# Songs known today which will still be played in 50 years? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [December 21, 2024, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989 "2024-12-21T20:12:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/41 "2024-12-26T10:59:59Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > comparisons between Cyndi and Madonna that I think Time After Time will be known long after all of Madonna’s works have been forgotten. It has a much broader appeal in both the lyrics, the music, and Cyndi’s rendition Plus Miles Davies did cover it extensively in the 80ies… that also elevated it to no end. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/42 "2024-12-26T11:03:09Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > On the other hand, when I made a poll about his exampe half of the answers in this board were positive: they could identify Benny Goodman after more than 80 years. Wrong! Half of us could identify a PHOTO of Benny Big difference ---
**Author:** ![Shadow1414](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadow1414/32/17382_2.png) [@Shadow1414](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shadow1414)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 11:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/43 "2024-12-26T11:47:02Z")
After Dark by Mr. Kitty, perhaps. The song seems timeless. ---
**Author:** ![Lucas\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucas_jackson/32/303_2.png) [@Lucas\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucas_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [December 26, 2024, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/44 "2024-12-26T17:32:45Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > You couldn’t tell the difference between old school flow and modern rap’s use of triplets? Here, [listen to Snoop highlighting what’s different](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0OdmRtuQew) Sorry, no, that didn’t help. I went back and re-listened to stuff from 1986 and some newer stuff and without cherry picking it sounded very similar. Sure, I can hear some nuances, but it all seems like talking over a beat. But as I’ve admitted, I don’t know much about it - it’s not my thing. Nor is jazz, for example. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2025, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/45 "2025-01-02T17:47:04Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Back around 2017, a few coworkers and I introduced C.W. McCall’s “Convey” to one of our younger coworkers in her early 20s. She couldn’t believe such a bizarre song was so popular and even inspired a movie. For a novelty song, it’s not that bizarre. It was closer to mainstream than The Monster Mash and Disco Duck. Anyone remember Witch Doctor by The Chipmunks (David Seville)? ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2025, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/46 "2025-01-02T18:20:10Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > For a novelty song, it’s not that bizarre. It was closer to mainstream than The Monster Mash and Disco Duck. Anyone remember Witch Doctor by The Chipmunks (David Seville)? I never really thought of Convoy as a novelty song, but I guess it meets the criteria. I don’t imagine many novelty songs will be listened to for all that long. I still hear Monster Mash most every Halloween, but it’s been a while since I’ve heard “Beep, Beep” or “Transfusion.” I expect some holiday songs will remain popular for a number of decades. You might still hear Eartha Kit’s version of “Santa Baby” in 2084. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2025, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/47 "2025-01-02T18:27:54Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > For a novelty song, it’s not that bizarre. It was closer to mainstream than The Monster Mash and Disco Duck. Anyone remember Witch Doctor by The Chipmunks (David Seville)? I do. I think it’s a fantastic nonsense song. I remember driving down the street in Florida in the 70s when the local pop music AM station was playing it. You could see people in other cars has it on to, heads were bobbing and people were singing the nonsensical refrain. I hadn’t heard it since it first aired on the Alvin and the Chipmunks show in the early 60s. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2025, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/48 "2025-01-02T18:54:13Z")
For Gospel _Mary Did You know_ by Mark Lowery will be popular in 50 years. It’s already been covered by several artists. It’s a rare new Christmas song that’s become a traditional favorite. There’s a _New Kid in Town_ by the Eagles has been popular at Christmas. But it hasn’t become a part of Church celebrations. George Strait’s cover is the best. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 11:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/49 "2025-01-03T11:00:25Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > There’s a _New Kid in Town_ by the Eagles has been popular at Christmas. Wait, what? What does that song have to do with Christmas? Color me baffled. ---
**Author:** ![Crane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crane/32/3495_2.png) [@Crane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crane)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/50 "2025-01-03T13:21:30Z")
The classic I hear most often as a mood setting piece is “Angel of the Morning” (1967). The biting satire of the 50s novelty songs would probably be banned today - “Chinese Mule Train”, “Yokohama Mama”, “It’s in the Book”. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/51 "2025-01-03T16:03:44Z")
> [@EinsteinsHund](#): > > Wait, what? What does that song have to do with Christmas? Color me baffled. Birth of Christ? Oh wait, the George Strait version changed the lyrics. That’s the only version I’ve heard in years. We’re looking for the king The new messiah We’re following the star shining brighter Old man won’t you help us if you can He shook his head But he pointed his hand There’s a new kid in town And he’s lying in a manger down the road There’s a new kid in town But he’s just another baby I suppose, heaven knows There’s a new kid in town here in Bethlehem **Eagles** There’s talk on the street it sounds so familiar Great expectations everybody’s watching you People you meet they all seem to know you Even your old friends treat you like you’re something new Johnny come lately The new kid in town Everybody loves you So don’t let them down ---
**Author:** ![sciurophobic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@sciurophobic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sciurophobic)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/52 "2025-01-03T16:14:16Z")
> [@Crane](#): > > The classic I hear most often as a mood setting piece is “Angel of the Morning” (1967). What mood is that? It immediately takes me to the opening credits of _Deadpool_ (although that’s the 1981 Juice Newton cover.) ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/53 "2025-01-03T16:33:16Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Oh wait, the George Strait version changed the lyrics. What an abortion of a remake. Yuck. ---
**Author:** ![Zoobi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/13edae/32.png) [@Zoobi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zoobi)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/54 "2025-01-03T16:44:37Z")
Banned? No. Not played because it’s corny and no one wants to listen to it? Yes. ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/55 "2025-01-03T18:10:26Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Oh wait, the George Strait version changed the lyrics. That’s the only version I’ve heard in years. I didn’t listen to the George Strait version because I’m a) fed up with Christmas songs and b) sure I wouldn’t like it because of those awful lyrics, but the lyrics you gave don’t fit the meter of the Eagles song at all, so I suspect it’s a completely different song with only the same title. ETA: I’ve always been torn about the Eagles, sometimes I like them, sometimes I hate them, but their “New Kid In Town” really is a beautiful song, and I don’t want a bad cover with maudlin lyrics spoil it for me. ---
**Author:** ![xtenkfarpl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c2a13f/32.png) [@xtenkfarpl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xtenkfarpl)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/56 "2025-01-03T18:35:53Z")
It’s not a remake. To my ear it has absolutely nothing to do with the Eagles song… at least I can’t hear any similarities. Just the same title. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2025, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/57 "2025-01-03T18:45:51Z")
I never closely compared the two songs. I only hear the Eagles occasionally on oldies radio. I agree its a different song now that it’s been pointed out. AFAIK song titles can be reused. ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 12:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/58 "2025-01-04T12:00:47Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I only hear the Eagles occasionally on oldies radio. … And YR stations ;o) That song is peak yacht rock ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/59 "2025-01-04T20:12:17Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > AFAIK song titles can be reused Yes. Some titles have probably been used hundreds of times for different songs. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2025, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989/60 "2025-01-04T22:12:33Z")
> [@xtenkfarpl](#): > > In contrast, the best showtunes by (say) Gershwin and Cole Porter are probably going to be played for many decades to come. > > Likewise Classic Rock: the Beatles being the obvious example. Yep, classic rock, and some show tunes. Rap and pop are ephemera . > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I expect some Taylor Swift will survive for a long time. I disagree- mind you I like her music, but Pop doesnt last usually. Maybe one song may last, who knows? > [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > Rap has been around for 50 years at this point. Rap itself may not go away, but other than a couple of very early Old School Rap songs, no one songs lats for long. > [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > But as of now, I would guess almost everyone I would associate with around my age or a little older could at least rap a few bars from “Rapper’s Delight” Yep- Such as Rappers Delight. or Deborah Harry singing Rapture. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-known-today-which-will-still-be-played-in-50-years/1011989.md?page=4)