Big Shiny Tunes Explained

Muchmusic's Big Shiny Tunes
Type:	Compilation
Longtype:	series
Artist:	Various Artists
Cover:	Big Shiny Tunes cover.jpg

Big Shiny Tunes is a series of rock albums compiled and released by the Canadian music television station MuchMusic, and through MusiquePlus in Quebec, from 1996 to 2009. The best-selling album of the series was Big Shiny Tunes 2, which was certified Diamond in Canada (1,000,000 units) by the CRIA on March 25, 1998.^[1] It has been cited as the best-selling album series in Canadian history,^{[2] [3]} with 5 million albums sold in ten years.^[4]

Characteristics

The Big Shiny Tunes albums are each thought to be composed of a combination of rock songs that are major hits by well-known artists, less successful songs by well-known artists and songs by more obscure artists, released in the same year as the albums' publication.^[5] There are a combination of Canadian, British and American performers. One common feature among the selected artists is that they are attached to Universal Music, Warner Bros., EMI Music Canada, and/or MuchMusic, who come together to produce Big Shiny Tunes albums.^[2] The most frequently appearing band in the Big Shiny Tunes series is Nickelback, who appeared on 7 releases in the series (Big Shiny Tunes 5, 7–11, and 14.) The first six Big Shiny Tunes albums were all released on both CD and cassette formats, before being put out solely on CD starting with Big Shiny Tunes 7 in 2002.

Part of the appeal of the series is that those who do not usually buy albums will find Big Shiny Tunes provides several well-known songs, as opposed to a CD by a single artist whose non-single tracks may be relatively unfamiliar.^[2] The music is aimed at teenagers and young adults.^[6] There has been some criticism of consistency in regards to the use of censored versus uncensored versions of songs from album to album (Big Shiny Tunes 6 carried a label stating that some songs contained coarse language, while the previous and following albums had censored songs by Matthew Good, Limp Bizkit, Staind, Not By Choice and Wheatus).

In addition to the ordinary albums in the series, MuchMusic also released albums that compile the biggest hits across a span of years, such as Big Shiny 80s (2005) that included classics like Billy Idol's "White Wedding." There have also been two volumes of Big Shiny 90s released.

History

The first edition of Big Shiny Tunes was released in 1996 and was successful, being certified Triple Platinum in Canada. Big Shiny Tunes 2 was released in 1997 to greater success, selling 128,000 copies in its first week and going on to sell 1,230,000 copies overall, making it the third best-selling album of all time in Canada of the Nielsen SoundScan era.^[7] Big Shiny Tunes 3 was released in 1998 and was also very successful, and the second and third editions alone would account for over 2,000,000 copies of Big Shiny Tunes albums sold.^[8] Following editions of Big Shiny Tunes reached #1 on the Canadian Albums Chart, the last being Big Shiny Tunes 6, which sold 68,500 copies in its first week in 2001.^[9]

The series soon lost its predominance with the growth of Peer-to-peer file sharing in the 2000s. The last album in the series, Big Shiny Tunes 14, was released in 2009. As of 2010, the series went on an indefinite hiatus and was later discontinued.

Charts and certifications

Year	Title	Peak chart positions	Certifications
		CAN ^[10]
1996	Big Shiny Tunes	3	3× Platinum
1997	Big Shiny Tunes 2	1	Diamond
1998	Big Shiny Tunes 3	1	8× Platinum
1999	Big Shiny Tunes 4	1	8× Platinum
2000	Big Shiny Tunes 5	1	6× Platinum
2001	Big Shiny Tunes 6	1
2002	Big Shiny Tunes 7	2	3× Platinum
2002	Big Shiny 90's	5	2× Platinum
2003	Big Shiny 90's Volume 2	align="center"	-
2003	Big Shiny Tunes 8	4	2× Platinum
2004	Big Shiny Tunes 9	7	Platinum
2004	Big Shiny 80's	align="center"	-
2005	Big Shiny Tunes 10	7
2006	Big Shiny Tunes 11	6	Platinum
2007	Big Shiny Tunes 12	10	Gold
2008	Big Shiny Tunes 13	21
2009	Big Shiny Tunes 14	-

Albums

Big Shiny Tunes

Big Shiny Tunes
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	12/3/1996
Length:	71:08
Label:	Universal Music, MCA
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 2
Next Year:	1997

Note: Was certified 3× Platinum (300,000 units) in Canada on April 24, 1997.^[1]

Big Shiny Tunes 2

Big Shiny Tunes 2
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	12/2/1997
Length:	66:22
Label:	WEA
Prev Title:	Big Shiny Tunes
Prev Year:	1996
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 3
Next Year:	1998

Note: Best-selling album of the series. Was certified Diamond in Canada (1,000,000 units) on March 25, 1998.^[1]

Big Shiny Tunes 3

Big Shiny Tunes 3
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	12/1/1998
Length:	70:48
Label:	EMI Music Canada
Prev Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 2
Prev Year:	1997
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 4
Next Year:	1999

Note: Was certified 8× Platinum in Canada (800,000 units) on February 19, 1999.^[1]

Big Shiny Tunes 4

Big Shiny Tunes 4
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	11/23/1999
Length:	68:29
Label:	EMI Music Canada
Prev Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 3
Prev Year:	1998
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 5
Next Year:	2000

Note: Was certified 8× Platinum in Canada (800,000 units) on November 6, 2000.^[1]

Big Shiny Tunes 5

Big Shiny Tunes 5
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	11/28/2000
Length:	71:25
Label:	WEA (Canada)
Prev Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 4
Prev Year:	1999
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 6
Next Year:	2001

Note: Was certified 6× Platinum (600,000 units) in Canada on December 6, 2001.^[11]

Big Shiny Tunes 6

Big Shiny Tunes 6
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	11/13/2001
Length:	67:03
Label:	Universal
Prev Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 5
Prev Year:	2000
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 7
Next Year:	2002

Note: Sold 68,500 copies in its first week.^[9] However, it has not been certified by the CRIA.

Big Shiny Tunes 7

Big Shiny Tunes 7
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	11/12/2002
Length:	64:51
Label:	Universal
Prev Title:	Big Shiny 90s
Prev Year:	2002
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 8
Next Year:	2003

Note: Was certified 3× Platinum (300,000 units) in Canada on September 17, 2009.^[12]

Big Shiny Tunes 8

Big Shiny Tunes 8
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	11/18/2003
Length:	64:17
Label:	Warner
Prev Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 7
Prev Year:	2002
Next Title:	Big Shiny '90s Volume 2
Next Year:	2003

Note: Was certified 2× Platinum (200,000 units) in Canada on January 22, 2004.^[13]

Big Shiny Tunes 9

Big Shiny Tunes 9
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	11/9/2004
Length:	61:36
Label:	EMI Music Canada
Prev Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 8
Prev Year:	2003
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 10
Next Year:	2005

Note: Was certified Platinum in Canada (100,000 units) on March 22, 2005.^[14]

Big Shiny Tunes 10

Big Shiny Tunes 10
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	11/22/2005
Length:	66:06
Label:	EMI Music Canada
Prev Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 9
Prev Year:	2004
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 11
Next Year:	2006

Notes: When the track listing was originally shown via online music stores such as Mymusic before the official site opened, songs by Green Day, Audioslave, System of a Down, Arcade Fire, Beck, and the Foo Fighters were shown to be on the album. These were replaced by songs by Nickelback, Weezer, Seether, Theory of a Deadman, Mobile, and k-os.^[15]

Big Shiny Tunes 11

Big Shiny Tunes 11
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	November 7, 2006
Length:	71:52
Label:	EMI Music Canada
Prev Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 10
Prev Year:	2005
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 12
Next Year:	2007

Notes: The album's official site also lists "Stricken" by Disturbed as being on the album as well, but it doesn't appear in the final product. The album was certified Platinum in Canada (100,000 units) on February 1, 2007.^[16]

Big Shiny Tunes 12

Big Shiny Tunes 12
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	November 20, 2007
Length:	62:19
Label:	EMI Music Canada
Prev Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 11
Prev Year:	2006
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 13
Next Year:	2008

Note: Was certified Gold in Canada (50,000 units) on July 30, 2008.^[17]

Big Shiny Tunes 13

Big Shiny Tunes 13
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	October 28, 2008
Length:	66:37
Label:	EMI Music Canada
Prev Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 12
Prev Year:	2007
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 14
Next Year:	2009

Big Shiny Tunes 14

Big Shiny Tunes 14
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	October 20, 2009
Length:	74:11
Label:	EMI Music Canada
Prev Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 13
Prev Year:	2008

Big Shiny '90s

Big Shiny '90s
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	January 2002
Length:	132:11
Label:	EMI Music Canada
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 7
Next Year:	2003

Disc 1:

Disc 2:

Note: Was certified 2× Platinum (200,000 units) in Canada in February 2004.^[18]

Big Shiny '90s Volume 2

Big Shiny '90s Volume 2
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	December 9, 2003
Length:	136:49
Label:	EMI Music Canada
Prev Title:	Big Shiny '90s
Prev Year:	2002
Next Title:	Big Shiny Tunes 7
Next Year:	2003

Disc 1:

Disc 2:

Big Shiny '80s

Big Shiny '80s
Type:	Compilation
Artist:	Various
Released:	2004
Genre:	New Wave
Label:	EMI Music Canada
Prev Title:	Big Shiny '90s Volume 2
Prev Year:	2003

Disc 1:

1. The Buggles – "Video Killed the Radio Star" (1979)
2. Gary Numan – "Cars" (1980)
3. Blondie – "Call Me" (1980)
4. Duran Duran – "Hungry Like the Wolf" (1984)
5. A Flock of Seagulls – "I Ran (So Far Away)" (1981)
6. The Fixx – "One Thing Leads to Another" (1985)
7. Talk Talk – "It's My Life" (1983)
8. INXS – "Original Sin" (1989)
9. David Bowie – "Modern Love" (1983)
10. Peter Gabriel – "Shock the Monkey" (1983)
11. The Cars – "You Might Think" (1981)
12. Devo – "Whip It" (1981)
13. Martha and the Muffins – "Echo Beach" (1980)
14. Squeeze – "Another Nail in My Heart" (1983)
15. Nena – "99 Luftballons" (1982)

Disc 2:

1. The Clash – "Train in Vain" (1980)
2. The Boomtown Rats – "I Don't Like Mondays" (1979)
3. Billy Idol – "White Wedding" (1982/1984)
4. The Pretenders – "Back on the Chain Gang" (1983)
5. Fine Young Cannibals – "Suspicious Minds" (1986)
6. Ramones – "Rock 'n' Roll High School" (1980)
7. The B-52's – "Love Shack" (1989)
8. Rough Trade – "High School Confidential" (1980)
9. The Psychedelic Furs – "Love My Way" (1982)
10. Split Enz – "I Got You" (1985)
11. The Dream Academy – "Life in a Northern Town" (1986)
12. Chalk Circle – "April Fool" (1985)
13. Tears for Fears – "Pale Shelter" (1982/1983)
14. The Cure – "In Between Days" (1985)
15. Naked Eyes – "Always Something There to Remind Me" (1983)

See also

• MuchDance, a compilation series by MuchMusic first released in 1990 and by MusiquePlus as DansePlus until 2019 and in the U.S. as Dance Mix USA (1993–1998)
• ((DIRECT))

External links

• MuchMusic's Big Shiny Tunes 12 website
• MuchMusic's Big Shiny Tunes 13 website

Notes and References

1. Web site: CRIA.ca . 2007-08-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071007182821/http://www.cria.ca/cert_db_search.php?page=1&wclause=+WHERE+cert_album_name+like+'%big+shiny+tunes%'+ORDER+BY+cert_date,+cert_award+&rcnt=39&csearch=20&nextprev=1 . 2007-10-07 . dead .
2. Tom Harrison, "Big Shiny Tunes finds big niche: Compilation albums reflect modern rock and sell millions in Canada," The Province, Vancouver, B.C.: January 13, 2002, pg. B.5.
3. [Chapters (bookstore)|Chapters]
4. [CNW Group]
5. Ivan Danielewicz, "Spun," Gauntlet Publications Society, University of Calgary, February 05, 2004, URL accessed February 17, 2006.
6. Raymond J. Arsenault, "Big Shiny Tunes really shining," Journal- Pioneer, Summerside, Prince Edward Island: November 27, 1999, pg. A.7.
7. News: Nielsen Music 2007 Year End Music Industry Report For Canada. Reuters. April 18, 2020. Jan 4, 2008. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110805075851/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/01/04/idUS214743+04-Jan-2008+BW20080104. 5 August 2011.
8. News: . https://web.archive.org/web/20080323152551/http://www.chartattack.com/damn/1999/19991117.html . 2008-03-23 . Daily Music News . 1999-11-17 . usurped . 2009-10-10 .
9. John Williams, "," Canoe.ca, URL accessed February 17, 2006.
10. Peak positions for Big Shiny Tunes albums on Canadian Albums Chart:
    • For "Big Shiny Tunes" Web site: Top Albums/CDs – Volume 64, No. 19, January 13, 1997 . . 2010-10-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121019145008/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.9748a&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=c6btf3r8hs459qqt5ln3o3dcv5 . October 19, 2012 . dead .
    • For "Big Shiny Tunes 2" Web site: Top Albums/CDs – Volume 66, No. 15, December 15, 1997 . . 2010-10-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121019145032/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.3418&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=c6btf3r8hs459qqt5ln3o3dcv5 . October 19, 2012 . dead .
    • For "Big Shiny Tunes 3" Web site: Top Albums/CDs – Volume 68, No. 12, December 14, 1998 . . 2010-10-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121019145054/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.6980&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=c6btf3r8hs459qqt5ln3o3dcv5 . October 19, 2012 . dead .
    • For "Big Shiny Tunes 4" Web site: Top Albums/CDs – Volume 70, No. 8, December 13, 1999 . . 2010-10-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121019145117/http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?brws_s=1&file_num=nlc008388.9950&type=1&interval=24&PHPSESSID=c6btf3r8hs459qqt5ln3o3dcv5 . October 19, 2012 . dead .
    • For "Big Shiny Tunes 5" Web site: Canadian Albums – Week of January 13, 2001 . . January 13, 2001 . 2010-10-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20101004194315/http://www.billboard.com/#/ . 4 October 2010 . live .
    • For "Big Shiny Tunes 6" Web site: Canadian Albums – Week of December 01, 2001. Billboard. December 1, 2001. 2010-10-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20101004194315/http://www.billboard.com/#/. 4 October 2010. live.
    • For "Big Shiny Tunes 7" Web site: Canadian Albums – Week of November 30, 2002. Billboard. November 30, 2002. 2010-10-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20101004194315/http://www.billboard.com/#/. 4 October 2010. live.
    • For "Big Shiny 90's" Web site: Canadian Albums – Week of February 08, 2003. Billboard. February 8, 2003. 2010-10-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20101004194315/http://www.billboard.com/#/. 4 October 2010. live.
    • For "Big Shiny Tunes 8" Web site: Canadian Albums – Week of January 10, 2004. Billboard. January 10, 2004. 2010-10-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20101004194315/http://www.billboard.com/#/. 4 October 2010. live.
    • For "Big Shiny Tunes 9" Web site: Canadian Albums – Week of November 27, 2004. Billboard. November 27, 2004. 2010-10-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20101004194315/http://www.billboard.com/#/. 4 October 2010. live.
    • For "Big Shiny Tunes 10" Web site: Canadian Albums – Week of December 10, 2005. Billboard. December 10, 2005. 2010-10-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20101004194315/http://www.billboard.com/#/. 4 October 2010. live.
    • For "Big Shiny Tunes 11" Web site: Canadian Albums – Week of November 25, 2006. Billboard. November 25, 2006. 2010-10-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20101004194315/http://www.billboard.com/#/. 4 October 2010. live.
    • For "Big Shiny Tunes 12"
    • For "Big Shiny Tunes 13" Web site: AC/DC's sales slip, still No. 1 . . John . Williams . November 5, 2008 . 2010-10-04 .
11. http://www.cria.ca/gold/1201_g.php Gold & Platinum Certification – December 2001
12. http://www.cria.ca/gold/0909_g.php Gold & Platinum Certification – September 2009
13. http://www.cria.ca/gold/0104_g.php Gold & Platinum Certification – January 2004
14. http://www.cria.ca/gold/0305_g.php Gold & Platinum Certification – March 2005
15. Web site: Mymusic.com . 2006-11-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110714143326/http://www.mymusic.com/product.asp?curr=1&muzenbr=100099028 . 2011-07-14 . dead .
16. http://www.cria.ca/gold/0207_g.php Gold & Platinum Certification – February 2007
17. http://www.cria.ca/gold/0708_g.php Gold & Platinum Certification – July 2008
18. http://www.cria.ca/gold/0204_g.php Gold & Platinum Certification – February 2004