UK singer Sandi Thom has meltdown over radio playlist

[Harry 26,836]

Sandi Thom is a singer from Scotland, best known for her 2006 number one single 'I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker (With Flowers in My Hair)'. She's been basically irrelevant ever since and has been releasing music independently to minimal levels of success.

Last night she posted a video to Facebook after she heard that her latest single 'Earthquake' has again been rejected from the BBC Radio 2 playlist... And she basically went off at them.

WARNING: Video contains a lot of swearing

So she basically wrote a song with the sole intent of it being a hit with the station, and here it is:

What do you think? Should radio help out struggling artists more? Is the song even good? Is writing a song FOR radio really the solution?

[Haroon 49,685]

Wow I feel really bad for her  The video started kinda down and then it really erupted with the profanity eeek. I like the song but it doesn't sound like anything super special to me  

I think radio should help struggling artists and all of that but at the end of the day they need to make sure people stay tuned in to them and if they don't think that a certain song will do that then they won't. Their neck is also on the line and I can understand why they'd be more cautious about taking songs from smaller artists that they're not 100% into. It's a difficult situation and I'm not fully sure about my stance either, it's complicated to say the least  

[Noah 26,998]

I like the Song. 

And yes, Radio should be more open for Artists without a huge record deal, she's one out of thousands, Radio should support their local (unsigned) acts way more.

[bayonse 6,525]

the song is really bad tho

[Neight Shayde 7,925]

well yes they should be more open to artists without a record deal

but if the intent of the artist is to just make catchy pop tunes on the radio then they obviously don't deserve to be played

[Harry 26,836]

9 minutes ago, Haroon said:

Wow I feel really bad for her  The video started kinda down and then it really erupted with the profanity eeek. I like the song but it doesn't sound like anything super special to me  

I think radio should help struggling artists and all of that but at the end of the day they need to make sure people stay tuned in to them and if they don't think that a certain song will do that then they won't. Their neck is also on the line and I can understand why they'd be more cautious about taking songs from smaller artists that they're not 100% into. It's a difficult situation and I'm not fully sure about my stance either, it's complicated to say the least  

Yeah I feel like the song follows a very clear formula and sounds like a thousand others... I feel like they'd be more open to playing something original. It's definitely their decision, as you say. I highly doubt the whole world has a vendetta against her for no reason... She obviously just hasn't made that song yet.

7 minutes ago, Bombastic said:

I like the Song. 

And yes, Radio should be more open for Artists without a huge record deal, she's one out of thousands, Radio should support their local (unsigned) acts way more.

They should be more open I agree, but surely it depends on the song. If they decide it's not right, then why should they be obliged to take it? Especially when she's basically admitted to writing a soulless song only to make it on the station.

Just now, BrothaGaga said:

well yes they should be more open to artists without a record deal

but if the intent of the artist is to just make catchy pop tunes on the radio then they obviously don't deserve to be played

agreed totally

[TimisaMonster 31,073]

I feel bad for her frustration with radio but the song isn't that great...

Radio should help struggling artists more but I would suggest  one day a week be specifically dedicated to new artists music while the pros get the other 6

[LaMaisonGaga 23,884]

omg the song is so cute tho

[StrawberryBlond 15,032]

I really feel for her. I never listened to her debut album in full, but I'm a bit more interested now. It's a bit cringey that she felt the need to make this video (these crying videos from celebrities have worn quite thin and are rather cheesy now) but she at least seems genuine. She sounds very American when she's talking through tears! I think it's a shame that artists force themselves to conform for success and then still can't get it. The song isn't bad but it sure sounds like a lot of others...which actually makes it all the more shocking that it wasn't playlisted. Because radio just plays the same sounding songs over and over, why not this one? The public doesn't seem to care which artist is providing good songs, just as long as they keep getting made. We wouldn't have one hit wonders with experimental hit songs if that wasn't the case. The charts are so unpredictable now that there's no excuse for radio not to take more of a risk. I think it's mega insulting when radio flatout refuses to play certain songs. What's the harm in just trying it out for a week or two and see how it goes? If it fails, the radio's proved their point, if it succeeds, it's a sign that more allowances need to be made. Whether the song is good or not is neither here nor there. Radio plays what they think will be a hit, so if it sounds like something that could be that, good or not, they'll play it.

What annoys me is that radio is so quick to refuse to play songs from lesser successful artists (or drop them at the first sign of audience disinterest), but they'll push songs from major artists or big label debut artists like crazy, even when it's clear that the public isn't into them at all. Case in point, that John Newman song, Come And Get It. It peaked at #5 in the UK and then dropped like a stone, his follow-up single didn't even get in the top 100 and his album peaked at #3 and continues to go downhill (I predicted that no one would care about him by his second album and I was right). But I hear that song everywhere. X Factor have it in their sponsored ads, I think another advert has it and it's played on the instore radio in my shopping centre (among songs that went #1 and sold several hundred thousand). Why is this song that crashed and burned getting so much of a push but songs that haven't even proven themselves yet don't?

So, I completely understand where Sandi's coming from. What's wrong with just giving someone a chance? That bit she said about "22 million people will not hear this song because of one person's decision" hit me like a ton of bricks.

Just now, TimisaMonster said:

Radio should help struggling artists more but I would suggest  one day a week be specifically dedicated to new artists music while the pros get the other 6

Good idea. Or even a very short period of time everyday devoted to them. To have nothing but the biggest hitmakers on the radio is a ridiculous monopoly and is ruining the music industry. I have to say, I get such a rush of joy when a terrible song is shoved down our throats by radio but the public are having absolutely none of it. It sends the message to these radio bigwigs that they don't know everything and the public has more power and independent thinking than they give us credit for.

[Dawson 9,490]

She's stupid to think shes entitled to being playlisted. Cross your fingers and make music that fits your passion, not an outdated mould.

[LeoFameMonster 1,592]

Not really a meltdown

This is a meltdown to me lol

Good song tho

[Bette Davis 12,742]

You don't chose to be on the radio, they chose you to be on the radio. She acts so entitled. Seems like her self-worth is based off getting on the radio and she should honestly reevaluate her priorities. The song sounds like it belongs in a Disney movie.

[Wolf Boy 3,377]

a lot of struggling artists get shafted. i'm sure it's frustrating as hell but it's the nature of the business and the nature of her not being on a major label. 

her music is dire anyway and the crying video is really embarrassing and does her no favors. punk rocker is horrendous.

[Ferrer Zorola 3,966]

even in 2004 this wouldn't be a hit