Q : How come all of your playlists have exactly 18 songs?

A : Well! when we launched radio.hits.club, we thought it would be more fun to develop our own method to build playlists. Then, we turned the method into a game and named it hittin’around.

Q : I still do not get the 18 songs thing. Is it part of the game ?

A : The game hittin’around borrows from the game of golf : the number of shots (18) and the scoring method (the better you are, the less points you get. Now, if you do not play golf, do not worry, neither do we).
To start a round of hittin’around, you draw the name of one of The Rolling Stone 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. If you want to use a different language, you find a similar list in your region.
Starting with this song, you compose a playlist of 18 hit-songs. For help, you use whatever internet resource you put your hands on : Google, Wikipedia, Youtube, etc..

Q : So far, it sounds pretty easy. What else?

A : Easy, yes but no! You need a “link” from one song to the next (a “link” being a common word, the same song or the same performer,…). A “link” can only be used once in a list. The “nature” of your “link” gives you points :
0 : same title but different song (our hole in one)
1 : first word = last word of previous song OR same writer and/or composer OR previous artist is the composer
2 : two words in common (between names of artist+name of song - common words can be extension of one word : ex : “tenderness” or “tenderly” goes with “tender”)
3 : one word in common (between names of artist+name of song, …)
4 : same artist - different song (artist can be member of group, duo, trio, etc) OR same song - different artist

Then, on top of each “note”, you receive a bonus (points to deduct) or a penalty (points to add).
Bonuses :
5 : last song and first song have same title OR same artist at the end and the beginning
2 : non english (or your local language) speaking
1 : song recorded by unknown (but promising) artists (non major company’s artists OR MySpace artists)
Penalties :
1 : singer is the one who made the song famous OR orchestral version (orchestral rendition of a song initially with lyrics)
3 : non hit (like you were stuck and used an unknown song hoping no one would notice). Wikipedia is the reference for hits and non-hits
2 : prolific performer (Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, artists who have sung everything,.. list to be updated)
4 : post-1980 song or post-1980 major company’s artist recording (their lawyers are considering visiting your home)
5 : forbidden artists (Beatles, Rolling Stones, Prince, Bob Dylan, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, … list to be updated) (their lawyers are already knocking at your door)

Q : That sounds a bit confusing. Could you give me an example?

A : Actually, we have posted two examples on this page. One “not so good – over 70 points” list (Satisfaction), one “rather good - next to 40 points” list (Sunshine of your Love).

Q : Gorgeous! Can anyone play this game?

A : Sure and we encourage it : hittin’around is a lot of fun and makes you discover great music you can buy afterwards. Everyone can play alone or with friends, family, office co-workers,… You can compete with two playlists or build one playlist alternatively.

Q : If I am really good at it, can I send you the results?

A : If you are really proud of one (or more) of your playlists, if you achieve a minimum of points, you send said lists to this address.
If approved, it will be “published” with your name attached … but,no! you do not win a toaster. Don’t even ask!

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And yes! whenever it is feasible, we obtain licenses to publish and share our advertising income with musicians, composers, writers or whoever is entitled to such a share.
If you see any work, song or text that infringes on a copyright, let us know with relevant info sent to this address. We will remove it.
Now, if you love a list, you can grab the Radio.blog widget and stick it onto your Facebook, MySpace or whatever page.