However, after spending hours after hours at work this summer, I have come to see this from the employee's perspective....Like many stores, the candy store I work at uses XM radio because it is commercial free. We have 3 radio stations we are allowed to play during the work day because they are "candy store appropriate" and consumer friendly.
Despite the fact that each station promises "the greatest hits from the 80's, 90's, and today", I still hear the same 20 songs. Over. and Over. AND OVER. You would think that these radio stations would be able to find more than 20 good songs over a span of 30 years. Instead, what they should really advertise is "top 10 hits of today, plus 10 more songs to drive you crazy".
For the first few days of working there, I was silly and naive and enjoyed this.
"Yeah! I know all these songs. I can hum along and whistle while I work."
Three Weeks Later.....
"I have heard "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie TWICE and my shift is not even half over".
XM radio has also ruined songs I would have at one point added to an iPod playlist. For example: Hey There Delilah by the Plain White T's. I have been a Plain White T's fan for a while, and knew of them before this song became famous. I was a little disappointed that of all their songs, Hey There Delilah was the one to become popular, but glad that more people would start to appreciate the band. My sister loved the song so I even had it as her ringtone for when she called me. After two weeks of working and hearing this song at LEAST once every time I worked, it got a little old. Now, I can not STAND it. Every time it comes on the radio, I feel an uncontrollable urge to change the radio station.
Now, because the stations we play in the candy store are "consumer friendly", they often play current hits. So, I will admit that this has given me the benefit of being introduced to some new songs that I like. i.e. I'm Yours by Jason Mraz. I'm not sure I would have been liked this song quite as much if I had heard it outside of the candy store. Its happy-go-lucky singsongy melody always perked up my day whether I was making caramel corn or stocking Bubblicious.
But again, the downside of XM radio: Hearing "I Kissed a Girl and I Liked it" by Katy Perry. Catchy. SUPER CATCHY. and I don't like it. I heard it for the first time ever and it was stuck in my head. I wanted to claw at my ears with a fork. The beat just stays with you. And, I was appalled to see little six year old girls belting it out and singing it along as they perused the candy shelves. I mean, I'm all for tolerance and acceptance, but I feel that the song is a little mature to be considered "candy store appropriate".
And my rant about XM radio continues: the Holiday Season.
I love Christmas songs. I really really do. But Candy Store Policy says "convert to XM Holly the day after HALLOWEEN." Not a fan. The week of Thanksgiving? Acceptable. Anything before that: an abomination of man. It's just too soon. It's like seeing "Back to School" binders and notebooks right after you start summer break. Seriously, please let me enjoy a little down time in between.
With that said, I feel the obligation to be a jerk and not only get an annoying song stuck in your head, but a ridiculous Christmas song at that.
"I want a hippopotamus for Christmas...Only a hippopotamus will do.
No crocodiles, no rhinoceroses, I only like hippopotamuses
And Hippopotamuses like me tooooooooo".
Thanks for reading!!! :-D
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