The "Free Bird" Dichotomy - why?

dave64o · #1 08-04-2010, 11:04 AM

I noticed a few times recently, including earlier today, that a caller to a radio station requested "Free Bird" and the DJ was thankful that the caller requested such a timeless classic. And yet requesting it in a bar will likely get you thrown out bodily.

So why does the requester get treated like a hero in one case but a villian in the other?

PSPookie · #2 08-04-2010, 11:05 AM

Because it's a long song and when someone requests it on the radio it means the DJ has time to go take a dump or rub out a quick one.

MatticusMania · #3 08-04-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Because it's a long song and when someone requests it on the radio it means the DJ has time to go take a dump or rub out a quick one.

Man, /thread

GregC · #4 08-04-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

Man, /thread

+1.

OK, I'll add one more thing. A band may not want to play that song after a million others have already covered it. The radio's gonna play the original.

KeithBMI · #5 08-04-2010, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Because it's a long song and when someone requests it on the radio it means the DJ has time to go take a dump or rub out a quick one.

Exactly, there is a difference between playing Freebird and pressing play.

sloasdaylight · #6 08-04-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Because it's a long song and when someone requests it on the radio it means the DJ has time to go take a dump or rub out a quick one.

Good god, I've never seen so much win included in 1 post.

Hoover · #7 08-04-2010, 12:17 PM

Does anyone who ever actually requests "Freebird" in a bar really want to hear the band play that song?

I've never seen it happen where it wasn't intended with an irony bordering on condescension.

Yerf Dog · #8 08-04-2010, 12:19 PM

PSPookie FTW

dave64o · #9 08-04-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

Because it's a long song and when someone requests it on the radio it means the DJ has time to go take a dump or rub out a quick one.

First response and completely, 100%, spot on.

Two big thumbs up!

superbassman2000 · #10 08-04-2010, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yerf Dog

PSPookie FTW

I think the real answer was stated above, but throwing in a completely false, joke answer would be that requesting it at a bar has turned more into a joke than the person actually requesting it. Plus, even if it wasn't a joke, most bands don't know it as well as they think they do

I'd say in reality, it's not a bad song, just that it's turned into a joke among the bar band scene

AnchorHoy · #11 08-04-2010, 02:10 PM

You guys must be listening to Satellite radio. I can't say I've heard Freebird on the airwaves for many years. Waaaaay too long, I suppose

PSPookie · #12 08-04-2010, 02:18 PM

The bar requests of Freebird are a trend that was started by the Bic lighter company. They continue, to this day, to send undercover operatives to bar gigs throughout the nation.

MatticusMania · #13 08-04-2010, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

The bar requests of Freebird are a trend that was started by the Bic lighter company. They continue, to this day, to send undercover operatives to bar gigs throughout the nation.

By your posts in this thread I have accumulated the following information about TB's own PSPookie:

1)He works or has worked as both a Radio Station DJ and Coverband Bandleader.

2)He also works, or more likely has worked, for Bic, and is trying to hawk lighters to underage kids.

GregC · #14 08-04-2010, 02:30 PM

Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse had a great response to a Free Bird request.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZCiUrkkElU

Southpaw5 · #15 08-04-2010, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave64o

I noticed a few times recently, including earlier today, that a caller to a radio station requested "Free Bird" and the DJ was thankful that the caller requested such a timeless classic. And yet requesting it in a bar will likely get you thrown out bodily.

So why does the requester get treated like a hero in one case but a villian in the other?

Actually yeah. i did the school radio station thing in high school. It was run out of a trailer next to the school, and you were only allowed I think a max of 2 minutes dead air time(it was probably less, I just don't remember). Me and buddy that worked there used to put on a the Who song that was ridiculously long when we wanted a "smoke" break or, like the second poster wrote, run to the can(to go #2 not #3!)

PSPookie · #16 08-05-2010, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

By your posts in this thread I have accumulated the following information about TB's own PSPookie:

1)He works or has worked as both a Radio Station DJ and Coverband Bandleader.

2)He also works, or more likely has worked, for Bic, and is trying to hawk lighters to underage kids.

A guy has to know these things if he ever hopes to achieve WORLD DOMINATION

I've said too much.

MatticusMania · #17 08-05-2010, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PSPookie

WORLD DOMINATION

Mwah ha ha ha ha!

/evil laughter

Simo98 · #18 08-05-2010, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregC

Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse had a great response to a Free Bird request.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZCiUrkkElU

Im pretty sure the request was a joke, as I think I heard the same guy yell "Destiny's Child!" about half way through the video.

SMILEYSIXX · #19 08-05-2010, 06:14 PM

Just had to include this story.

I was at a Blue Man Group show and some guy shouted "FREEBIRD!!!" The blue dudes just stared. Then the band actually started playing it.