To bump a REALLY OLD thread ... with a more complete answer:
SUMMARY:
Yes, ratings do matter.
DETAILS:
http://www.omninerd.com/articles/How...ive_Star_Songs
Haven't found if they've updated this logarithm more recently than 2005 (v.7.1)
so... it might be more robust these days. Or not. Depends which way the Jobs winds blow.