The first Video Programming chart appeared in the Billboard issue dated January 29, 1983. Consisting solely of self-reported information on the frequency of airings of music videos from MTV, the chart listed Weekend Events (upcoming concerts and specials) as well as four levels of airplay, all dated January 19, 1983:
- New Videos Added
- Heavy Rotation (3-4 plays a day)
- Medium Rotation (2-3 plays a day)
- Light Rotation (1-2 plays a day)
Bobby’s B100.fm plays some of those songs listed in the four categories nearly thirty-five years down the line, including two of the New Videos Added: “One on One” by Hall & Oates and “Photograph” by Def Leppard.
Among the Light Rotation songs heard on B100.fm is Thomas Dolby’s quirky little “She Blinded Me With Science” though I humbly submit the following songs from that twenty-eight title list for consideration as possible additions to the B100 library:
- “How Do You Spell Love” – The Fabulous Thunderbirds
- “Forever” – Little Steven & the Disciples Of Soul
- “Boys Are Back In Town” – The Bus Boys
- “I Love It Loud” – KISS
- “What About Me” – Moving Pictures
- “The Kids Are The Same” – Paul Collins’ Beat
- “Keep It Tight” – Single Bullet Theory
- “All Touch” – Rough Trade
Moving up to Medium Rotation, B100.fm plays nearly all of the twenty-one songs listed including:
- “A Little Too Late” – Pat Benatar
- “Family Man” – Hall & Oates
- “It’s Raining Again” – Supertramp
- “Africa” – Toto
- “Goodbye To You” – Scandal
- “Winds Of Change” – Jefferson Starship
- “Save It For Later” – The English Beat
- “Love My Way” – Psychedelic Furs
- “I Know There’s Something Going On” – Frida
- “Come On Eileen” – Dexy’s Midnight Runners
- “Friend Or Foe” and “Desperate But Not Serious” – Adam Ant
- “1999” – Prince
- “Do You Really Want To Hurt Me?” – Culture Club
- “Mexican Radio” – Wall Of Voodoo
- “I Melt With You” – Modern English
While I may not hear the entirety of the massive B100 playlist in my lifetime, I can say with some degree of certainty that I’ve probably heard all but one of the fourteen songs listed in Heavy Rotation over the course of the past three months. Songs like:
- “Stray Cat Strut” and “Rock This Town” – Stray Cats
- “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” – Night Ranger
- “Down Under” and “Be Good Johnny” – Men At Work
- “You Can’t Hurry Love” – Phil Collins
- “You Got Lucky” – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
- “I Do” – J. Geils Band
- “Twilight Zone” – Golden Earring
- “Allentown” – Billy Joel
- “Hungry Like The Wolf” – Duran Duran
- “Stand Or Fall” – The Fixx
- “Back On The Chain Gang” – The Pretenders
I don’t know if MTV is playing music videos any longer but I suspect they are not. With YouTube, there is really no use for it I guess.
I do know Bobby’s B100.fm is playing my favorite songs from early 1983… and the rest of the Eighties as well.
Tune in – YOUR song is coming!
Another contribution from B100.fm’s heroic helper HERC. He has much more to share and we appreciate his knowledge. See more of HERC’s work at The Hideaway.