5 minute read
Throwback Tracks
How music from our past is making a comeback to compete with new releases
Pictures from childhood often elicit song called ‘What the Hell’ by Avril Laviphysical and emotional cringe— gne, and it just made me pause and wash anything from the clothing you away all my cares in the world,” Bhatwore to the eccentric poses. One token tacharya said. “Old songs are gaining of our past, however, that almost always popularity because many of us are conprompts a smile rather than a grimace is nected on social media and are becoming music. comfortable enough to share these songs
Many songs from our childhood have and artists through these platforms.” been regain- Another ing popularity thanks to the “I really love that older reason older songs have nostalgia that songs are gaining popularity added appeal they evoke. These songs through social media in comparison to modare being brought back from under the platforms.” Arohi Bhattacharya ern songs is their ability to very clearly radar through mark certain platforms such as TikTok. Junior Arohi times in our lives. Bhattacharya appreciates this rise of old- Sophomore Karol Bermudez deer songs that carry with them a plethora scribes music as a tool to connect time. of emotions. “It’s interesting how powerful music
“I really love that older songs are is and how it allows us to ‘time travgaining popularity through social media el’ through decades,” Bermudez said. platforms,” Bhattacharya said. “To me, One song Bermudez has heard making it almost stops time and brings back the a comeback is ‘Chasing Pavements’ by feeling of old memories and cheerfulness, Adele. “Although the song was released in especially in the time that we’re in now.” 2008, I grew up hearing Adele a lot in my
Bhattacharya, like many others, asso- household, so it was always in my head,” ciates songs with memories. As songs of Bermudez said. “It felt great knowing the past are now heard in many different that one of the songs that I really enjoy places, they dig up these forgotten mem- listening to is able to reach a wider audiories and act as a source of happiness in ence and that more people will be able these difficult times. to appreciate it the same way.”
“I was reintroduced to one specific Both artists and fans alike have one main goal when making or listening to music: to spread awareness of their songs and reach a wider audience. TikTok has given artists the opportunity to reach this wider audience, benefitting both artists and their fans.
While everyone’s music taste is different, songs of the past have a way of uniting these different preferences. However, some songs and genres face more barriers when trying to make a comeback.
Bermudez believes that artists like Cuco faded into obscurity because the bedroom pop genre died out after 2018. The genre was very prevalent from 2016 to 2018 and Cuco was one of the standout artists.
“Nowadays, people on TikTok enjoy more R&B, rap, pop, international and alternative music,” Bermudez said. There seems to be a set genre of music that gains popularity on social media platforms. Artists may try to overcome the limits that come with the genre of music they create, and when they succeed, they have created a huge hit.
Sophomore Katie Firtch believes that social media platforms are not only enabling old songs to make a resurgence, but also promote a greater variety of artists.
“Now that the internet is a much more mainstream factor of everyday life, unsung artists are being brought to the forefront,” Firtch said. “The exposure has been a constructive phenomenon for everyone, artists and listeners alike.”
As children, we did not have the direct access to all songs that we do now. We relied on CDs and tapes to listen to, which sometimes proved to be limiting. Even with the growing popularity of iPods and other similar devices, songs had to be purchased individually and were expensive. Now, however, millions of songs are accessible on any given platform, allowing old music to be more easily incorporated into peoples’ usual songs.
As more older songs are added to music and social media platforms, many fans are finding ways to spread the music of their favorite artists. “Older or unheard of songs are gaining popularity because fans of the bands are finding niches where they can openly share their love,” Firtch said. People are generally less open to finding new songs that are outside of their genres, or musical comfort zones. However, TikTok provides exposure to songs that are outside of these comfort zones, allowing older and less popular songs to gain popularity, even if they were unpopular in the past.
Even with the increased accessibility of music, some artists remain unknown. One group of such artists are one-hit wonders, who fail to produce popular music even after gaining a platform and releasing more music.
“Some [one-hit wonders] have genuine talent, and were simply unable to maintain their careers, while others were lucky, and the stars just happened to align in their favor,” Firtch said.
As the name suggests, one-hit wonders tend to fade into obscurity after reaching their peak in fame. The fact that the music of these artists is known may be a testament to the quality of their music, as they are given the opportunity to expand their fanbase but
fail to do so. “Personally, I don’t tend to listen to [one-hit wonders’] other music because their hit record will typically set the bar high for their “Now that the internet is future works,” Bermudez a much more mainstream said. “When they aren’t factor of everyday life, able to reach unsung artists are being that bar, many people, includbrought to the forefront.” ing me, tend to Katie Firtch be disappointed.” However, through TikTok, many of these one-hit wonders’ songs are being brought back to life. While fans take an active role in bringing attention to artists, it is partly through the algorithms of TikTok and other platforms that allow unknown, or even forgotten, artists to be brought to light. Firtch believes that these breaks come by chance. “You don’t know what’ll be popular next, and that’s part of the thrill of exploring,” Firtch said. Not only do many of these songs and artists bring up our younger memories, but they play a role in who we are and how we have grown up. Connecting with your childhood through music on platforms such as TikTok has brought back the old happy memories that those songs used to bring us.