Spotify reports spike in throwback tracks as lockdown listeners turn up the nostalgia

Party like it's 1999: Backstreet Boys are among the throwback artists to enjoy increased streams during the lockdown
AFP via Getty Images
Jochan Embley14 April 2020

In these fraught times, we’re all looking for ways to find comfort. And for many of us, it looks as if the answer is simple: whack on some throwback tunes.

Data from Spotify, the streaming giant with more than 270m users worldwide, has reported an upward trend in nostalgic tracks in recent times.

Between April 1-7, there was a 54 per cent increase in users making nostalgia-themed playlists with titles featuring words such as “throwback” or “oldies”, while tracks from the 1950s saw a bigger increase in listens than any other decade.

The 60s, 70s and 80s have also seen spikes in their stream counts, with tracks such as Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen, Livin’ On A Prayer by Bon Jovi, Wonderwall by Oasis and I Want It That Way by Backstreet Boys all featuring among the most popular choices.

Things to do at home to keep entertained during lockdown

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The lockdown is clearly playing on our minds, with streams of Billie Holiday’s Solitude and In My Room by the Beach Boys increasing by 74 per cent and 44 per cent respectively. However, there still seems to be a fair bit of optimism around — The Only Way is Up by Yazz has increased its streams by 56 per cent.

We’ve been turning to our own comfort songs in recent times — head here to listen through our favourites.

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