They say if you really like music, you shouldn't get into radio. Unfortunately, that's kind of true...

I can't count how many times someone has called and requested a song that they don't know the title of, or who even sings it. That's part of the job, and you learn to coax something out of the caller that will help you help them. Some people try humming it (which never, ever works), some people have an idea of what the song's about ("it's a song about love in an elevator") but the worst are people who call and give you a lyric that is not even close to what's being said.

Real call -

"What can I help you with"

"There's a song you play that I absolutely love, and I was wondering if you could play it for me"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Well, I don't know who sings it, or what it's called, but he keeps singing about pizza"

"Um, I'm gonna need a little more than that. Do you know any of the lyrics?"

"Only one part, but he sings it over and over. It's 'Can't you smell the pizza burning'"

"I'm sorry, I've never heard that song. Are you sure we play it?"

"Oh yes, all of the time! How stupid do you have to be to not know what songs are on your station?!?!?!"

"Apparently pretty stupid, since I haven't hung up on you yet..."

 

The song was Beast Of Burden by the Rolling Stones. They never called back. This happens all of the time, and you'd be amazed at how many people get extremely angry that you can't figure out their weird version of some tune. After watching this video, I feel kind of bad. Not too much, though.

To be fair, I thought the Beastie Boys were singing "engine running hotter than a boy named kettle" in No Sleep Till Brooklyn. Turns out it was "boiling kettle", which actually makes sense. I'm kind of embarrassed thinking about all of the times that I sang those lyrics loud and proud in crowds...

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