Music has never been more accessible than it is today. With streaming platforms that offer millions of new songs instantly, it has never been easier to discover a new band or dive deeper into the catalogue of a rising artist. Despite this, listeners seem to prefer old music more and more. Classics are climbing the charts and dominating popular soundtracks and playlists, while the streaming of newly released songs has started to decline.Â
There is undeniably an aesthetic appeal that comes with being into older music. There is a certain alternative coolness to the girl who wears leather jackets and shows up with Led Zeppelin playing through her wired earbuds. Everyone has “discovered” a niche, older song only to have their mom chime in about how she used to listen to it on her Walkman, effectively ruining the chicness of said song. But this aesthetic appeal is not the only reason classics have more longevity.Â
Today vs Yesterday’s production
I must define old music as classic 1960s-80s era songs. These were produced in the pre-digital age under older industry models. Currently, streams of “current music” are in decline, while vinyl is becoming one of the “hottest” forms of media. We all love classics like Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” or The Beatles’ “Come Together.” These differ vastly from the songs at the top of the charts in recent years, such as “Flowers” by Miley Cyrus and “Die With A Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars. This is not to say that these new songs are explicitly bad (to each their own), but anyone can listen to those songs and tell they simply lack the same timeless quality as many of the classics, even without identifying technical differences.Â
However, looking into changes in the music production business does reveal many significant shifts. Songs now have much less complexity in their harmonies and are often much louder. They rely on more simplistic patterns and melodies and cater to streaming services’ algorithms and short-form content platforms (TikTok, Reels, Shorts, etc.) rather than radio or live listeners. Producers focus more on streaming data and increasing numbers rather than developing talented artists, a trend that contrasts with the craftsmanship and long‑form development that defined earlier eras of music and gave it a more authentic feel. There is no incentive for agencies to invest in developing artists and foster unique talent when they can simply keep putting out songs that appeal to the algorithm and are easy to cash in on.
Blinded by nostalgia?
People also gravitate towards old, familiar music as a form of risk aversion. Nostalgia is a powerful force, and when people grow up listening to songs on the radio or being introduced to them by their parents, they associate it with better, happier times. Classic songs offer a soothing feeling regardless of their actual content and composition.Â
Despite the current dominance of old music, it is not true that the classics are “killing” new songs. In fact, they are just revealing what listeners think is missing. People crave the artistry and long-term development that defined early eras of music production. This newfound love of oldies is a signal to the music industry that consumers do not want songs that are just engineered to appeal to algorithms. Labels have the opportunity to respond to consumers and invest in real talent. The next generation of timeless songs is simply waiting for someone to invest in them.
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