These are the over-played, played out tunes you constantly have to hear because the DJ's and program/music directors have not a frigging clue as to what the listener would like to hear;
OH, EXCEPT FOR MORE COMMERCIALS!
Hmmm...as a radio guy myself, there's a couple of things you need to consider:
1) Every station decides their music based on the format for the audience demographic they are targeting. And since audience turnover is constant (in other words, the average listener who tunes in for an hour or less), general demand is for the songs that everybody wants to hear. Yes, it would be great to hear something off the beaten track, but it's kinda like popular vote. So, though there are less popular that YOU want to hear, the rest of the group would rather hear something more "mainstream"...it sucks, but that's the way it is. Don't get me wrong...I would love to treat my audience to a "Raspberries" best-of marathon, but my audience couldn't care less what my musical taste is. They want the current hits are.
2) Before radio stations decide on their format, they research the area they are broadcasting in. You can't just go into any town in america and start a (for example) gangsta rap station. My station, for a short time, started shifting it's focus away from top 40 and more towards R&B and Rap. Our station sounded great...our consultant, who I should mention is one of the best radio consultants in the business, even said that we sounded better than similar stations in Detroit. One problem though...we're on the cusp of the farmlands here, and it's a VERY "family-friendly) town. People turned the dial on us, businesses started tuning out, and our revenue went straight down the toilet. When we switched back to "VH1" style top 40, our audience came back immediately. We had a lot of fun playing the other stuff, but the audience made the decision.
3) Radio is a business like any else. There are bills to pay, and employees that would like a paycheck. Commercials pay the bills. Understand that once long ago I was a college radio guy, and I said the same thing you're saying. But guess what? I have a house, car, insurance, among other things to pay for. When I hear commericals on my station, I know that the bill collectors aren't going to be knocking on my door.
Again...I understand your complaints...but McDonalds serves hamburgers, not fresh Maine lobster and champagne. Why? Because that's the way it is. If you don't like it, buy an Ipod
