Obscure Tunes in Everyday Places

[Grog]

The other day, I was wandering  around in my local Walgreens, trying to find "who knows what!" Then what to my wandering ears should I hear on their elevator music channel? The Animal Trainer & the Toad by Mountain. I don't think I've ever heard that anywhere but on vinyl. I got to thinking about it a bit, I've heard quite a few songs in DR's offices & such that I never thought they'd play on the radio. Different Gary Moore tunes ETC.... Anybody else noticed this lately??

[westen44]

Unfortunately, no.  Where I live it's mostly rap, hip hop, country and pop.  Not any music I'd like to speak of. 

[gweimer]

I spent a few months earlier this year trying to figure out what Mountain song I kept hearing at the local Kroger.  It was "The Animal Trainer and the Toad".  They also play Thin Lizzy, Robin Trower ("Little Bit of Sympathy"), and I think I've even heard Metallica.  A couple years back, I heard "Planet Queen" from T. Rex at the store.  The most obscure I ever heard was over a decade ago in Chicago, when my local Jewel had "The Water Song" from Hot Tuna playing.

[Grog]

I notice it fairly frequently, but then forget what I heard. A lot of songs that never had any air time when they came out. A lot of great songs never get played........

[pilgrim9]

I heard Run Run Run by JoJo Gunne in King Soopers a couple weeks ago.

[gweimer]

I've heard "Stone Blue" by Foghat at the Kroger, too.  When did Muzak get hipper than the radio?

My old employer used to play Muzak versions of popular songs, include stuff from The Moody Blues and KISS.  It occurred to me that Muzak revisions of songs are probably providing more session work that actual original music recording.

[chromium]

It wasn't musak in a store, but I heard this cover recently on a Pandora channel.  Did a bit of a double-take! 

http://www.reverbnation.com/ryandavidsontrio/song/10580411-ghost-riders-in-the-sky

[4stringer77]

This topic came up before when I transcribed the bass line. Here it is again in case anyone missed it or hasn't seen it.

http://bassoutpost.com/index.php?topic=7636.msg123866#msg123866

[lowend1]

Generally speaking, the music in retail establishments is pulled from streaming audio. The particular "channel" at any given time is usually determined by the manager on duty. Some stores have their choices restricted by corporate, but just as if you or I select an internet radio station, almost anything could pop up.

[nofi]

kroger is way hipper than radio. i have heard many good songs there but "walk on the wild side" is the only one i can remember at the moment. our local walgreens seems to be doing likewise.

[4stringer77]

It wasn't musak in a store, but I heard this cover recently on a Pandora channel.  Did a bit of a double-take!  

http://www.reverbnation.com/ryandavidsontrio/song/10580411-ghost-riders-in-the-sky

This is great! I've been dusting off the ole upright and bringing the big girl out for some action under the stage lights. It's been surprising how fun it is playing stuff other than jazz and classical on it. Bill Withers' "Use Me" was one that was particularly enjoyable.

[Dave W]

I don't hear anything interesting in stores. Am I shopping at the wrong places?

[gearHed289]

Funny, just last night I was at the dreaded mall doing some X-mas shopping. At a place called Anthropologie, and all of a sudden I start hearing the Cocteau Twins "Iceblink Luck". What?!?! Cool...

[Hörnisse]

Around 1998, after a gig, the band was eating at Whataburger and I heard "Sail On Sailor" by The Beach Boys.  The employees were probably not too impressed with me singing at 3 a.m.

[lowend1]

I don't hear anything interesting in stores. Am I shopping at the wrong places?

Probably more like the wrong time of day.