Tag: queen

Spotify Listeners Are Getting Nostalgic: Behavioral Science Writer David DiSalvo and Cyndi Lauper Share Why

April 14, 2020

Photo credit: Helen Maybanks

With all the uncertainties of our current climate, music from decades past is striking a particularly strong chord. From April 1–7, we saw a 54% increase in listeners making nostalgic-themed playlists, as well as an uptick in the share of listening to music from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s (with ’50s music listening increasing the most). But what exactly is driving this interest?

For the Record spoke with David DiSalvo, a behavioral science writer and author of What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite, to get his take. “Nostalgia is an extremely powerful force linked to memory,” he noted. “But it has a way of putting a rosier view on our memory. When we smell those chocolate chip cookies, it’s a link to memory that brings us back to a more stable, comfortable place in our lives. We can inhabit it in our minds and feel a level of support that most of us aren’t feeling right now because there is so much instability.”

DiSalvo also explained the powerful role music specifically plays. “Music, like smell, is one of those things with immediate access to that direct, nostalgic memory. It takes you back to that place. For example, everyone can remember the specific song they were listening to during their first kiss.”

Perhaps Spotify listeners are trying to recreate moments from their past to find comfort, calm, and a break from the day-to-day. When making or updating playlists, listeners have been adding plenty of throwbacks—just take a look at the most-added tracks to playlists from each decade:

And they aren’t the only ones feeling the nostalgic vibes. Artists, too, are thinking of days long gone.

We asked Cyndi Lauper, whose upbeat hit “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” is one of the most-streamed songs from the ’80s in the past week, for her thoughts on what’s driving folks down memory lane. “Music marks time for me. So when I hear a song, it brings me back to that exact moment in time. It also helps that I have a really good memory, but music has always been such an important part of my life. Like most, I have a soundtrack. Broadway cast recordings of The King & I and Funny Girl bring me back to when I was 5 and just discovering my voice and love for music.”

Cyndi is also featured prominently on All Out 80s, Spotify’s popular throwback playlist with over 7.1 million followers. She thinks there’s a good reason why the playlist is so popular.

“The music of the ’80s was melodic. That was the common thread and why music from the ’80s is so good. I know for me, my intention was to make music that people would want to listen to for years and years, for decades and decades, long after I was gone.” 

Though many listeners have taken to more “chill” music in the past few weeks, there is also something to be said for pausing on the present and getting down with your favorite oldies. According to DiSalvo, “There is a good part of ‘distraction.’ It plays a healthy role in giving us a break, a reset point when we are in deep anxiety and stress.”

Also looking for a break from the moment? Take a listen to some of the most popular tracks streamed by decade April 1–7:

’50s:

“Put Your Head on My Shoulder” – Paul Anka

“Johnny B. Goode” – Chuck Berry

“I Walk the Line” – Johnny Cash

“Dream A Little Dream Of Me” – Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong

’60s:

“Here Comes the Sun” – The Beatles

“Feeling Good” – Nina Simone

“(What A) Wonderful World” – Sam Cooke

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” – Marvin Gaye, Tammi Terrell

“Fortunate Son” – Creedence Clearwater Revival

“Brown Eyed Girl” – Van Morrison

“Son Of A Preacher Man” – Dusty Springfield

’70s:

“Don’t Stop Me Now” – Queen

“Hotel California – 2013 Remaster” – Eagles

 “Sweet Home Alabama” – Lynyrd Skynyrd

“Dreams – 2004 Remaster” – Fleetwood Mac

’80s:

“Back in Black” – AC/DC

“Under Pressure – Remastered” – David Bowie, Queen

“Livin’ On A Prayer” – Bon Jovi

“Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) – Remastered” – Eurythmics

“I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston

“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” – Cyndi Lauper

’90s:

“Wonderwall – Remastered” – Oasis

“I Want It That Way” – Backstreet Boys

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana

“Wannabe” – Spice Girls

“…Baby One More Time” – Britney Spears

“No Scrubs” – TLC

 2000s:

“Lose Yourself” – Eminem

“Hey, Soul Sister” – Train

“Mr. Brightside” – The Killers

“Hips Don’t Lie (feat. Wyclef Jean)” – Shakira, Wyclef Jean

“Halo” – Beyoncé 

Podcasts more your thing? Get hooked on a ’90s earworm in the popular Reply All episode “The Case of the Missing Hit.”

Here’s What Parents Around the World Have Been Playing for Their Kids at Home

March 27, 2020

With schools and workplaces closed around the world, parents are facing a new challenge: getting work done while keeping their kids safe and entertained—and maybe even helping them learn something. Many are turning to Spotify for all things audio, whether that be soothing songs or suspenseful stories to stream for their little ones.

We took a look at music and podcasts streaming around the world for the week of March 17–23, when many adults and children stayed home. We found that parents have been playing everything from lullabies to help their children sleep to podcasts that spark curiosity.

Read on for audio inspiration—as well as some of our own recommendations for out-of-the-[boom]-box entertainment ideas.

Music for every moment

For the most part, parents have been turning to music to help keep their children calm and put them to sleep—and maybe even get themselves down for a nap as well! Rest-related playlists like Baby Sleep, Music Box Lullabies, and Baby Sleep Aid: Rain Sounds are some of the top-streamed Kids & Family playlists globally. In Germany, Disney zum Mitsingen is high in the rankings, and in France, Comptines & Chansons scores as well. Additionally, Disney Favorites, universal to families around the world, is a top choice.

It’s clear that soothing sounds for sleep win among parents, but families are filling waking hours with plenty of music too. Soundtracks like High School Musical and Frozen 2, as well as Disney Sing-Alongs, have seen an increase in streams compared to a week prior. Older kids are likely enjoying Kidz Bop’s takes on recent pop songs, with “Old Town Road,” “Señorita,” and “Dance Monkey” being streamed the most. 

Of course, your children may also enjoy non-kid-specific playlists—we know, it’s a surprise to us too. Take this opportunity to have them experience the magic (and sometimes silliness) that are The Beatles and Queen with our This Is The Beatles and This Is Queen playlists.

If excess screen time is something you’re trying to avoid, introduce kids to the best music from beloved shows, including Peppa Pig and Sesame Street. Or, play some of the best Movie Theme Songs for Kids and ask them to act out the action and adventure themselves. Finally, if they need to blow off some steam, try Hip-Hopscotch and Reggae Recess on for size.

Podcasts for playtime

Podcasts aren’t just for parents—there are plenty of specially made shows for kids, with storytelling and child-like curiosity in mind. Looking for an age-appropriate podcast for your child? Below are a few recommendations for shows for kids, arranged by age.

Story Pirates (Ages 3+)

The Story Pirates—an especially popular pick for listeners in the past week—aren’t your typical swashbuckling sailors. They don’t steal gold, pillage villages, or claim land; they’re searching for a different kind of treasure: kids’ wildest, most imaginative stories. Each week, the crew aboard the Story Pirates’ ship—including world-class actors, comedians, improvisers, and musicians—takes original stories from real kids around the country and turns them into a wildly funny comedy podcast for kids.

Chompers (Ages 3-7)

Make tooth time easy with this morning and night tooth-brushing show for kids. Kids will hear jokes, riddles, stories, fun facts, silly songs, and more that’ll keep them giggling while they brush for the full two minutes that dentists recommend. To help your family build good brushing habits—something that is especially important as dentist trips in the near future may be limited—Chompers counts the times you brush and celebrates your streaks.

Every Little Thing (Ranges by episode, 7+)

Who invented pants? How did “pink for girls” and “blue for boys” happen? What do dogs say when they bark? Every Little Thing is here to answer your kids’ (and your own) burning questions. Recent episodes include “Is It Weird to Be Nice to Alexa?,” “Symphony Secrets: Dirt from the Pit,” and “Anesthesia and a Mysterious Chili Cheese Fry Craving.”

The Two Princes (Preteens and teens)

Another top podcast from the past week: The Two Princes. When Prince Rupert sets out to break the mysterious curse that’s destroying his kingdom, he’s ready to face whatever dastardly villain or vile monster stands in his way. What he isn’t prepared for are the bewildering new emotions he feels when he meets the handsome Amir, a rival prince on a quest to save his own realm. Forced to team up, the two princes soon discover that the only thing more difficult than saving their kingdoms is following their hearts. Plus, there are even more adventures in Season 2.

For more content for kids, head to the Kids & Family hub.

Which Movies’ Music Strikes More of a Chord?

February 22, 2019

Two of the biggest box office hits this year were about music: the Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody and A Star Is Born, which featured new, original tunes by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. Both films have been nominated for several Academy Awards®, but which movie’s soundtrack struck more of a chord with audiences after the credits rolled? Even though Bohemian Rhapsody isn’t up for an award in the music categories, just for fun we checked our streaming data to find out.

We also looked at the streaming totals to speculate the winners in the Best Original Score and Best Original Song categories. The nominees for the best soundtrack are Black Panther, BlacKkKlansman, If Beale Street Could Talk, Isle of Dogs, and Mary Poppins Returns. For the top tune, the nominees are “Shallow,” from A Star is Born, “All the Stars,” from Black Panther, “I’ll Fight,” from RBG, “The Place Where Lost Things Go,” from Mary Poppins Returns, and “When A Cowboy Trades His Spurs for Wings,” from The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.

Check out who our data suggests will take home the statue in these two categories—and the streaming numbers—in the infographic below.

Tune in to the 91st Academy Awards ceremony Sunday, February 24, at 8:00 p.m. on ABC.

Queen Will, Queen Will, Rock You (and Your Kids, and Their Kids …)

January 3, 2019

Let’s say you were a twenty-something Londoner in 1985, and lucky enough to score a ticket to Live Aid at Wembley Stadium on July 13. There you witnessed what’s considered one of the greatest-ever rock performances: Queen’s incredible 21-minute set. Today, as you stream the soundtrack from the Golden Globe-winning Freddie Mercury biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, you’re embracing more than nostalgia—you’re helping to preserve Queen’s legacy. Not that the band needs much help.  

On Spotify, Queen is more popular than ever—not only among baby boomers and Gen Xers, but with millennials, too. Since the release of the Bohemian Rhapsody film, streams of Queen songs on Spotify have surged 333 percent, with 70 percent of those listeners under the age of 35. Last month, Queen enjoyed a two-week run as the No. 1 global artist on Spotify—and when they “dropped” in the rankings to No. 3, the group remained in good company behind 6ix9ine and Ariana Grande.

What’s Queen’s secret to cultural relevance, seemingly set on repeat? Two words: “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

The first time “Bohemian Rhapsody” nearly topped the charts, in 1992, was when the song reached the No. 2 spot after Mike Myers and Dana Carvey lip-synced the operatic section in Wayne’s World—the ranking was higher than the No. 9 spot the song peaked at during the original release in 1976. Today, Wayne and Garth remain in our collective memory: After the release of the Bohemian Rhapsody film, streams of the Wayne’s World soundtrack were up 361 percent—perhaps thanks to Myers’ cameo in the biopic.

In 2009, the song hit No. 2 on the first-ever karaoke chart. Guardian music critic Tom Service explained at the time that the song’s appeal was the result of a classic composer’s trick that makes “Bohemian Rhapsody” work across several different styles, from ballad to hard rock, to reflective conclusion. “Bohemian Rhapsody is … hugely demanding as a test of anyone’s vocal brilliance, let alone the boozed-up denizens of karaoke-dom all over the country,” Service said. “[I]t’s fun to fail at ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’”

But even when “Bohemian Rhapsody” is on hiatus from the zeitgeist, Queen remains a staple of streaming classic rock among all music lovers, regardless of age. From 2010 to July of 2018 (before the trailer for the film was released), Queen held the spot of top catalog artist on Spotify.

Queen remains popular among listeners under 35 because of their relevance in pop culture; the band has definitively secured its place in the immortal canon of rock. And “Bohemian Rhapsody” in particular is enjoying a pronounced resurgence in 2018 for the same reason it’s always come roaring back into the spotlight: It’s as dynamic as it is fun.

Despite the hundreds of thousands of songs and artists available on Spotify, no track comes close to resembling “Rhapsody”—either as a whole or in parts. It has a little something for everyone, at any point in their lives—even if they were born well after July 13, 1985.

Stream the Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack below.

Update, Jan 7, 2019: This post now includes mention that Bohemian Rhapsody won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture—Drama. 

Mexico City Is Now the World’s Music-Streaming Mecca

November 19, 2018

Chilangos (people who live in Mexico City) have an insatiable appetite for things that taste, look and sound cool from around the globe—and music is certainly no exception. In fact, Mexico City has the most listeners on Spotify globally, ahead of Santiago, Chile, and New York City.

You might think New York City, London, and Paris are the cities setting style, culture, and music trends, but Mexico City is right there with them at the top of the pack. A multicultural mecca of nearly 22 million residents, the greater Mexico City metropolitan area is more populous than both the greater Los Angeles and greater New York City areas, respectively. And, it’s now a top-streaming destination for musicians like Adele, Diplo, Metallica, Harry Styles, Radiohead, New Order, Bruno Mars, Madonna, the late Michael Jackson, and many more.

As a result, artists from all over the world are hitting home with audiences there. Let’s dig into our streaming data numbers for a closer look at Mexico City’s impressive streaming stronghold—and the music makers benefiting from it.

From first to fastest-growing

Mexico City has evolved in a few short years from being Spotify’s first-ever Latin American market, in 2013, to our largest listener base worldwide today. Since we launched in Mexico City, Spotify has opened international artists’ eyes to this global music epicenter as a place to expand their reach and connect with new audiences.

The city’s increasing gravitational pull for artists is particularly evident ahead of the annual Corona Capital music festival on November 17 and 18. According to our data, Mexico City is the No. 1 city in the world for the festival’s headliners. Among them are Imagine Dragons (995,940 monthly listeners), Robbie Williams (322,851 monthly listeners), The Chemical Brothers (117,190 monthly listeners), and Nine Inch Nails (75,142 monthly listeners).

Drawn in by the power of streaming

Lured by the popularity of streaming in the city, aspiring and rising singers and songwriters are in on the trend, too. We’re seeing a wave of touring artists, like genre-bending singer-songwriter Mon Laferte from Chile and alt rock band Diamante Eléctrico from Colombia, flock to Mexico City to connect with fans and make their mark.

As Mexico City’s growing streaming numbers surface through Spotify data, the city is becoming a magnet for major live acts. Take seasoned alt rockers the Pixies, for example. The iconic Boston band’s streams spiked 346 percent in Mexico just one week before a series of performances in Mexico City. With 145,995 monthly Spotify listeners, Mexico City may hold their biggest fan base. Flush with numbers like that, it’s no wonder the Frank Black-led group played last weekend to a crowd of 100,000 in Zócalo, central Mexico City’s main square.

Gorillaz, a popular virtual hip-hop act, is also riding Mexico City’s streaming dominance. The quirky fictional character-based group has 434,023 monthly Spotify listeners in Mexico City. Not surprisingly, they played the final shows of their last tour there. But the Mexico City magic applies to indie artists, too. Hippo Campus, a Minnesota-based band, discovered in 2017 that Mexico City was their top city for Spotify plays as well. This led the group to play there live for the first time in May 2018. Fueled by Mexico City’s music magic, their popularity continues to soar in the area—and beyond—with 1.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify to date.

Rock on, Mexico City

Alt rock is a hit in Mexico City, but so is guitar-driven classic rock. A large cluster of the genre’s most loyal fans can’t seem to get enough of classic rock’s biggest bands, including the Beatles (506,714 monthly listeners). And in no other city is the revival of Queen so evident. On the heels of the recent theatrical release of the Freddie Mercury biopic “Bohemian Rhapsody,” streaming activity for Queen in Mexico City rocketed past a million (1,278,133) monthly listeners in all.

The city has evolved into one of the most sophisticated digital music markets in the last five years—and we don’t see its music magnet slowing down anytime soon.

5 Artists Rocked By Freddie Mercury, the Flamboyant King of Queen

October 19, 2018

He captivated the crowd in a catsuit, hitting a free and unpredictable vibrato. A master of reinvention and a flamboyant front man, Freddie Mercury’s operatic displays were part concert, part theatre, part fashion show. Fans never tired of watching the king of Queen kick, jump, and prance across an arena, but it was his powerful yet deeply sensitive performance style—from soft piano ballads to wild, aerobic onstage antics—that touched them to their core.

Queen’s larger-than-life rock ’n’ roll has been revered and imitated for generations, and now, with the film Bohemian Rhapsody debuting October 24, we get a more intimate look at Mercury’s lasting influence as a thrilling and dynamic rock singer. The new biopic digs deep into the life of the late musician, portrayed by Rami Malek, and recreates his electric stage presence (including Queen’s iconic set at Live Aid in 1985).

Mercury’s star power was apparent from the start. Beginning with the release of its self-titled debut in 1973, Queen developed their own distinctly campy, vaguely classical style, combining elements of prog rock, glam rock, and heavy metal. No matter the genre, Mercury’s magnetic charisma and musical prowess won over fans, critics, and contemporaries. If not for his untimely death in 1991 Queen could have continued, but Mercury’s legacy lives on. See how he’s rocked us all: In honor of Bohemian Rhapsody and as a tribute to music royalty, take a look at five artists who’ve bowed down to the greatness that was—and continues to be—Freddie Mercury and Queen.

Lady Gaga

Stefanie Joanne Germanotta famously took her stage name from the song “Radio Ga Ga,” and throughout her career, she’s never forgotten her devotion to Queen; Lady Gaga has repeatedly borrowed from the Freddie Mercury playbook with elaborate outfits (meat dress, anyone?) and theatrical antics both onstage and off. In 2009, she described her favorite Freddie performance in Rolling Stone. “Freddie created this image of himself as rock royalty,” she explained. “That performance screams, ‘Watch me! I’m a legend!’”

Katy Perry

Like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry is a pop star who loves drama—from colorful costumes to bold, unafraid lyrics, she’s a singer who loves to make a splash. “Queen’s track ‘Killer Queen’ made me discover music and helped me come into my own at the age of 15,” she once told Cosmopolitan. “The way Freddie Mercury delivered his lyrics just made me feel like a confident woman; I’d say his fingerprint is all over me in general.”

Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Early 2000s indie rock goddess Karen O and Yeah Yeah Yeahs weren’t exactly subtle. The band has been on hiatus since 2013, but few can forget Karen’s onstage attire, which was often daring, dramatic, and androgynous in style. Similarly, her vocals could be big and bold one moment, quiet and delicate the next. Listen to a song like “Maps,” with its hard-rocking, sentimental theatrics, for proof of Freddie Mercury’s influence.

Metallica

While Queen combined various genres of music, hard rock—with its over-the-top instrumentation and high drama—was always at the heart of their style. Metallica, one of the biggest metal bands in the world, owes a lot to the mainstream path paved by Queen in the ’70s and ’80s. In addition to their many operatic stage shows (featuring lasers and multi-day setups), Metallica is known for their wild cover of Queen’s 1974 metal-esque song “Stone Cold Crazy.”

Dave Grohl

As drummer of Nirvana and guitarist of Foo Fighters, two of the biggest rock bands ever, Dave Grohl knows what it’s like to perform for giant crowds. In his expert opinion, though, Freddie Mercury did it better than anyone else. “Every band should study Queen at Live Aid,” he told NPR. “I consider [Mercury] the greatest front man of all time.”

While you wait for Bohemian Rhapsody to hit theaters, stream the film’s thrilling, just-released soundtrack below.