When I was growing up, there used to be what were called “beautiful music” radio stations on the air. Such stations played dreary elevator music, usually of the “10,000 Strings” variety, and were funded by commercials for such things as pharmacies, stores that sell walkers and canes, Buick dealerships, funeral homes, and the like. They were often some of the highest rated stations in a market, because they had a lock on the 65-and-up crowd.
I was wondering if elevator music was, and to some extent still is popular among the elderly, because it was the popular music of the era that the elderly grew up in, or if it’s just something that you like when you get old, for whatever reason. When I’m 75, will my peers and I be listening to Led Zeppelin, Nirvana and Green Day, or will there be some biological change that will make me crave elevator music?
The format you describe was often the first format on early FM stations. It highlighted the way FM could broadcast strings and song dynamics with low distortion and it was CHEAP to carry program. Your announcing staff might consist of one old mellow announcer in the morning (often the owner) and some high school minimum wagers who would segue album cuts the rest of the day.
I speak from experience here.
First called beautiful music, it would later be called easy listening. Outside of a few outright hits (“Theme from A Summer Place” comes to mind) the format depended on groups like 101 strings to reproduce familiar smooth versions of songs that were recognizable from other formats. “Sweet” versions of vintage Broadway songs seemed to dominate the playlist when I worked at such a radio station (we even had the letters EZ in our calls).
Anyhoo, that format is pretty rare these days. Percy Faith is dead and so are most of the folks who listened to his orchestra. However, the listener demographic is still being served. Look around you. The elevators and dentists offices that used to be the main hangouts for the EZ formats now crank out soft AC backgrounds. The format has evolved with it’s audience.
And if one day you discover that your favorite hits are coming from a speaker in the elevator try not to get too depressed.
I remember a few years ago when the local Mcdonalds changed their Muzak format. I was eating breakfast and I was humming along to the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” without really noticing it. The next song that came on was 999’s “Homicide”, the version from URGH:A Music War. Toward the end of the song when it goes “Homa, Homa, Homa, Homa, Homicide”…I realized I was listening to and ENJOYING muzak in Mcdonalds. I was throughly shocked.
I remember reading about how the Muzak corp is based in Seattle, and employs lots of people from the local punk and metal (I refuse to use the term "grunge) scene. So their tastes are probably reflected in the songs that are played.
It sure made me feel old though.
The music these dang kids listen to today is noise! Black Sabbath, Butthole Surfers, THAT was music for ye…Hey, Floyd, spark up that doobie, why don’t ya…
Yep, nitroglycerine, Muzak is in Seattle, or at least they were five years ago, right next door to the Redhook Brewery in the Fremont neighborhood. They do employ a lot of local talent. But they couldn’t care less about local tastes or the tastes of the people who work for them. They have a research department to determine “taste” for them.
I worked for them as a temp, in their “on-hold phone messages” department, for about three weeks in the mid-90s… it was bloody HORRIBLE. Every room in the building was wired with a Muzak radio system – did you know there’s not just one flavor? There’s Classic Rock Hits, Pop, Classical, Jazz, etc., even some Hispanic and urban stuff if I remember right, but all given that same special zombified Muzak touch. They had ten or so of these to choose from, and you chose with a dial set flush into the wall by the door, like a thermostat. You could turn it off… but NOBODY EVER DID. Working in an office by myself one day, I did. But the next person who came in switched it right back on, with a puzzled expression: how on earth did that get turned off?
What really got me is that they were plying the song “HOMICIDE”!!! I mean somebody HAD to have slipped that in on the sly. Could you imagine being in the Mcdonalds that was the site of a killing spree a few years back and hearing that come on? I mean, thats just too funny. Haha…I just imagine someone on the edge, sitting there trying to decide if he wants to shoot the place up, and all of sudden, this guy starts singing “I believe in homicide…”
Hmmn. Looks like Muzak may not be in Seattle any more, but mostly in South Carolina and southern California. They restructured in 1997, and I guess moved then, too. Maybe too many employees were slipping over next door for an ESB or three for lunch.
So, nitroglycerine, it would seem professional analysis determined that “Homicide” is both wondrous and wild and properly harnessable by audio architects to create powerful and persuasive experiences. And make most people hum along and buy more Big Macs instead of go all postal ‘n’ stuff.
And Trigonal Planar, I’m assuming the same thing. Part of why I cried when I first heard Michael Jackson bought the rights to the Beatles’ Apple oevre back in 1985. Nothin’ like hearing “Eleanor Rigby” done in carefully modulated orchestral tones on the elevator up to a job interview. Where DO they all come from?
My mother is 82 and enjoys the Beatles, Elvis and the Supremes–she also enjoys certain classical composers, and the alternative rock group Sans Culottes.
Trap her with Muzak, though, and her head will explode.
I’m sure I’ve heard an “easy-listening” version of some grunge ture form the early nineties in my local food store…