That Classic Feel

By Neha Manuel and Rebecca Lamothe

Humans, who are drawn to fun and unusual melodies, are currently living in a decade in which music is being restated and imitated to interpret the element that music had back in the 1970's and 1980's.

Modern pop artists are using rhythms and harmonies from musical legends and trying to transform them into a fresh, new, contemporary style of music.

For instance, Mark Ronson, an award-winning music producer, said that musicians wanted to be like their predecessors and stated “…they heard it, they wanted to be a part of it… they felt the need to co-opt that music” (Pasick 7).

Some songs from the golden age are considered to be classics, and they are recognized with great value. Generally speaking, if a musician's creation is labelled as a classic, many artists consider it the greatest reward one, in the music industry, can receive. So, it feels that if modern artists follow after what a legend did, and apply their music in some way, they may also be written into the “Hall of Fame.”

Today's music is starting to become repetitive, creating a loophole referring back to 70’s and 80’s classics.

For example, when asked what he thought about modern artists and their similarity towards him, Prince, far from feeling touched, responded, “There might be music that sounds like me, but what good is that? You’re essentially in the feedback loop” (NME 7).

When listening to artists such The Weeknd and Bruno Mars, the underlying rhythm and general feel of the music is evidently pointing towards the 70’s feel. Both artists have a groovy, jazzy sort of style, which is what the classics were all about. They are both attempting to bring back the funk the originals had, essentially proving that music is being recycled. That is not what music is about, but this generation has interpreted it that way.

If musicians continue to choose the path they have set for themselves, there will be no originality within music now and in the days to come.


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“Prince Vector.” Prince Vector. Web. 13 Nov. 2015. < vector>

“Prince On Modern Artists Copying Him: 'It's a Bad Time for Music' | NME.COM.” NME.COM. Web. 13 Nov. 2015. <>

“You Have to See Marvin Gaye by Lola Jenkins!” You have to see Marvin Gaye by Lola Jenkins! Web. 13 Nov. 2015. <>

“A Copyright Victory for Marvin Gaye’s Family Is Terrible for the Future of Music.” Quartz. Web. 13 Nov. 2015. <>

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