As I stood in the checkout line of my little grocery store this afternoon, listening to the music on their speaker system, I realized that most of what they were playing was 50 years old or more. It surprised me a bit to think of it but “The Bird’s the Word” was a hit in 1963 and Paul Anka had a hit with “Put Your Head On My Shoulder” more than 50 years ago in 1958. As I explained to the twenty-something checkout girl, fifty years ago Anka was the rough equivalent of one of the Jonas Brothers.
I don’t remember “Shine On, Harvest Moon” or “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” being quite as ubiquitous fifty years ago as the fifty year old pop music is today. Look how popular the musical Jersey Boys is.
What’s the difference? I think it’s the power of mass-merchandising.
