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Post by Scott Lakefield on May 22, 2009 6:30:21 GMT -5
Reachingforthestars, you've got me dragging out my soapbox...  Don't think you can do something better until you've at least tried to do something that is at least similar. While I've never worked on AT40, I do work in radio, and let me tell you, it's not as easy as it looks. Putting together a show like AT40 is EXTREMELY detail-oriented...and thus fraught with potential for something to fall through the cracks. Remember...the casual listener isn't going to catch the errors we're talking about. And some, like the "She Blinded Me With Science" example aren't truly errors...but more a matter of playing the version of a song that was popular on the RADIO at the time. The point I was trying to make in my post yesterday was that the liner, written to in a flashy way say that Billboard's chart was based on airplay AND sales, could sometimes be inaccurate if we're being picky. But technically that wasn't an error. After all, you COULD buy "She Blinded Me With Science." Just in a different version. Now that I think about that further, though, I had the 45 of that song as a kid. I don't remember the difference, but I do remember that each side of the 45 had a different version of the song. Could one of these be the one AT40 played? |
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Post by reachinforthestars on May 22, 2009 10:41:25 GMT -5
Reachingforthestars, you've got me dragging out my soapbox... That's great! Although some potential errors might be forgivable, I believe that someone who can't figure out how to play the correct side of a 45 should not be an AT40 employee. Give that job to you or someone who cares enough about the program. Agree? |
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Post by mstgator on May 22, 2009 18:05:21 GMT -5
Now that I think about that further, though, I had the 45 of that song as a kid. I don't remember the difference, but I do remember that each side of the 45 had a different version of the song. Could one of these be the one AT40 played? Interesting... my copy of the 45 (on Harvest) had a song called "Flying North" on the B-side, which matches the B-side (on Capitol) listed in Whitburn's "Top Pop Singles". So either you had a very rare commercial copy that hasn't been accounted for, or somehow ended up with a promo or European 45. |
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Post by at40petebattistini on May 23, 2009 6:55:44 GMT -5
Reachingforthestars, you've got me dragging out my soapbox... ... Scott, I agree with you 100%. I can only add this analogy. If you read a daily newspaper that consistently provided readers with misinformation, you'd eventually stop reading it. If someone believes that "...the staff behind the scenes at AT40 were clueless about many aspects of music. The number of errors in the program were mind-boggling...", then why listen? |
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Post by Scott Lakefield on May 23, 2009 8:07:54 GMT -5
Now that I think about that further, though, I had the 45 of that song as a kid. I don't remember the difference, but I do remember that each side of the 45 had a different version of the song. Could one of these be the one AT40 played? Interesting... my copy of the 45 (on Harvest) had a song called "Flying North" on the B-side, which matches the B-side (on Capitol) listed in Whitburn's "Top Pop Singles". So either you had a very rare commercial copy that hasn't been accounted for, or somehow ended up with a promo or European 45. My memory is sometimes questionable, but I *DO* remember it being on Capitol records. Perhaps this explains it? |
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Post by Scott Lakefield on May 23, 2009 8:08:49 GMT -5
Reachingforthestars, you've got me dragging out my soapbox... That's great! Although some potential errors might be forgivable, I believe that someone who can't figure out how to play the correct side of a 45 should not be an AT40 employee. Give that job to you or someone who cares enough about the program. Agree? No. It's not a matter of "care"/"don't care." It's a matter of mistakes can...and will...happen. I'm a perfectionist, absolutely. But I still screw up. |
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Post by Scott Lakefield on May 23, 2009 8:09:09 GMT -5
Reachingforthestars, you've got me dragging out my soapbox... ... Scott, I agree with you 100%. I can only add this analogy. If you read a daily newspaper that consistently provided readers with misinformation, you'd eventually stop reading it. If someone believes that "...the staff behind the scenes at AT40 were clueless about many aspects of music. The number of errors in the program were mind-boggling...", then why listen? Perfectly said, Pete. |
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Post by reachinforthestars on May 23, 2009 10:47:19 GMT -5
Reachingforthestars, you've got me dragging out my soapbox... ... Scott, I agree with you 100%. I can only add this analogy. If you read a daily newspaper that consistently provided readers with misinformation, you'd eventually stop reading it. If someone believes that "...the staff behind the scenes at AT40 were clueless about many aspects of music. The number of errors in the program were mind-boggling...", then why listen? I knew it wouldn't take long for the radio people to gang up on me.  Pete, your analogy does not work here. There are other newspapers to choose from. AT40 is the ONLY option and there is no alternative to hearing a Billboard Top 40 countdown program from the 70's/early 80's. So I would prefer to hear an error prone program than not hear AT40 at all. I can say that back in the 70's when I began recognizing the continuous mistakes, I learned to NEVER take anything the AT40 writers says as gospel. I don't even think all of the Long Distance Dedications are legit. But I love Caseys voice and no one can introduce a song like he can. And nowadays it is fun to look back at all of the mistakes. So maybe I enjoy AT40 for different reasons than other people do? And keep in mind, it was Scott who introduced the subject of AT40 being sloppy in this thread. It was not me. |
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Post by reachinforthestars on May 23, 2009 10:52:23 GMT -5
Interesting... my copy of the 45 (on Harvest) had a song called "Flying North" on the B-side, which matches the B-side (on Capitol) listed in Whitburn's "Top Pop Singles". So either you had a very rare commercial copy that hasn't been accounted for, or somehow ended up with a promo or European 45. My memory is sometimes questionable, but I *DO* remember it being on Capitol records. Perhaps this explains it? The Capital records release also has "Flying North" on the B side. |
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Post by at40petebattistini on May 24, 2009 12:48:12 GMT -5
To reachinforthestars,
>>>Pete, your analogy does not work here. There are other newspapers to choose from.<<<
Actually, I believe the analogy does work. Many communities now have only one newspaper to rely on -- it's the 'authority' source for detailed, local information.
But if we can, I'd like to move on.
All of us know that errors -- careless or otherwise -- in all aspects of AT40's production have occurred practically from day one. And we've all pointed them out when discovered. Regardless, as you indicated, all listeners -- you and me included -- have enjoyed Billboard's Top 40 along with Casey's introductions. There was *no better* combination.
If you want to talk about errors and omissions, look no further than my book. Someone could make a case about the 50+, 'mind-boggling' needed changes. (But please don't -- I really tried for 100% accuracy!) You may not know that I'm my own greatest critic and I'm anxiously awaiting the opportunity for a second printing so what was missed, or messed up, the first time can be rectified.
Believe it or not, I've been listening to some 80s programs for the first time lately. I've noticed some mistakes, including a few that were corrected in future programs. But overall I've really been impressed with program content. I've never been a fan of the four-hour countdown but, in retrospect, Casey and his staff can continue to be credited for pulling together the best elements possible to make AT40 happen, week after week and year after year. I'm certain all who access this board would agree that any negative is outweighed by a thousand positives.
<<<I don't even think all of the Long Distance Dedications are legit.>>>
I agree with you 100%. In fact, I believe I've identified at least one LDD that cannot be legitimate based on its background information. But even if there were 100 LDDs that were fiction, so what? If someone was creative enough to pull our heartstrings and unknowingly pull our legs at the same time, that's OK with me. I'm sure the staff did their best to determine if letters met the criteria, which included Casey's ability to deliver it as no one else could. Even a fictitious letter could, and probably did, add to program quality.
So where does this discussion go from here? I hope we can agree that there's always room for improvement -- that's how we make things better. And reachinforthestars, if you're still with me here, look for a PM from me. To all others, enjoy the Memorial Day weekend!
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Post by reachinforthestars on May 24, 2009 13:34:40 GMT -5
Pete, Nice post and generally I agree with your sentiments. I certainly didn't intend on this thread to turn into an AT40 bashing session. My analogy about how one might think AT40 staff were like assembly line workers was probably a bit over the top. Especially when I agree that perfection is something all of us strive for, but rarely attain. It's just that some of the errors were "mind-boggling" (like playing the wrong side of a 45). That particular one continues to defy all sound reason. I might not be able to completely appreciate the challenges with putting together a weekly radio program, but I realize it would be a lot of work depending on the number of staff involved. I was studying at school and working multiple jobs during my exposure to AT40 originally. Music was only a hobby and when someone like myself could recognize the errors, I would think the people who do this for a living would have caught them. To me, their jobs would have been my "dream job" and I would have invested my heart and soul into the effort. Today my life is no less busy with work and family, but I am hoping an early retirement will allow me to expand my interest in music beyond just listening. Including the opportunity to FINALLY read your book, which I have been anxiously wanting to do for some time now. Don't worry, I will be gentle! Have a great weekend yourself and I'm sure I can safely speak for everyone by saying we enjoy your input on this board immensely and appreciate all that you do behind the scenes. |
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Post by vince on May 25, 2009 1:06:01 GMT -5
I noticed several edited songs on Premiere's 5/6/78 show . Some were original AT40 edits like on "Jack & Jill", "Imaginary Lover", "With A Little Luck", "Lay Down Sally", & "Love Is Like Oxygen". "Deacon Blue" and "Take A Chance On Me" had a different edit from their original AT40 edit. I don't recall AT40 editing "Stayin' Alive", ""Baby Hold On" & "Shadow Dancing", so I think those were Premiere edits. The segment containing "Shadow Dancing" clocked in at 8:48 on the Premiere show. The original AT40 cue sheet lists that segment as 9:55. I caught one song that was lengthened by Premiere, "Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad" was the Lp version.
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Post by Scott Lakefield on May 26, 2009 10:43:07 GMT -5
And keep in mind, it was Scott who introduced the subject of AT40 being sloppy in this thread. It was not me. No -- I was pointing out that that liner, if one was being picky, didn't always make sense to the more intent listeners like us. Anyway, we all had the opportunity to air our opinions, but I'm thinking this should all be filed under "Enough said" at this point. |
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Post by Josh Joel's Top 40 on Jun 5, 2009 20:46:04 GMT -5
The longer version of "Borderline" was played on 5/19/84. And I heard it on the June 30, 1984 show as well just last night! I can't stand the album version of the song, it's blah. |
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Post by pandy on Jun 8, 2009 15:26:51 GMT -5
Did they use a 'remix' version of "Do You Love Me?" by The Countours during its 8 week run beginning on the 7/2/1988 show? It is not on the 45 or the release version. Nor it is on the "Dirty Dacing" soundtrack. I did find it on the "Sleepwalkers" soundtrack CD, but a shorter version.
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