Talking about our generations of music
ONE of my pre-Covid pleasures was either running or helping to run singing sessions at a local care home. The residents really responded to the music, often joining in or even getting up to dance in some cases. It is well-known that singing helps to activate the brain even in those whose brain has been sadly damaged by dementia. What music to play can produce interesting discussions. For while the Second World War songs by the likes of Vera Lynn still remain popular, you have to realise that the war ended 75 years ago. So to someone born in 1945, the music of their youth will be anything from Elvis onwards. Indeed I felt old when putting on CDs by the Beatles and Abba, artists I’ve got in my own collection! But the closer you get to the present day, the harder it is to find songs that everyone remembers. You see over the years music has become much more diversified, with people increasingly confined to their own niche. There is no “Top of the Pops” programme to give people exposure to songs and genres they wouldn’t otherwise hear. What’s more the sheer number of radio stations makes it harder to get your song across to the general public.
Gone are the days when Radio One would both promote new music, and through veteran DJs let you get into the artists of the past. Yes there is the Top 40, but I would say its value has been diminished thanks to streaming/downloading. Meanwhile the album charts are
increasingly the preserve of the greats of long ago – No.1s this year have included CDs by both Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones, the latter with a reissue. Thus what songs have stuck in the memory since the early 1990s? “Angels” by Robbie Williams certainly, and Celine Dion’s warbling of the Titanic theme, “My Heart Will Go On”. Tony
Christie’s oldie, “Is This The Way To Amarillo?”, gained popularity thanks to a charity single and a funny video, while Adele’s “Someone Like You” reached a wider market. Both her and Ed Sheeran crossed over to a certain extent, as did Amy Winehouse before her untimely death. Similarly when they had a concert to mark the Manchester killings “Don’t Look Back in Anger” by Oasis showed it had staying power. Yet these are exceptions to the rule. So I don’t envy anyone trying to find appropriate music to play for future generations of care home residents – they must hope Elvis and the Beatles retain their popularity!