MUSIC THROUGH GENERATIONS

by Tina H.

We all know someone who has said, “I love music!” but can only name three artists and listens to one genre.

Hello, that's me. I’m “someone.”

I’ve never been crazy into music like some people are. I usually just listen to whoever is on the radio or whatever sounds catchy. It works for me! My wonderful mother-in-law, or my boss, depending on the day, loves to burst into song and dance her iconic “Debra Shuffle.” She’ll ask me if I’ve ever heard of the song she is singing and dancing to, and almost every time, I have no clue.

My lack of Rush knowledge was immediately remedied with a crash course.

Of course, since then, I’ve learned who Rush is. But it does make me think: there are definitely generational gaps in musical tastes. I tend to gravitate toward artists like Olivia Dean and Billie Eilish, while Debra has been expanding my music knowledge with stuff I would call ‘classic’ and she would just call ‘music’.

Even if our playlists look completely different, music still has this special ability to connect people. For my generation, it might be songs we blast in the car with the windows down, or music we hear in random TikTok videos 400 times until it permanently lodges itself in our brains. For other generations, it was waiting by the radio for your favorite song to come on, or buying a record that you played so much it practically became part of the furniture.

I witnessed that during a recent Celebration Senior Travel trip to Hawaii. Our group went to see Rock-A-Hula, a live tribute show featuring performances by Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson. Let me tell you, the excitement in that theater was unmatched, and rightfully so! The tribute performances were fantastic; Elvis and Michael sang and danced to their most iconic songs, captivating the audience. Meanwhile, I was sitting there realizing I may have underestimated just how huge these artists really were.

I wasn’t born during that time to witness the glory, but even I can see the influence these Stars had. I think that’s why artists like Elvis and Michael Jackson continue to matter decades later. They weren’t just singers people casually listened to. They were Eras. They were the type of artists who changed not only music but also fashion, dance, pop culture, and the way performers entertained crowds.

What stood out to me most wasn’t even the performers on stage, though it was wonderful; it was our travelers. The second the music started, the entire room seemed to come alive. People were clapping along, singing lyrics from memory, dancing in their seats, and nudging the person next to them every time one of their favorite songs came on. You could tell these weren’t just songs they happened to know; these songs meant something to them.

There’s something special about seeing music instantly transport people back to another moment in their lives. Maybe it reminded someone of a first date, a school dance, a road trip, or summers spent with friends. Some people probably remembered hearing Elvis for the very first time on the radio. Others likely grew up watching Michael Jackson completely redefine what a performer could be.

I think younger generations sometimes forget that music wasn’t always as instant as it is now. Today, we hear a song once, add it to a playlist, and move on to the next trend three days later. But for many of our readers and travelers, music was tied to experiences. Albums were played over and over. Concerts were events. Songs became part of family memories and milestones.

That connection was written all over everyone’s faces during the show.

At one point, I looked around the theater more than I looked at the stage because the reactions were just as entertaining as the performance itself. There was so much joy in the room. Not in a “remember the good old days” kind of way, but in a living-in-the-moment kind of way.

That’s the funny thing about music: even when generations don’t fully understand each other’s playlists, the feeling behind them is still the same. Debra probably isn’t listening to Taylor Swift anytime soon, and I’m probably still one confused conversation away from accidentally insulting another legendary band. But now I understand the excitement a little more. Because when music becomes part of someone’s life story, it never really gets old.