Survey: The most played song on radio, ever

[top30countdown]

I've always wondered what song has received more airplay on radio stations than any other, ever. I know that no one will ever be able to answer this question, but I want some input from music fans like me and you. What song(s) do you think would top the list? (By the way, I'm looking at every format of radio, from the early days of radio airplay until today, based on detections - not audience, in the US only.) I don't think such a list would resemble chart success too much. It's kind of hard to make an educated guess. Many songs from the 60's are "staples" or "classics" today, but chart runs for those songs were very short compared to today. There were a lot of big hits from the 80's, but those songs have had only half the number of years of airplay that songs from the 60's have had.

So what do you guys (and gals) think? Please post your thoughts!

I'm gonna go with "Every Breath You Take" by the Police. A huge hit in the summer of '83, and continues to be in the Top 50 at AC (based on a "no recurrent rule," of course.)
It's too soon to tell, but I think "Smooth" will eventually make the list.

The Beatles have had so many big hits, many of which are recognizable even by today's generation. However, having all those hits in a span of less than 7 years makes me think that there aren't any with substantial enough airplay to make an all-time airplay list.

[galvanize]

And the final source: www.mann-weil.com/biographies.html

"YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELING" has been honored as the most performed song in the BMI catalogue and the most performed song of the twentieth century. It has garnered more than fourteen million performances, the first BMI song ever to achieve that milestone. If played back-to-back 24 hours a day, this equals more than 65 years of continuous airplay. The rock and roll classic has also received 14 pop awards ...another record achievement and The Righteous Brothers' recording has been selected for inclusion in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

[irock]

Aug 13, 2008 11:48:17 GMT -5 top30countdown said:

I'm gonna go with "Every Breath You Take" by the Police. A huge hit in the summer of '83, and continues to be in the Top 50 at AC (based on a "no recurrent rule," of course.)

I bet you're right, or at least that it would be in the top 3. It was the first song I thought of when I saw the thread title. It was a massive hit on almost every chart that existed except for Country and maybe Christian Contemporary. I hated it after about a year, although I've come to like it a little bit since. I hear it when I'm grocery shopping sometimes (the other day at Kroger, I heard 'Word Up'. Weird.)

[Pipa]

Aug 13, 2008 11:48:17 GMT -5 top30countdown said:

It's too soon to tell, but I think "Smooth" will eventually make the list.

This came on shuffle right when I read this...crazy.

I think I agree with "Every Breath You Take"...or rather, any 80s pop song that has been overplayed to the point where it has no meaning.

[Libra]

I have to wonder where "Another Night" by Real McCoy would place on a list like this, given that so far, it's the only song to last a full year on the Pop chart (during the two years where there was no recurrent rule, but still...). I think its biggest detractor would be that it doesn't seem to get the Gold play that other big hits do. Although, I have to think that there would be quite a few others who'd have lasted a full year or more if recurrent rules never existed...

[shocker]

Here are some of my picks for most overplayed hits -

"I Love You Always Forever" by Donna Lewis
"Jack and Diane" by John Cougar Mellencamp
"What a Fool Believes" by the Doobie Brothers
"Every Breath You Take" by the Police
"Smooth" by Santana feat. Rob Thomas
"Everything You Want" by Vertical Horizon
"Don't Speak" by No Doubt
"Always Something There to Remind Me" by Naked Eyes
"(Everything I Do) I Do it For You" by Bryan Adams
"Tainted Love" by Soft Cell

[tico]

I definitely agree with "Every Breath You Take". I recall on a thread I created about EBYT, I said that it might've been the most overplayed song ever (though I do like it). Though very few CHRs play it, it still gets massive airplay on AC, classic rock/hits, variety hits and maybe even oldies stations.

I'll also give a nod to "Yesterday" by the Beatles. I believe, at one point, it was the most played song ever on radio.

[shocker]

Aug 27, 2008 22:39:29 GMT -5 @tico said:

I'll also give a nod to "Yesterday" by the Beatles. I believe, at one point, it was the most played song ever on radio.

The Beatles' original version was never too overplayed. I'm sure that because it was such a huge hit, it was played a lot in the '60s, and possibly even into the '70s, but it really hasn't been heard too much on the radio since then.

"Yesterday" has been one of the most covered songs in history. Maybe that's what you meant????
???

[Hervard]

Aug 25, 2008 3:18:08 GMT -5 shocker said:

Here are some of my picks for most overplayed hits -

"I Love You Always Forever" by Donna Lewis
"Jack and Diane" by John Cougar Mellencamp
"What a Fool Believes" by the Doobie Brothers
"Every Breath You Take" by the Police
"Smooth" by Santana feat. Rob Thomas
"Everything You Want" by Vertical Horizon
"Don't Speak" by No Doubt
"Always Something There to Remind Me" by Naked Eyes
"(Everything I Do) I Do it For You" by Bryan Adams
"Tainted Love" by Soft Cell

Of those songs, I'd say "What A Fool Believes" is definitely my favorite.

I think you KNOW what my least favorite of the bunch is!

[Whi$tlin' Pete]

How did "Always Something There To Remind Me" receive this status? The song only reached number 10, but I've been hearing this all the time for the last couple of years. Rune Knight mentioned "Another Night" and its massive chart run. If there were no recurrent rules, "Yeah" would have spent over 100 weeks in the Top 50. "The Way I Are" is still in the Top 50 right now with over 60 weeks. I would have to vote for "Every Breath You Take." Hey, at least it's not "Macarena."

[shocker]

I actually liked "Every Breath You Take". It was 1 of my favorites from '83. It just became spun too much thereafter.

Can't stand "Jack and Diane" by John Cougar-Menstrualcramp! To this day, I can't figure out why that piece of crap spent 4 weeks at #1, and became his biggest hit ever. There were so many better songs in 1982.

[DJDaveMick69]

More contenders:

I just called to say I love you-Stevie Wonder
Waiting for a girl like you-Foreigner
Unchained melody-Righteous Brothers
Don't go breaking my heart-Elton John & Kiki Dee
Can't fight this feeling-REO

[Michael1973]

Nobody's mentioned "Brown Eyed Girl" or "Living on a Prayer"?

[jdanton2]

i wonder if Billboard and BDS have kept track of this since the early 90's. if they have i wonder if it will ever be posted.



found this list from 2005.

freewayjam.blogspot.com/2005/08/lists-most-played-songs-in-pop-history.html



Monday, August 15, 2005

Lists: Most Played Songs In Pop History

Here's a list of songs that have been played the most times on the radio, according to BMI, which has collected such data for artist royalty payment purposes since 1939. Striking about this list is how the best-selling singles of all time are not necessarily the most played on the radio. Naturally, older songs dominate the list; it takes time to play a song 8 million times. The Righteous Brothers hold the top spot with their 1960's recording. The Police are highest among performers from the 1980's; "Every Breath You Take" has been played a whole lot, judging from the company on the list. Also from the 1980's is Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath My Wings", which I somehow never heard until she did it at a 9-11 requiem for firefighters. The Beatles and the Association (!) are the highest ranked rock groups, albeit with very middle-of-the-road pop songs. Bette Midler, Gladys Knight, and Rita Coolidge (!!) have the most played songs by female artists.



How many times has your favorite song been played on the radio?

Over 8 Million Times

The Righteous Brothers - You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'

Over 7 Million Times

The Association - Never My Love
The Beatles - Yesterday
Ben E. King - Stand By Me
Otis Redding - Dock Of The Bay

Over 6 Million Times


Simon and Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson
Johnny Rivers - Baby, I Need Your Loving
Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind
The Police - Every Breath You Take
Roy Orbison - Oh Pretty Woman
Gladys Knight - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
The Everly Brothers - All I Have To Do Is Dream
The Platters - Only You
The Chi-lights - Oh Girl
Elton John - Your Song
James Taylor - How Sweet It Is
Rita Coolidge - Higher & Higher
Ray Charles - I Can't Stop Loving You
Bette Midler - Wind Beneath My Wings
The Beatles - Michelle
The Fifth Dimension - Up, Up and Away
The Drifters - On Broadway
The Platters - Twilight Time
Frank Sinatra - Strangers in the Night
Neil Sedaka - Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
The Drifters - Save the Last Dance for Me

Over 5 Million Times

Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly With His Song
Marcello Ciorciolini - More
Dolly Parton - I Will Always Love You
Percy Sledge - When A Man Loves A Woman
Glen Campbell - Gentle On My Mind
The Beatles - Something
Simon and Garfunkel - Sounds Of Silence
Simon and Garfunkel - Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon and Garfunkel - Scarborough Fair
Glen Campbell - By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Merilee Rush - Angel Of The Morning
The Association - Cherish
The Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love
Credence Clearwater Revival - Proud Mary
Bobby Hebb - Sunny
Nilsson - Everybody's Talkin'
Little Anthony and The Imperials - Goin' Out Of My Head
Elvis Presley - Suspicious Minds
The Classics IV - Traces
Guy Lombardo - Canadian Sunset
The Turtles - Happy Together
Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind
Johnny Rivers - Baby I Need Your Lovin'
The Cascades - Rhythm Of The Rain
The Four Seasons - Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
Willie Nelson - Always on My Mind
Bette Midler - The Rose
Don Henley - The Heart of the Matter
The Box Tops - The Letter
The Casinos - Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye
Englebert Humperdinck - Release Me
The Drifters - Up on the Roof
Eric Clapton - Layla
Sam Cooke - You Send Me

Over 4 Million Times


Ray Price - For the Good Times
The Carpenters - We've Only Just Begun
Sam Cooke - What a Wonderful World
Anne Murray - Snowbird
Carl Carlton - Everlasting Love
The Vogues - My Special Angel
Charlie Rich - The Most Beautiful Girl
Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl
Stevie Wonder - My Cherie Amour
The Association - Windy
Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes - If You Don't Know Me By Now
Jimmy Buffett - Margaritaville
Engelbert Humperdinck - Spanish Eyes
The Monkees - Daydream Believer
Elton John - Daniel
The Eagles - Take It Easy
The Bellamy Brothers - Let Your Love Flow
Elvis Presley - Don't Be Cruel
The Doobie Brothers - Listen to the Music
Wayne Fontana and the Mindbenders - A Groovy Kind of Love
Roy Orbison - Crying
Jackie DeShannon - Put A Little Love In Your Heart
Elton John - Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me
Sami Smith - Help Me Make It Through the Night
Eagles - Best of My Love
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band - Mr. Bojangles
James Taylor - Fire and Rain
Roy Orbison - Blue Bayou
Matt Monroe - Born Free
Brook Benton - It's Just A Matter Of Time
The Beatles - Let It Be
Olivia Newton John - I Honestly Love You
Lynn Anderson - I Never Promised You A Rose Garden
Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now

Over 3 Million Times


Engelbert Humperdinck - After The Lovin'
Gilbert O'Sullivan - Alone Again, Naturally
The Beatles - And I Love Her
Gerry Rafferty - Baker Street
Charlie Rich - Behind Closed Doors
The Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love
The Beach Boys - California Girls
The Everly Brothers - Cathy's Clown
Mason Williams - Classical Gas
Elton John - Crocodile Rock
Sam Cooke - Cupid
B J Thomas - Hooked On A Feeling
Eagles - Desperado
Orleans - Dance With Me
Martha Reeves - Dancing In The Street
The Lovin' Spoonful - Do You Believe In Magic
Diana Ross - Do You Know Where You're Going To
Jackson Browne - Doctor My Eyes
Hamilton, Joe Frank and Reynolds - Don't Pull Your Love
Fleetwood Mac - Don't Stop
The Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby
Credence Clearwater Revival - Down On The Corner
Bobby Darin - Dream Lover
Stevie Nicks - Dreams
Eddie Rabbit - Drivin' My Life Away
Kansas - Dust In The Wind
Marty Robbins - El Paso
Don Henley - The End Of The Innocence
Bryan Adams - Everything I Do, I Do It For You
Harpers Bizarre - Feelin' Groovy
Roberta Flack - The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
The Carpenters - For All We Know
Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life
Buffalo Springfield - For What It's Worth
The Youngbloods - Get Together
Donnie Osmond - Go Away Little Girl
The Beach Boys - Good Vibrations
Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Chicago - Hard To Say I'm Sorry
Olivia Newton John - Have You Never Been Mellow
Eagles - Heartache Tonight
Todd Rundgren - Hello It's Me
The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun
The Beatles - Hey Jude
B.J. Thomas - Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song
Steve Winwood - Higher Love
Simon and Garfunkel - Homeward Bound
Michal Bolton - How Am I Supposed To Live Without You
The Bee Gees - How Can You Mend A Broken Heart
The Bee Gees - How Deep Is Your Love
The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself
Eagles - I Can't Tell You Why
Elton John - I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues
Eddie Rabbitt - I Love A Rainy Night
Barrie Manilow - I Write The Songs
England Dan and John Ford Coley - I'd Really Love To See You Tonite
John Lennon - Imagine
Bertie Higgins - Key Largo
Roger Miller - King Of The Road
Steam - Kiss Him Goodbye
The Beach Boys - Kokomo
Neil Sedaka - Laughter In The Rain
Bill Withers - Lean On Me
Olivia Newton John - Let Me Be There
Little Eva - The Loco-Motion
The Beatles - The Long and Winding Road
Elvis Presley - Love Me Tender
Captain and Tennille - Love Will Keep Us Together
Barrie White - Love's Theme
Rod Stewart - Maggie May
Barrie Manilow - Mandy
Chuck Berry - Memphis
Tommy James - Mony Mony
Frankie Valli - My Eyes Adored You
George Harrison - My Sweet Lord
Frank Sinatra - My Way
Eagles - New Kid In Town
Carly Simon - Nobody Does It Better
Stephen Bishop - On and On
The Beatles - Penny Lane
Johnny Rivers - Poor Side Of Town
Paul Anka - Put Your Head On My Shoulder
The Four Tops - Reach Out, I'll Be There
Little River Band - Reminiscing
The Rolling Stones - Satisfaction
The Supremes - Someday We'll Be Together
Dan Hill - Sometimes When We Touch
The Righteous Brothers - Soul and Inspiration
Glen Campbell - Southern Nights
Blood, Sweat and Tears - Spinning Wheel
The Classics IV - Spooky
Orleans - Still The One
Seals and Crofts - Summer Breeze
Eddie Cochran - Summertime Blues
Eagles - Tequila Sunrise
Buddy Holly - That'll Be The Day
Tony Orlando - Tie A Yellow Ribbon
The Zombies - Time Of The Seasons
The Bee Gees - To Love Somebody
The Byrds - Turn Turn Turn
The Drifters - Under The Boardwalk
The Everly Brothers - Wake Up Little Suzie
Dave Mason - We Just Disagree
The Fifth Dimension - Wedding Bell Blues
The Supremes - Where Did Our Love Go?
Michael Murphy - Wildfire
Joe Cocker - You Are So Beautiful
Firefall - You Are The Woman
Roy Orbison - You Got It
Blood, Sweat and Tears - You Made Me So Very Happy

[johnnywest]

In the last 10 years, I'd bet that "Every Breath You Take" has certainly moved up the list, as more and more stations shift their playlists to later dates.

[gonecountry]

Every Breath You Take

Love the Police. Never want to hear this song ever again.

The definition of overplayed.

[Verisimilitude]

Last radio/tv performance count for "Every Breath You Take" was at 12 million plays in the US according to BMI.

[Deleted]

"Nobody Does Is Better" has been played over 3 million times? PLEASE send me the stations that are overplaying this!