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Is Old Music Killing New Music?
The Atlantic ^ | January 23, 2022 | Ted Gioia

Posted on 01/23/2022 3:42:55 PM PST by Yardstick

Old songs now represent 70 percent of the U.S. music market, according to the latest numbers from MRC Data, a music-analytics firm. Those who make a living from new music—especially that endangered species known as the working musician—should look at these figures with fear and trembling. But the news gets worse: The new-music market is actually shrinking. All the growth in the market is coming from old songs.

The 200 most popular new tracks now regularly account for less than 5 percent of total streams. That rate was twice as high just three years ago. The mix of songs actually purchased by consumers is even more tilted toward older music. The current list of most-downloaded tracks on iTunes is filled with the names of bands from the previous century, such as Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Police.

(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...


TOPICS: Music/Entertainment; Society
KEYWORDS:
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To: Responsibility2nd
I can say with almost 100% certainty that from a purely commercial standpoint, the period from 1975 to 1995 was the heyday of popular music.

The reason I know this is that on an average of 10-12 times a month I will be in a business establishment that plays background music for its patrons, and at least 95% music I hear is from that period. It seems like that is the prime demographic age for commercial radio listenership, music sales, and concert ticket sales.

21 posted on 01/23/2022 4:00:44 PM PST by Alberta's Child ("All lies and jest; still, a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.")
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To: Responsibility2nd

I’d be grateful for maybe a half dozen artists I could sample on YouTube. Thanks in advance.


22 posted on 01/23/2022 4:01:57 PM PST by Gen.Blather (Wait! I said that out loud. Sorry.)
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To: Yardstick

I listen to a classic rock AM station on my trusty 1937 Zenith black dial tombstone tabletop radio that weighs in at around 40 lbs.


23 posted on 01/23/2022 4:04:41 PM PST by dainbramaged (Use it up, wear it out. Make it do or do without.)
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To: setter
Check out Blackberry Smoke on youtube.

Does Evanescence count as new music?

I like Grinderswitch also

Also Steam Powered Giraffe.

24 posted on 01/23/2022 4:06:48 PM PST by ShadowAce (Linux - The Ultimate Windows Service Pack )
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To: Yardstick

Is the new music music?


25 posted on 01/23/2022 4:06:50 PM PST by Ge0ffrey
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To: Yardstick
2) New music sucks but there's reason to believe it will recover and be great again

This is what people say to me all the time when this topic comes up. So I say, "OK-- Like what?" So they send me links and give me recommendations. And it always turns out that I don't care for it. Not that it not be considered "good music" to them or someone else-- EVERY piece or type of music appeals to SOMEONE (witness rap or electronic music or J-pop or any number of other things), but it doesn't appeal to me (and apparently not to a lot of other people).

I like old songs by old artists because (a) it is good music (creative in lyric and melody and well-performed or delivered), or (b) it is comparable in style to what I already love.

For me personally (for example), show me the modern day Creedence, or Chicago, or Earth, Wind, and Fire. Show me the artists that are making Steely Dan and Doobie Brothers type new material. Where are the heirs to the Motown, Atlantic, Philly, and Stax sounds? Not imitations or covers, but what that music would be if it had been allowed to develop and flourish? That's what I would call good music.

26 posted on 01/23/2022 4:07:52 PM PST by fidelis (Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia! )
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To: Yardstick

Write a good song, and you’ll fill the world with joy, even if you’ve written a sad song.

I’m actively trying to listen to new music. I’m lucky in that I have a kid and two grandkids. (Sunflower, from Spiderman into the Spiderverse, and “My Anxiety” are two of the theirs and I like them both a lot.)

But, even aside from that, when I go on Spotify I’ll ask for stuff like “music to clean house by” or something like that. So I get stuff that is new to me, at least.

We’re not in a golden age now, but there are still good, new songs being written.


27 posted on 01/23/2022 4:07:55 PM PST by jocon307 (Dem party delenda est!)
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To: Yardstick

Who sings songs like this anymore?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrT-TQTLoiw


28 posted on 01/23/2022 4:08:07 PM PST by Kenny500c ( )
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To: Gen.Blather

want good music try you tube.....great early rock and roll and a lot of new music...problem with the new music is there back up bands are not adding to the song...or the singer has one or two good songs and the rest are not that good...


29 posted on 01/23/2022 4:08:50 PM PST by Hojczyk
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To: Yardstick

Who listens to new symphonies, as opposed to works by Beethoven, Mozart, Bach, etc.

Rock and Roll has reached that point.


30 posted on 01/23/2022 4:10:09 PM PST by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Yardstick

Beato is too boring.

But, that’s beside the point.

New music is horrible and dull.

Old music is new to youngsters who never heard it and compared to what the industry puts out is way better.

The industry is all part of the democrat mind control totalitarian machine. Social engineering and thought control matter, not music.


31 posted on 01/23/2022 4:10:18 PM PST by ifinnegan (Democrats kill babies and harvest their organs to sell)
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To: Yardstick

people that have iHeart Radio app?


32 posted on 01/23/2022 4:10:48 PM PST by PIF (They came for me and mine ... now its your turn)
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To: Gen.Blather
Check out Rival Sons

Real Life is more 90s, but it doesn't get much play anymore. Very good.

Mean Mary is pretty decent

Five Finger Death Punch is veteran oriented.

I like the voice of the lead singer of Devil Doll

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy is a good jazz/blues band.

33 posted on 01/23/2022 4:11:06 PM PST by ShadowAce (Linux - The Ultimate Windows Service Pack )
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To: setter

Check out The Warning. All of their stuff is on Youtube, or hit their website TheWarningBand.com. They are 3 young sisters from Monterrey, Mexico that put out some kick-ass hard rock.


34 posted on 01/23/2022 4:12:15 PM PST by msgt (Press any key to continue...Press any other key to quit.)
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To: hoagy62

Absolutely. My theory is that people like the music they heard when they were kids. For me, it’s the 60s and 70s.


35 posted on 01/23/2022 4:13:05 PM PST by brianr10
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To: Yardstick

The secular socialist culture that The Atlantic promotes (the culture of death) is dead as a doornail. Just like all the crap foisted on us from the socialists elites — books, movies, magazines, news, all organs of culture — I’m not interested.


36 posted on 01/23/2022 4:13:11 PM PST by Ge0ffrey
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To: Yardstick

Thank you for posting.

BMK


37 posted on 01/23/2022 4:13:16 PM PST by Wiz-Nerd
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To: Yardstick

As far as I can tell (assuming the stuff my gym plays is representative), the “new” music is anything but music.

Endless computer drum tracks along with shouting and chanting.


38 posted on 01/23/2022 4:13:20 PM PST by doorgunner69 (Let's go Brandon)
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To: Alberta's Child
I can say with almost 100% certainty that from a purely commercial standpoint, the period from 1975 to 1995 was the heyday of popular music.

I generally would concur with that (though I would stretch it to include 70-74). It was the era of a lot of iconic R&R, R&B, and pop acts, and especially a golden age for Soul and R&B singers and groups (before R&B got subsumed into disco and club music).

39 posted on 01/23/2022 4:13:32 PM PST by fidelis (Ecce Crucem Domini! Fugite partes adversae! Vicit Leo de tribu Juda, Radix David! Alleluia! )
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To: Yardstick

I guess I am one of the few who will mix Cab Calloway, Mozart, Bob Wills, Phantom of the Opera and Perry Como on my CD player, and spend the rest of the day in Hog Heaven!


40 posted on 01/23/2022 4:16:11 PM PST by Ruy Dias de Bivar (BACK IN FACEBOOK JAIL, Another 30 days. On GAB now. Some real cranks there!)
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