Music analysis: Why older music is making a comeback
A key element of music is that it can be used to determine different eras.
From the swinging 60s to the Noughties, music, alongside fashion, was pivotal to each decade, writes Music News Blitz’s Emma Corrigan.
But what symbolic music and fashion choices were pivotal to the 2020s? Hoodies and scrunchies during the 2020 pandemic, artists like Olivia Dean, Ezra Furman, and Ella Langley?
With a spectrum of artists and fusions of genre, the scale between Olivia Dean’s cross of R&B, jazz and pop, and Furman’s indie pop-folk blend that is nostalgic of the ‘60s, provides audiences with a compilation of sound, and allows us to discover new artists and styles across the contemporary music landscape.
As established artists are making more of a comeback, like Kate Bush and Diana Ross after their iconic songs ‘Running Up That Hill’ and ‘Upside Down’ were played in the sci-fi horror television series, Stranger Things, the new generation are being given a taste of classic hits.
Yet, as many of these songs originate from earlier decades, seeing these artists live in concert isn’t always a possibility.
As a result, the surge in song and performance collaborations with contemporary and established artists has seen an increase in recent years.
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Artist collaborations
Most recently was Sabrina Carpenter’s Coachella performance, where she brought out the “Queen of Pop”, Madonna.
With Madonna’s blend of classic pop and Carpenter’s vintage voice, Madonna’s hit ‘Like a Prayer’ left fans in awe with a streaming spike on Spotify, and a cross-generational performance that will be remembered in Coachella history.
Other notable cross-overs include Dua Lipa’s remake of ‘Cold Heart’ with Elton John, as well as Harry Styles and Stevie Nicks, who have performed together multiple times.
First in 2017 where they performed ‘Landslide’ at the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, reuniting in 2018 for performance in Los Angeles and finally at Hyde Park in 2024, where Stevie appeared as the surprise guest.
When it comes to significant collaborations, Dolly Parton and Miley Cyrus have sung multiple times together.
As Cyrus’ godmother, Dolly Parton’s influence reflects a personal connection, creating a bridge between classic country music and modern pop.
Together, these collaborations highlight how older music is being revived, but also reinterpreted through contemporary artists. The crossover between musical genres and bringing back previous artists, with younger audiences being introduced to classic hits, suggests how voices of the past continue to shape the sound of the present.
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