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.

[ProtonStar]

Desktop App Version: 1.0.25.127.g58007b4c

I organize my music in folders and playlists, and I get horrible results when trying to play a folder on shuffle. See below screenshot, where I pressed play on the "Rock" folder which includes all the folders/playlists on the left. The first few playlists below the selected folder end up dominating the queue. This is unacceptable. 

[1209347]

my experience with shuffle in spotify (not happy about how it works)

1. choose a track from somewhere close to the end of your list, you get a shuffle from 30 songs above and below of your choosing

2. choose the same from the top, same behavior

3. choose something in the middle, same story.

Its most popular or random but seems to affect only a fraction of your list. If the list is long your experience will get even worse.

Never doing a shuffle from *all* your saved songs.

Hopefully spotify provides users with a way to choose between they current shuffle and shuffle as in 'total random from all the tracks'; or simply change the current one

[user-removed]

I tried the 'new shuffle' for some days now and again I'm starting to get the same old songs. This doesn't work for me. Perhaps this is because I switch from device to device + playlists all the time : laptop on-line, Androïd tablet on-line, Windows phone off-line, Playstation on-line.. .
I will again use my own method : export (copy) a playlist, randomize it with any internet randomizing site, import (copy) it again, and play this specific playlist straight on, without the shuffle or repeat button enabled, and occasionally delete the songs that have been played already. After playing all 1850 songs, which takes a while, I start over again. I have never repeats because I delete them.

[brandAnonymous]

I too was excited to see this announcement....alas, I am experiencing the same behaviour as before. Whatever played yesterday in shuffle mode, is going to play again today....and probably tomorrow....in a playlist of over 700 tracks. Android, iOS or desktop (windows)...Spotify exhibits the same behaviour. I have gotten used to it....we just do not shuffle anymore....it is the only way to listen to albums in their entirety....surely it's the "weighting" is the problem 😉

[cdubs689]

I have noticed that 500 is a magic number. I have my "starred" playlist which contains all of my music, in 2 folders since a folder can only hold 10000 songs, totalling just over 18000. noticed shuffle hated that. started making smaller playlists and up to 500 shuffle did a great job. so smaller playlists work better.I mean honestly who has time for 500 songs to play? yeah a true shuffle would be nice though.

[laoandretj]

Is there any chance we get a feedback after 2 month of people constantly complaining? It's getting ridicelous. Please release a simple statement whether somethings is done about this. Otherwise I don't see the point of this thread.

[user-removed]

It is entirely possible to write some gui automation tool to work around the issue but that would be desperate.

What about we switch services to a comparable one that has implemented true random shuffling? Does anyone have anything they would like to share about those services' shuffle? Are they viable alternatives with the music you care about?

I know there's rhapsody & Apple Music. Are there others?

I am willing to make the switch and re create all my playlists at this point.

[agl89xs20]

Deezer is another one, but I don't have experience of that one so cannot comment on how good the shuffle function is.

Do Spotify actually even care about this? People are paying ~$10 per month for something that is clearly not fit for purpose.

I have a playlist with nearly 400 songs on it, driving to work this morning it played 9 songs. Of those 9, 4 were by one artist, of which one track was repeated, and 3 was by another artist. That's a ridiculous percentage, and its just not good enough.

[StopRuiningThisApp]

I still get this stupid issue. I have 80+ songs and have heard max 20 of them over the weeks that I've listened to this playlist on and off.

[Tobraham]

I have written a web-based shuffle application called ShuffleFly. I'm almost afraid to post the link here right now for fear of crashing my server.

I need maybe 15 beta testers to reach out to me and I'll give the link to try it out. Once the bugs get worked out, I'll post it publicly.

Any takers?