Tag: mother’s day

From Family Time to Me Time, Here’s How Moms Say They’re Using Music and Podcasts

May 8, 2020

Mother’s Day is always a special time, yet this year the occasion—and motherhood in general—looks a little different. That’s why Spotify asked more than 3,000 moms in Australia, Canada, and the U.S. how they’re navigating the new normal and how music and podcasts are playing a role. As it turns out, audio content is truly helping moms make the most of family time. 

Of mothers surveyed, 78% have used music to connect with their kids in the past month, while a third say they’ve listened to podcasts with their kids for fun, education, or even as a break from screen time. Case in point: Story Pirates, a podcast featuring stories by kids for kids, has seen a 39% boost in Spotify streams since March. 

That’s not all we found. From dance parties to moments of meditation, here’s how moms are using music and podcasts to get through their days.

Multitasking master

When it comes to multitasking, no one does it quite like moms. A whopping 81% of those surveyed say they’re juggling at least one other task while streaming their favorite music or podcasts. The most popular activities? Chores, cooking, or working out. Looking for something new to stream while multitasking? Check out the “Listening Together” artist-created playlists in our Home Hub to find music for any task.

Movin’ and groovin’

At-home dance parties are the perfect way to shake off stress, get in some exercise, and boogie down with your quarantine cohorts. More than 40% of moms said they’ve started dance parties in the last month on their own or with their families. Our Dance Pop playlist has the hits you need to get the party started.

Can’t get you out of my head

Mom’s genre of choice? For 38% it’s pop, while 14% are rocking out to rock, and 13% are riding off into the sunset with country jams. Plus, since quarantine began, 30% of moms report having a catchy earworm stuck in their heads. Some of those songs include “Savage” by Megan Thee Stallion, “When I Was Your Man” by Bruno Mars,” Adore You” by Harry Styles,” Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran, and “Raise Your Glass” by P!nk!.

Grrrl power 

If you had your very own podcast, who would your dream cohost be? For the moms surveyed, 35% said it would be their own mom, BFF, or grandma. If you’re looking for a parent-child duo for inspiration, check out fashion designer Cynthia Rowley’s show Ageless, cohosted by her daughter Kit.

Dancing on my own 

Yet besides using music and podcasts to spend time with family, many moms are also turning to their favorite music to get some much-needed alone time. More than half of those surveyed said they’re over listening to the content their kids want to listen to—and that they’ve used music to tune out their families. To get away, about a third of moms say they’re escaping to their bedrooms to listen to music or opting for a solo walk. Some moms (34% of respondents) say they’ve hopped in the car to drive to nowhere just to blast a few songs in solitude. If the windows-down, wind-in-your-hair vibe sounds like your thing, we’ve got a playlist just for that. Another option for Spotify Premium Family Plan subscribers is Spotify Kids, which allows children to explore audio with you or on their own—or enjoy kid-friendly audio handpicked for them.

All the feels 

It’s probably no surprise that moms (like many of us) are just taking things one day at a time. According to 67%, that’s how they’ve handled these past few weeks. Meanwhile, 30% described their mood as “frustrated,” another 30% said they were “anxious,” and 35% said they’ve cried along to a song in the last month. At this unprecedented time, it’s important that those who take such good care of their families also take care of themselves. Moms can check out Daily Wellness for a personalized mix of motivational podcasts, and feel-good music can help create a little “me time” in their routines.

 

Whether they’re singing loud and proud or taking it easy with their favorite chill tracks, one thing’s for sure: Moms are rock stars.

That’s why this Mother’s Day, we created a playlist to celebrate and thank moms for all their hard work year-round. Between enjoying some alone time, cooking for your family, or dancing on your own, the Mother’s Day 2020 playlist has a little something for you.

Stream the Mother’s Day 2020 playlist below and have a happy Mother’s Day!

Add These Top-Streamed Moms to Your Mother’s Day Playlist

May 7, 2019

Still searching for the perfect Mother’s Day present? Look no further than the gift she may have given you: a love for music. Creating a homemade Mother’s Day playlist (much like those handmade cards you drew as a kid) can help you show your appreciation.  

This Mother’s Day, give your mom a little extra themed love by stocking that playlist full of the 10 top-streamed artist moms on Spotify. You can check them out below, as well as a song to possibly share with your own mama.

1. Cardi B

Cardi B has it all: style, swag, and a new bundle of joy. Since giving birth to daughter Kulture in July 2018, the Grammy-winning rapper hasn’t slowed down for a second (not surprising, considering last year’s energetic Coachella performance with a giant baby bump).

2. Beyoncé

Beyoncé is no stranger to sharing her family life with the world. She and husband Jay Z have three kids: Blue Ivy (seven), and twins Rumi and Sir (almost two). And who could forget Beyoncé’s beautiful pregnancy announcement?

3. Adele

Adele keeps her home life private, but fans know how dedicated she is to raising her son, Angelo, born in 2012. Three years after becoming a parent, she released her record-breaking third album, 25.

4. P!nk

Since having two kids—Willow (nine) and Jameson (two)—with motocross pro husband Carey Hart, P!nk has continued to churn out emotional dance-floor-ready hits while spreading the empowering messages she’s shared with her daughter.

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5. Shakira

For Shakira, the Colombian singer-songwriter, dancer, businesswoman, and philanthropist, every day is busy—but she’s happy to spend time with her two young sons and husband, Spanish footballer Gerard Pique, whenever, wherever.

6. Kehlani

Rising R&B star Kehlani can now add “mom” to her growing resume; her daughter, Adeya, just arrived in March 2019.

7. Britney Spears

It might seem like just yesterday that Britney Spears was a teenager herself, but the superstar singer now has two of her own. Her Instagram is full of sweet tributes to her sons, Sean and Jayden.

8. Alicia Keys

It’s safe to say that Alicia Keys’ children have music in their blood; the multiple-Grammy winner shares two sons, Egypt (eight) and Genesis (four), with fellow musician Swizz Beatz.

9. Christina Aguilera

In between making music and inspiring young talent on The Voice, Christina Aguilera is a mom to two young kids, Max (eleven) and Summer (four).

10. Mariah Carey

Pop queen Mariah Carey is a legend and an icon to fans, and to her eight-year-old twins, Moroccan and Monroe, she’s “Mom.”

But you don’t need to stop with these rockin’ moms. “A Song for Mama” by Boyz To Men is the most-added song to listener-created Happy Mothers Day playlists. It’s followed by Meghan Trainor’s track “Mom” which features vocals from her mom, Kelli. ABBA’s “Dancing Queen” and Bruno Mars’ “Just the Way You Are” are also popular picks. You’ll be in good company: Streams of user playlists titled “Happy Mother’s Day” have grown each year since 2016, increasing 19% from 2016 to 2018.

For more inspiration, take a listen to the official Happy Mother’s Day playlist.

Moms Listen to Top Artists, Too—Just Ask Latham Thomas and Her Teen DJ Son

May 11, 2018

Wondering what to add to your mom’s breakfast-in-bed Spotify playlist this Mother’s Day? It might not be so different from what you’d add to your own. Spotify’s latest data on the top artists for women between the ages of 20 and 70-plus show that hits are hits—no matter what your age.

In a list of top listened-to artists by gender and age group, Post Malone and Ed Sheeran take the top two slots for women ages 30 through 59, with Drake, Avicii, and Adele also scoring high. For women 60 and up, it’s all about Ed Sheeran and perennial favorite The Beatles.

Parents have a big opportunity to influence what their kids listen to, and based on the data, it looks like the next generation is repaying the favor by keeping Mom in the musical know.

Take the musical preferences of Latham Thomas, wellness and lifestyle specialist and founder of Mama Glow. Latham and her 14-year-old son, Fulano Librizzi—an accomplished DJ and musician who has spun for everyone from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week to the New York Knicks—both get down to Stevie Wonder, but also thrive on sharing everything from jazz to J. Cole.

We spoke to Latham about what her family is listening to now, and how to bridge the generation gap with the right tunes.

What are your early memories of music?

My mom was always playing music; she would throw on a record and make pancakes in the morning. Especially on weekends, it was Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross. I went to my first Prince concert when I was 3, and Sheila E threw her drumsticks in the audience and my aunt caught them. My whole childhood was always punctuated with music.

How did you begin sharing your love of music with your son, Fulano?

When I was pregnant with my son, his father had a radio show on WKCR [in New York City] called “Jazz Alternatives.” We would hang out in the studio and pull records that looked interesting­­. We had Sicilian tarantellas, blues like Lead Belly, Sun Ra, Funkadelic, and Parliament—which my son loves now. He would actually kick to the rhythm of certain things. I think playing a lot of different music for him definitely helped with shaping his aptitude. Not only is he a DJ, he arranges music; he plays guitar and bass, ukulele. I think all those instruments also help him with understanding how to create a song. It’s nice to be able to know that just our passion and love for music helped to shape him to be very musical.

Does Fulano now introduce you to new music?

Yes. All the music that is current, I only know because of my son. He’s the one who’s like, “Oh, you’ve got to listen to J. Cole, you’ve got to listen to Migos.” I find out about a lot of indie or underground artists. He’ll play me a list of stuff and say, “This is really big right now” or, “This person’s on the come up.” I don’t know all the names, but I stay in the pulse that way.

What songs are at the top of both of your playlists right now?

We both maintain a lot of the same soul classics, like Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson. As far as the more current music, we both have been listening to J. Cole. We both like Cardi B.

How can parents better get along musically with their kids?

If you have a different musical style than your kids, spend some time and get to know who the artists are that they’re listening to, because those people are definitely influencing them. It’s a point of entry for conversation and connection, and it’s a point of coolness for you. Every generation has music that the previous generation just doesn’t get. But if you can gather around what matters to kids, you can ride the soundtrack of their lives and get to know better what’s happening in their own world. Music just has that ability to make people come together.

Happy Mother’s Day!