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.

[kingtuttoo]

Thanks, Rastacaptain,

That's an interesting work-around, but I'd still like to hold Spotify accountable for a lousy, if nonexistent, shuffle feature which could be easily corrected. Hell, old CD players could shuffle a disc without getting a repeat. Why can't the techgeeks tweak the code to do the same for all 2 million of us loyal, paying customers? Well, 2 million minus one since Artracing just hit the escape hatch.

It's not like we're asking for the moon. And yes, your post should be bumped to the front.

Peace and nuclear rockets . . .

[Artracing]

I got a email from Spotify saying the status for this problem is solved. Funny how I mention no one from Spotify commenting on this and threatening class action suite.
And then they lye about it.
Spotify subscribers. WAKE UP
ARE YOU MORONS.
DON'T YOU KNOW WHATS GOING ON.
OMG

[harida5a]

I did try to open new "case" - but I dont know how to do it - this web is not very to use... 😕

My main problem is "shuffle button" on my Spotidy app.

everytime I use option "next song" - option "shuffle" will automatically activate itself

I want to turn this option OFF ! - which seems to be impossible! every change in track will activate this option again !

[user-removed]

It's been three and a half years since this thread was posted and shuffle is still terrible. I've been driving around with the same 100-song playlist for two weeks and I still haven't heard half the songs. It's ridiculous.

[Artracing]

Exactly, and it won't get fixed.
I got a email from Spotify after my comment that they are not paying attention to this thread. They said the problem is solved according to the thread and then in the same breath said there is no plan to fix the problem. So they admit to the problem.
I still think this is a case for class action suite.
Can we hear from a lawyer?

[Rob_C]

I got a reply from them saying that they are working on it seems that they are just telling people anything

[CoCavan11]

Here's my suggested action.  Contact Jesper Wilgodt, the head of investor relations at TeliaSonera, a Swedish firm.  Wilgodt's email address is jesper.wilgodt@teliasonera.com.

Here's why.:

Recent finanacial news revealed that TeliaSonera will take a 1.4 percent stake in the (Spotify) music streaming platform and both companies (TeliaSonera & Spotify) will be "committing resources, staff and other assets" to areas including data analytics and advertising, the telecoms firm said on Wednesday.

Bring the flawed shuffle issue to the attention of executives at TeliaSonera.  Let them know that, beyond Spotify's glitz, they're buying a pig in a poke and that, unless the shuffle issue is fixed, Spotify faces the very real prospect of a class-action lawsuit.  Point out that the problem seems to be so embedded in Spotify's programming that it could quite likely cost Spotify a lot of money to hire skilled programmers to spend the many hours needed to fix it.  Short-run profits would be greatly affected and the costs would likely erode much of TeliaSonera's investment.

Money talks.  No prudent business would invest in a company beset by hidden technical problems.  Ask if Spotify brought the shuffle issue to the attention of TeliaSonera's due-diligence team, as Spotify is legally required to do.

TeleSonera's web site is www.teliasonera.com.  It's mailing address is TeliaSonera AB; SE-106 63 Stockholm, Sweden; and its telephone is +46 8 504 550 00.

Light a fire under this issue.

[redeuxx]

I love Spotify, but I just can't take the spotty shuffle on my mobile device where I do most of my music listening. I've converted over to Google Music that has better shuffling and music videos. It was a sad day for me, but it's been years and hasn't been fixed. I don't believe this to be hard computer science that lots of experts claim it to be. It's a simple play a random song from the playlist, if it's already been played this go around, go to the next random song.

[Andx96]

WOW Spotify, your "better" shuffling algorithm really sucks. Why the hell do I hear the same song three times in a row when shuffling an album? And when I shuffle playlists with hundreds of tracks I hear the same songs over and over again, just with some other songs in between...and at the same time I never hear other songs; until I manually click on them...and then I'll hear them all the time, like wtf, just replacing other tracks in the loop of recently played songs (and a tiny amount of songs I haven't heard for a while). And that's what you call "shuffle"...it's so terrible! When will you do something about this?!?

[Artracing]

They are not fixing it.