November 20th, 2024
It's Never Too Early To...
Christmas music has officially started playing in stores and will only increase from here. Non-holiday songs currently playing will begin to decrease in plays over the coming weeks and will return to normal rotations after the first of the year. Any new songs introduced just after the first of the year will take a while to filter into stores, as the programming for that time will already be in place. One way to combat that delay is to submit your first-quarter priorities in December. That way, your song will be in the system and be part of that wave that flips into gear right after holiday music is finished. If you want to make sure yours is one of the first songs to start playing overhead in 2024, then consider submitting it early. You can even do it now if you want. It's never too early to prepare.
Hayes Warner
"Predator"
On Glassnote
Debuts
This week's What's In-Store Music chart debuts.
Diner
"So Happy It Hurts" #35
almost monday
"Jupiter" #42
Newly Added to The What's In-Store Music Spotify Playlist
Elysia Marie
"Persecute Me"
Ana Sky
"Loving You Is Hard"
What's In-Store Music Artists have been heard in these fine locations!
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Max Rae
"Keep You Waiting"
On Crown 33 Records
What's In-Store Music has added a new Spotify playlist called What's In-Store Music Hits The Gym. It features the fantastic artists and songs placed in the Planet Fitness program. Please enjoy responsibly.
Cage Willis
"Wonderin' Why"
"Wonderin' Why is a therapeutic anthem for the broken-hearted. The song tells the story of someone with nowhere left to turn and missing the one they want the most. Listeners can relate to the familiar story of the one who walked away without looking back. Recorded in the hills of Kentucky in January 2023, the song was co-written and produced by hit songwriter Chris Robertson (Black Stone Cherry.) With a relaxing vibe and view of open fields with horses, the song developed quickly and organically in the studio from just a lyrical idea. At first the lyrics were impersonal and vague. By pulling from personal experiences the heartfelt tale came to life creating a captivating experience for the listener both emotionally and sonically. With an upbeat tempo and sing along chorus, you will find yourself toe tapping and humming along uncontrollably. Have a listen or 2 and have a great holiday season."
- Cage Willis
Submit Your High Energy Top40, Dance, EDM, Alternative, or Latin Dance Song
Here For The Planet Fitness Playlist!
On The Move
Keep an ear out for these terrific songs playing overhead in stores everywhere.
Don't Believe In Ghosts
"Brooklyn Baby"
Adrian Lyles
"Somewhere To Go"
KRU & CHA CHA MALONE ft. JUNOFLO
"MASTERPLAN"
On Kruthika Music
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Video of the Week:
Culture Wars
"Heaven"
kylekelly
"my little heart <3"
Out & About with
Scott Emerson and his Phone
One of the fascinating things we've learned over the years working at What's In-Store Music, is just how much the music played overhead in a retail space, can really affect the mood. It's fascinating, just how different the music is from store to store. Having some free time on my hands and my phone in my pocket, for this week's Out & About I decided to do a little experiment. I went to three different restaurants, all with relatively similar menus and bar selections, but clearly aiming to appeal to three decidedly different clienteles. My experiment was to see if the music they played overhead, was in sync with their target audience or was it just a random selection of songs without any thought behind it.
The first place a visited was an English pub called Pickwicks, which features standard English fare and several beers on tap. The interior hasn't been updated in years, but that clearly adds to the appeal to their target audience which is primarily an older crowd.
The second spot is called Eureka! It's all about the whiskey in this place, as they have a full menu devoted to them, along with clever craft beers on tap. The food is more current and experimental, catering more to the younger, hipper, crowd.
My Final stop was at The White Hearte. Although it is also an English pub, they've tried to combine old school favorites and decor, with a unique modern twist on cocktails and food presentation. It turns out this lends itself for a more diverse mix of young and old.
For the experiment, I went to each place, laid my phone on the counter, pressed auto SHAZAM and let it roll. I came home each evening with a pocket full of songs which I later turned into playlists (Which you can listen to here). Upon review, It turns out there was nothing random about the selections. Each playlist really did lean into their target audience, and it showed. Pickwick's was more 60's and 70's classic rock, (Rare Earth, ELO, The Rascals, Sam & Dave). Eureka! had the more modern and alternative stuff (Mallrat, Foals, Coin, Bleachers). And The White Hearte reached both audiences with a mix of old and new (Michael Jackson, Billie Eilish, Lionel Richie, Chappell Roan). I know it wasn't super scientific, but it's another great example of how large a role, overhead music plays in shaping the environment to attract your target customer.
Have a great week,
Scott Emerson