"One for the money / two for the show / I never was ready / so I watch you go." As I mumble the lyrics to Taylor Swift's 'Champagne Problems', my mother stares at me with furrowed eyebrows.
She listens intently as we manoeuvre through the kitchen, whisking eggs and flour while trying not to trip over our miniature poodle loitering at our ankles. I begin humming another melody when she asks, surprised: "Was that Elvis Presley?"I shake my head in response, but for some reason the lyrics to 'Blue Suede Shoes' immediately rush through my subconscious: "It's one for the money / two for the show / Three to get ready / now go, cat, go."
It's a scene in our household that has become all too familiar – where songs from our past and present spontaneously intertwine, sparked by occasionally stumbling over the shared verses of musicians from our respective eras.
Moments like these, tinged with curiosity and amusement, prove that music is a potent force in bridging generational gaps.
Now that I find myself thousands of miles away from the comforting embrace of my childhood home, music has taken a newfound significance in my life.
It's a sentimental common ground between my parents and I – a thread that weaves a tapestry of emotions and solace into our relationship through a connected musical voyage. They pass songs down to me like an heirloom while I become their musical tour guide to today's chart-toppers.
During our daily video chats, we sometimes babble about upcoming concerts spotlighting artists we admire (and no, I'm not trying to lobby for an allowance increase to buy The Eras Tour tickets).
I have to admit, my Spotify playlist used to resemble a chic pop-filled musical closet with hardly any clutter from older tunes. As our family group chat incessantly buzzes with news about musicians from bygone eras, I've learned to appreciate the simplicity of timeless bops.
Navigating the bustling streets of Brisbane alone has become less terrifying, now that I can belt out to an off-key rendition of Spice Girls' 'Wannabe' wherever I go. In a way, it feels as if my parents are holding my hands and strolling alongside me.
The musical landscape is like a kaleidoscope – constantly shifting and unveiling new dimensions for generations old and new to discover. TikTok's ascent has accelerated this phenomenon, taking only a 15-second snippet for a song to spread like wildfire.
I mean, look at ABBA! The 1970s Swedish pop sensations long ago established their prominence worldwide, but even with their reputation as musical legends, ABBA has hopped aboard the TikTok bandwagon to remind us of one thing – age is just a number when it comes to music.
The release of ABBA's two new singles in 2021: 'Don't Shut Me Down' and 'I Still Have Faith in You', led to their first album in 40 years ('Voyage') whilst also catapulting their timeless tunes into the limelight of a brand new generation of TikTok lovers while giving a nod to longtime fans – as if embracing an old friend and saying: "Hey, I'm finally back!"
However, ABBA isn't the only band making a resurgence amongst Gen-Z audiences. While Fleetwood Mac has a reputable track record, they achieved another milestone in 2020 when their song 'Dreams' dominated streaming services and topping charts, courtesy of a viral TikTok video.
This sudden boost stems from Gen-Z's knack for attributing a particular 'vibe' to specific songs; for 'Dreams', it encapsulates the feeling of embarking on a late-night drive.
Another artist making waves with a distinct throwback sound to his music is 20-year-old Stephen Sanchez, who skilfully incorporates elements of the '50s into his melodies.
His hit single 'Until I Found You' has garnered over 790.1K posts on TikTok since its release, a large portion of them showcasing Gen-Z users with their significant others. While resonating with old-timey tunes isn't a rare occurrence, there's just one catch to Stephen – he's Gen-Z!
It's what sets him apart from other vocalists his age, because he fully welcomes the musical heritage predating his time. There's a romantic allure to his music – and it's not just because he sings about love – that transports young listeners on a timeless journey to connect with the olden days.
Honestly, Stephen's great passion for retro music sometimes convinces me he might've stepped out of a time machine direct from the past. Regardless of which generation you're rooted in, it's the emotional lyricism that has become a shared language in tying both sides together.
With verses touching on universal themes of nostalgic love and hopeful dreams, a mutual understanding is forged across generations as we sing alongside each other.
It goes beyond that when you realise we're not just reciting the same words – we're exchanging similar trials and tribulations life has thrown at us at different points in time. There's nothing that can get more intergenerational than that.
Well, unless you count my father tapping his fingers on the steering wheel in perfect rhythm to an Olivia Rodrigo song.
He's a simple man with an unwavering dedication to the classics. The sheer number of times I've heard Bruce Springsteen serenading our living room is mind-boggling – if I dig deep enough, I might have the acoustics of 'Born To Run' wedged somewhere in my brain.
He doesn't really favour the vibrant instrumentals accompanying hits, but when I play '1 Step Forward, 3 Steps Back', he shows genuine appreciation for it.
The car radio – yes, we still listen to it – has become our shared jukebox. We've discovered a harmonious middle ground by keeping it tuned to a station that seamlessly transitions from the '60s guitar chords strummed by The Beatles to the angelic voice of 21st Century pop princess Sabrina Carpenter.
Our little time capsule isn't perfect. There are moments when I whine over having to listen to the 'oldies' when all I want is to fully immerse myself in the realm of teenage angst.
Occasionally, my parents will ramble about how 'Watermelon Sugar' makes zero sense to them. But there is still a vessel of understanding, a link between the familiar and the foreign, that allows for open-mindedness and acceptance.
My mother always tells me I'll be having similar conversations with my future kids, when Taylor Swift eventually becomes the Celine Dion of my generation.
There's something heartfelt about knowing that music will continue to echo through the ages, like a time-travelling troubadour, on a quest to foster intergenerational bonds with each passing song.
It's a beautiful phenomenon, really. My family's proof of that.
- written by Stephanie Wong
This article has been commissioned as part of the 2023 Music Writer's Lab, a creative initiative developed by Creative Australia and MusicNT.
