Ok, I probably should have done this a year or two ago but better late than never….and a good excuse for a new blog label.
So as I’ve explained before, Galgalatz is the most popular radio station here, run by army radio (Galatz, short for Galei Tzahal, or literally Waves of the Army, presumably radio waves, yes?)
It’s also what I call the “unintentional Jack-FM“. Jack-FM is a chain of stations in America with no format. The DJ plays all types of songs, like Crowded House’s “Don’t Dream It’s Over” because it’s an oldie but goodie. On Galgalatz, not only was it never taken out of the rotation in the first place, but the DJ probably assumes it’s still popular. Gidi Gov? We got it. Kanye West? Of course. Gidi Gov and Kanye West? We can dream, can’t we? (And when it’s released, they’ll be sure to play it every hour.)
Some people love the playlist and some don’t (as evidenced by the several pro- and anti-Facebook groups. Here is the largest one, in favor.) But if you want to hear a song you thought you’d never hear again, this is the station to listen to. And the traffic reports and hourly news updates aren’t bad either (if you can understand them.)
Yesterday, I heard this song on the radio which I seriously haven’t heard on radio in about sixteen years, mostly because it hasn’t been played on the radio for sixteen years. Until Galgalatz got a hold of it.
Who didn’t love Richard Marx in the late 80s, early 90s? Ech omrim “mullet”? Anyway, here’s his song “Hazard” from around 1992 when he was becoming an afterthought…
Wait a minute. I just checked out “Galgalatz” via the link you posted, and heard this great new song: “No More Breakin’ My Heart.” I think you need to post a retraction. This station is totally rad. I’m joining the FB fan club. Ooh, baby. The parties are gonna start rockin’ around this place. (Oh, wait. I get what you mean. Who are these Iglu and Hartley guys? That tired old tune must be from the pre-dawn era of bubble gum rap…)
Galgalatz is actually known for having a very strict playlist, but the people who dictate it are in thier 60′s and don’t get out much.
A few months ago I heard two of the first songs I ever liked (after rowrowrow your boat) back to back: “ABC123″ by Jackson 5 and “Micky you’re so fine”.
That really made my day.
years ago i used to be a publicist. we had these media guides to help with mailings, the radio book listed stations by their formats. whenever i hear a weird combo on galgalatz i always wonder how exactly would it be classified in that book?
Isn’t that just he general way Israeli radio stations work? I’ve heard “We are family” twice in the past week…
Israeli radio stations don’t have a format. Except for 100FM that is for classical music and Reshet Gimel that only plays Hebrew music but it isn’t necessarily of any specific type. The stations are sometimes defined by the area they broadcast to.
I will have you know that Richard Marx is one of the finest songwriters to ever have long AND short hair AT THE SAME TIME.
Having been a constant radio channel surfer in the US, Galgalatz absolutely works for me.
I like Galgalatz and I like Krembo. There I said it and I’m not embarassed about it.
Also, I heard that Galgalatz has to play at least 50-60% Israeli music–which is probably about the right amount for me to learn Hebrew and then take a break by visiting the 1980s or the 1950s. And if I’m really lucky, I get to hear songs that I forgot that I’d forgotten.
someone onece said about the station that it’s “Shirim MeHaboydem” Songs from the attic
oh yeah. galgalatz and 88 and all them are fantastic. one of the first things i remember about israel is that they have the best radio ever. the fact that the go from a fantastic gidi gov song to kanye is just the tippy tops.
i actually had a one day gig on 88 if you can believe that – showed ‘em some thelonius monk, me and roni vertheimer.
anyhoo, glad you’re on the israeli radio tip. it, above everything else, means you’re actually there.
Thank you for that stroll down amnesia lane. I didn’t remember who the guy was but once the song started played I totally cracked up!
I *loathe* Galgalatz, still have bad memories of it from the army days. I love Hazard, saw it a few years ago on VH1.
Ilana, never be ashamed of your love for Krembo!
http://www.mako.co.il/tv/erez-nehederet/770e3d99ade16110VgnVCM1000004801000aRCRD
4th season, episode 2, the 6th skit. this is why i hate galgalatz. 88fm, rock on
If we’re on the subject, driving last night I turned on Galgalatz and they were playing 2 Lenny Kravitz songs I haven’t since the army. That brought back memories.
Galgalatz is awesome because of its total and utter randomness of song selection, which must actually be non-random, because who could ever create a playlist like that through random happenstance?
"9 to 5," followed by Iglu & Hartly's "In This City" is the pair I heard this morning. If the Galgalatz program directors don't get out, how would they even know Iglu & Hartly?
There are better examples of song playlists, and I look forward to experiencing them everyday.
The best back-to-back combination of songs I ever heard on Galgalatz, early one Sunday morning, was “Yerushalyim shel zahav” followed by “Itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini”. I love that station.
Here’s what I just realized: make up the most ridiculous back-to-back song playlist ever….and it’s completely believable. Look at the previous comment!
How about “Let It Snow” and “Sweet Child O’ Mine”? Why couldn’t that happen?
Maybe not “Let it snow” and “Sweet Child o’Mine”, but I could totally see “Let it snow” and “November Rain.” That would actually make sense–in a Galgalatz universe. (The question is, though, would they consider “Let it snow” to be part of the Christmas carol list and have you ever heard “Let it snow” on Galgalatz?)
galgalatz was on all the time at the kibbutz i worked on last summer, most random song i heard, mid august, ‘christmas in mew york’ beat that!!!!!!!!!
Galgalatz is one the best of all time…