Posted by Allan Sniffen on August 01, 2007 at 09:05:45:
Ok... so I was the one leading the charge on "Light My Fire". In that case, I gave specific reasons as to why they needed to play the long version of that song (because it's what most people know).
BUT... CBS-FM should NOT be playing the long versions of songs like "Spill the Wine" and "Suite Judy Blue Eyes". Same reason. You've got to play the version most people know and in these cases, it's the *short* version.
CBS-FM is all about familiarity. No matter what decade it focuses on, listeners choose the station to hear what they know. It's like comfort food for the ears. That's why playing new songs is out on such a format, even if occasional.
The station must focus on song versions that are most familiar. It does not matter whether or not it was the original hit version (although, in the vast majority of cases, that will be the version most people know). I thought "Suite Judy Blue Eyes" was never going to end yesterday. Even the short version is too long (but that's a personal thing--I would play the song).
I know... can't keep everyone happy....