In the music industry, there seems to be an ever-lasting debate as to whether the music of today or the music of yesterday is superior. The music of the 1950s and 1960s, for example, can be very catchy and usually has much more lyrical meaning compared to that of today and are very complex instead of annoying and repetitive.

Take the Beatles for example. Regarded by many to be the greatest band of all time, the quartet of Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr produced some of the greatest songs of all time, including “Hey Jude,” “Let It Be,” and “Something.” They annually released one to two albums in addition to touring, which is something that is unheard of today. The Beatles had a cultural impact that can still be felt today, whether it be their latest movie or the songs that can be heard on repeat on the radio.

Older songs have a more happy, jovial tone to them, demonstrated in “Runaround Sue,” “Life Could be a Dream,” and “Kansas City.” These songs tend to leave one in a happy mood after listening and people often find themselves whistling or singing along to them. This is a refreshing sound after the seemingly pessimistic attitude showcased in newer hip hop and rap music, whose lyrics can be repetitive, or depressing. 

Not all songs were upbeat however; music had societal messages as well. “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye is a song about the oppression of African Americans in the 1960s and can be called an anthem of sorts. Ranked the fourth greatest song of all time by Rolling Stone, it was inspired by violence witnessed by Gaye at an anti-war protest in Boston, Mass.

Music back in the days before autotune and electronic sounds found their way into the mixing process of music production had much more meaning and purpose than the music of today. Though most people don’t listen to the classic songs of yesterday anymore, it truly is a lost art that is missed.