Staton – You Got The Love
+ Stereophonics – I Wouldn’t Believe Your Radio
+ Stone Temple Pilots – Plush
+ Suzanne Vega and Dna – Tom’s Diner
+ The Goo Goo Dolls – Iris
+ The Wannadies – You And Me Song
Analysis: 26 days, up to 17-03-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED: 7050
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 469
Variety factor for this station is : 6.6%
50% OF PLAYS is 170 Songs (36.2% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 106 MOST played songs (22.6% of the total)
or 225 LEAST played songs (47.9% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 21h 31m
10th most played song airs every: 1d 0h 57m
106th most played song airs every: 1d 7h 12m
170th most played song airs every: 1d 12h 42m
No. of songs with 5 or less plays: 8 (1.7%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
ZERO after 9 DAYS
Different songs played in 1 month: 469
..in 3 months: 494, in 6 months: 529
..in 9 months: 547, in 12 months: 548
Top 14 Most Played:
1= [29 plays] each for…
+ Len – Steal My Sunshine
+ The Zutons – Valerie
3 [27 plays] Crazy Town – Butterfly
4= [26 plays] each for…
+ Automatic The – Monster
+ Wheatus – Teenage Dirtbag
6= [25 plays] each for…
+ 50 Cent – In Da Club
+ Black Eyed Peas – I Gotta Feeling
+ Gnarls Barkley – Crazy
+ Outkast – Hey Ya
+ Queens Of The Stone Age – No One Knows
+ Reverend and The Makers – Heavyweight Champion Of The World
+ Rui Da Silva – Touch Me
+ The Dandy Warhols – Bohemian Like You
+ The Futureheads – Hounds Of Love
Analysis: 26 days, up to 17-03-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED: 7020
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 396
Variety factor for this station is : 5.6%
50% OF PLAYS is 115 Songs (29% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 70 MOST played songs (17.6% of the total)
or 228 LEAST played songs (57.5% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 10h 24m
10th most played song airs every: 16h
70th most played song airs every: 22h 17m
115th most played song airs every: 1d 2h
No. of songs with 5 or less plays: 70 (17.6%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
ZERO after 8 DAYS
Different songs played in 1 month: 399
..in 3 months: 451, in 6 months: 507
..in 9 months: 527, in 12 months: 530
Top 10 Most Played:
1 [60 plays] Catfish and The Bottlemen – 7
2 [49 plays] Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks
3 [46 plays] Passenger – Let Her Go
4 [42 plays] Fun – We Are Young
5= [40 plays] each for…
+ Gotye – Somebody That I Used To Know
+ Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys – Empire State Of Mind
7= [39 plays] each for…
+ Hozier – Take Me To Church
+ Justin Timberlake – Can’t Stop The Feeling
+ London Grammar – Strong
+ Professor Green and Emeli Sande – Read All About It
Analysis: 27 days, up to 17-03-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED: 8500
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 146
Variety factor for this station is : 1.7%
50% OF PLAYS is 27 Songs (18.4% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 14 MOST played songs (9.5% of the total)
or 102 LEAST played songs (69.8% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 2h 56m
10th most played song airs every: 3h 14m
14th most played song airs every: 3h 15m
27th most played song airs every: 6h 45m
No. of songs with 5 or less plays: 13 (8.9%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
ZERO after 8 DAYS
Different songs played in 1 month: 146
..in 3 months: 179, in 6 months: 306
Top 12 Most Played:
1 [220 plays] The Killers – Boy
2= [217 plays] each for…
+ Far From Saints ft. Kelly Jones – Let’s Turn This Back Around
+ Kasabian – Strictly Old Skool
4 [216 plays] Gorillaz – Silent Running
5 [215 plays] Sam Fender – Wild Grey Ocean
6 [212 plays] Depeche Mode – Ghosts Again
7 [207 plays] Paramore – This Is Why
8 [205 plays] Inhaler – If You’re Gonna Break My Heart
9 [202 plays] Lewis Capaldi – Pointless
10= [200 plays] each for…
+ Blink 182 – Edging
+ Fall Out Boy – Heartbreak Feels So Good
+ Florence and The Machine – Dream Girl Evil
Analysis: 25 days, up to 14-02-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED: 8154
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 356
Variety factor for this station is : 4.3%
50% OF PLAYS is 122 Songs (34.2% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 78 MOST played songs (21.9% of the total)
or 185 LEAST played songs (51.9% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 15h 23m
10th most played song airs every: 15h 47m
78th most played song airs every: 18h 45m
122nd most played song airs every: 20h 41m
No. of songs with 5 or less plays: 42 (11.7%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
ZERO after 6 DAYS
Different songs played in 1 month: 380
..in 3 months: 402, in 6 months: 550
..in 9 months: 581
Top 13 Most Played:
1= [39 plays] each for…
+ Andrew Gold – Lonely Boy
+ Gerry Rafferty – Baker Street
+ Ike & Tina Turner – Nutbush City Limits
+ Maxine Nightingale – Right Back Where We Started From
+ Peter Gabriel – Solsbury Hill
6= [38 plays] each for…
+ Bachman Turner Overdrive – You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet
+ Captain & Tennille – Love Will Keep Us Together
+ Dire Straits – Sultans Of Swing
+ Joe Jackson – Is She Really Going Out With Him
+ Labelle – Lady Marmalade
+ Pretenders – Brass In Pocket
+ Shocking Blue – Venus
+ Sutherland Brothers & Quiver – Arms Of Mary
Analysis: 26 days, up to 18-03-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED: 8340
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 415
Variety factor for this station is : 4.9%
50% OF PLAYS is 141 Songs (33.9% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 88 MOST played songs (21.2% of the total)
or 211 LEAST played songs (50.8% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 16h 51m
10th most played song airs every: 17h 20m
88th most played song airs every: 22h 17m
141st most played song airs every: 1d 2h
No. of songs with 5 or less plays: 24 (5.7%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
ZERO after 7 DAYS
Different songs played in 1 month: 415
..in 3 months: 471, in 6 months: 512
..in 9 months: 686, in 12 months: 713
Top 10 Most Played:
1= [37 plays] each for…
+ Mai Tai – History
+ Sharon Redd – Can You Handle It
3= [36 plays] each for…
+ Debarge – Rhythm Of The Night
+ Five Star – Rain Or Shine
+ Oliver Cheatham – Get Down Saturday Night
+ Patrice Rushen – Forget Me Nots
+ Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up
+ Shannon – Let The Music Play
+ The Brothers Johnson – Stomp
+ The Temptations – Treat Her Like A Lady
Analysis: 24 days, up to 18-03-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED: 7283
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 306
Variety factor for this station is : 4.2%
50% OF PLAYS is 104 Songs (33.9% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 66 MOST played songs (21.5% of the total)
or 157 LEAST played songs (51.3% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 13h 23m
10th most played song airs every: 14h 24m
66th most played song airs every: 16h 56m
104th most played song airs every: 19h 51m
No. of songs with 5 or less plays: 15 (4.9%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
ZERO after 6 DAYS
Different songs played in 1 month: 306
..in 3 months: 344, in 6 months: 384
..in 9 months: 519, in 12 months: 560
Top 12 Most Played:
1= [43 plays] each for…
+ Chesney Hawkes – The One And Only
+ Cornershop – Brimful Of Asha
3= [42 plays] each for…
+ Hanson – MMMBop
+ Karen Ramirez – Looking For Love
+ The Boo Radleys – Wake Up Boo
6 [41 plays] Michael Bolton – Love Is A Wonderful Thing
7= [40 plays] each for…
+ Annie Lennox – Walking On Broken Glass
+ Charles & Eddie – Would I Lie To You
+ Cyndi Lauper – (Hey Now) Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
+ Donna Lewis – I Love You Always Forever
+ Mr. Big – To Be With You
+ Shania Twain – That Don`t Impress Me Much
Analysis: 26 days, up to 18-03-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED: 9512
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 424
Variety factor for this station is : 4.4%
50% OF PLAYS is 158 Songs (37.2% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 101 MOST played songs (23.8% of the total)
or 203 LEAST played songs (47.8% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 16h 51m
10th most played song airs every: 18h 21m
101st most played song airs every: 21h 31m
158th most played song airs every: 23h 6m
No. of songs with 5 or less plays: 15 (3.5%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
ZERO after 7 DAYS
Different songs played in 1 month: 426
..in 3 months: 452, in 6 months: 525
Top 14 Most Played:
1 [37 plays] Lucy Pearl – Don’t Mess With My Man
2= [36 plays] each for…
+ Gabriella Cilmi – Sweet About Me
+ Janet Jackson – All For You
+ Vanessa Carlton – A Thousand Miles
5= [35 plays] each for…
+ Alcazar – Crying At The Discotheque
+ Jamiroquai – Little L
+ Leann Rimes – Can’t Fight The Moonlight
+ Pixie Lott – Mama Do
9= [34 plays] each for…
+ A1 – Take On Me
+ Charlotte Church – Crazy Chick
+ Milky – Just The Way You Are
+ Natasha Bedingfield – These Words
+ Sarah Whatmore – Automatic
+ Toploader – Dancing In The Moonlight
Analysis: 24 days, to 19-03-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED 8658
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 404
Variety factor for this station is : 4.6%
50% OF PLAYS is 183 Songs (45.2% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 118 MOST played songs (29.2% of the total)
or 154 LEAST played songs (38.1% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 16h 27m
10th most played song every: 22h 9m
118th most played song airs every: 1d 1h 2m
183rd most played song airs every: 1d 2h 10m
No. of songs with 15 or less plays: 10 (2.4%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
ZERO after 5 DAYS
Top 16 Most Played:
1 [35 plays] Elo – Mr Blue Sky
2= [27 plays] for each of…..
+ Captain/Tennille – Do That To Me One More Time, Freda Payne – Band Of Gold, Jimmy Cliff – Wild World, O’Jays – Backstabbers, Roxy Music – Dance Away
7= [26 plays] for each of…
+ Chairmen Of The Board – Give Me Just A Little More Time, Chic – Good Times, Elvis Presley – Burning Love, Glen Campbell – Wichita Lineman, John Paul Young – Love Is In The Air, Kate Bush – Wuthering Heights, KC/Sunshine Band – Get Down Tonight, Michael Jackson – Off The Wall, Paul McCartney and Wings – My Love, Rods – Do Anything You Wanna Do
Analysis: 24 days, to 19-03-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED 8246
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 541
Variety factor for this station is : 6.5%
50% OF PLAYS is 246 Songs (45.4% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 160 MOST played songs (29.5% of the total)
or 204 LEAST played songs (37.7% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 1d 6h 18m
10th most played song every: 1d 6h 18m
160th most played song airs every: 1d 12h
246th most played song airs every: 1d 12h
No. of songs with 10 or less plays: 5 (0.9%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
ZERO after 7 DAYS
Top 14 Most Played:
1= [19 plays] for each of…
+ Climie Fisher – Love Changes Everything, Eurythmics and Aretha – Sisters Are Doin’ It For Themselves, Irene Cara – Fame, Jane Wiedlin – Rush Hour, Madness – Embarrasment, Men Without Hats – Safety Dance, Neneh Cherry – Buffalo Stance, Pointer Sisters – Jump, Clash – Should I Stay Or Should I Go, Communards – Don’t Leave Me This Way, Cure – Close To Me and the Love Cats, Jam – That’s Entertainment, UB40 – Red Red Wine
Analysis: 24 days, to 19-03-2023
NUMBER OF PLAYS IDENTIFIED 8223
Number of DIFFERENT Songs Played: 348
Variety factor for this station is : 4.2%
50% OF PLAYS is 157 Songs (45.1% of the total)
A THIRD OF PLAYS represents:
The 102 MOST played songs (29.3% of the total)
or 134 LEAST played songs (38.5% of the total)
Most played airs on average every: 19h 12m
10th most played song every: 19h 51m
102nd most played song airs every: 22h 9m
157th most played song airs every: 1d 0h
No. of songs with 5 or less plays: 1 (0.2%)
Lowest Number of NEW SONGS on any day:
ZERO after 5 DAYS
Top 11 Most Played:
1= [30 plays] for each of…
+ Alannah Myles – Black Velvet, Stereo MCs – Connected, Youssou N’Dour/Neneh Cherry – 7 Seconds
4= [29 plays] for each of…
+ Billie Myers – Kiss The Rain, Coolio ft. Lv – Gangsta’s Paradise, Daft Punk – Around The World, New Order – Regret, Tasmin Archer – Sleeping Satellite, Charlatans – The Only One I Know, Tina Arena – Chains, Travis – Why Does It Always Rain On Me
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