Implement an actual shuffle function

[RoninTheOrigina]

Yes, you read that right.  The "shuffle" function in Spotify is nothing more than a randomizer.  There's a difference?  YES.

RANDOM - Play one song.  The next song can be ANY song in your playlist.  Including the one you just listened to.  Though I've never had this specifically happen, I literally just heard the same song that I heard 2 songs ago.  This is how Spotify's "shuffle" currently functions.

SHUFFLE - Take your entire list, shuffle them (like cards), and play the first song in the shuffle.  Once finished, move that song off the pile.  Once the pile is depleted, shuffle the deck again and start over (maybe pop a message up).

I know enough about programming (not much) to know that shuffling is probably a bit harder than random, but come on.  I may be in the minority, but I don't have a lot of little playlists.  I have one list with nearly a thousand songs in it, because I like all the music, and am rarely not in the mood for one of those songs.  But what I can't stand is hearing the same song over and over again.  I think there may even be songs in my list I haven't heard yet, while I've heard others 4-5 times.

I know it may not matter much, but I would probably lay down the money for at least a year subscription if this feature was implemented.

EDIT: Another user pointed out that I can see what all is queued up in my shuffle by clicking the Play Queue link, and that Spotify supposedly sets up a rolling shuffle of 50 songs.  It would be nice if this range could be expanded to say 50-100% of your playlist.

EDIT 4/6/12: I just dealt with the same song 16 tracks later.  The song played the first time yesterday afternoon.  I went home, listened for a bit on my home PC (just a few songs), then started listening again this morning.  If the list recycles itself after a day, or if you log in from another computer, I see that as an area for improvement.

[rudf0rd]

Ok figured out more on this.  This is 100% connected to iOS.  If I start the shuffle on iOS, it cycles 4 albums of a playlist of 40+ albums.  If I start the shuffle from the OSX desktop app, it is far more plausible that it's a true shuffle.  From there, I can then use my iPad to control the playing music and it works fine.

So, please Spotify, fix this small issue on iOS!!!

Side note: I find it funny you can't mention anyone who actually works at spotify (@Sam @Meredith) to draw their attention to this glaring issue.

[grandslamhead]

I don't think it's necessarily related to iOS as much as playlists that are
attempting to be available offline and either playlist/account song limits
or unavailable files. When I delete the iOS Spotify app, the same problem
exists.

[blake]

Updated: 2016-10-06

Marked as New Idea and edited title to make it easier to find via search. This idea is for three points about shuffle:

1. The way shuffle works on Mobile devices appears to be different than on Desktop.

2. Shuffle should include the entire playlist in its randomized queue (according to some, long playlists are more likely to repeat tracks).

3. Shuffle should not repeat the same order twice: so after 100% of songs in a playlist have been played, a new, randomized order should be generated.

[CrapuleJack]

Yo, your shuffle is still totally broken, it will play only a subset of a list, and will always do so in the same order, you have to fix this ASAP.

[PatrickMAntos72]

Your changes really are terrible. I have a list of 1900 songs. I hear the same ones over and over again. Is this payola? Listening to the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and they have 6 albums of songs. Heard the same song back to back three different times during the day. I'd say your improvement is a huge yuck. The radio function is much better

[jessicapervis]

Shuffle still does not work properly. When I shuffle a playlist, I should hear every song on the playlist ONCE before it starts over. As it works currently, it is completely random and does not play through the entire list. Some songs get played over and over and others never get heard. SUPER frustrating, especially since you think it is "implemented". The original post was very detailed and thorough in describing the funtionality needed. That is clearly NOT what you implemented. Don't improve the algorithm, start over!

[grandslamhead]

72 pages of unaddressed negative comments, and counting. I'm surprised Spotify is letting it get this bad - this has to be costing them some attrition.

[3mon]

The way i see it, they are just never going to budge on this for whatever obscure reasons, so i suggest they make 2 buttons: one a real random shuffe, at least for paying customers ffs, and another one Smart Shuffle (lol) or whatever that fulfills their obscure purposes with the masses 😛

The sad thing is at this point im not even joking lol

[CrapuleJack]

Im also searching for the « normal » play button (the one that doesnt shuffle or random, for playing an album from start to finish like its meant to be..)

[Tobraham]

@CrapuleJack

Ummmm, just turn off shuffle mode and hit play.