The annual music charts: the communal musical taste mix in Israel

Abstract

ABSTRACT Radio is a cultural producer and a main player in the music industry. Radio operates a system that determines which music will be broadcast and which music will not make it ‘on the air,’ functioning as gatekeeper for the general audience. Such a system gives radio significant influence on the music to which listeners are exposed. By way of offering a comprehensive picture of the diverse tastes, styles and trends of popular music in Israel, this article examines the mix of the common musical taste in Israeli society as reflected in the audience votes for the annual music charts that were broadcast on Gal Galatz radio station for 15 years. Findings show that pop music is the most common music in the charts and accounts for 45%, in contrast to rock music, which shows a declining trend. Mediterranean music has grown in popularity in recent years to become an integral part of mainstream music and accounts for a significant proportion of the mix of popular music according to Israeli listeners.