Dividing music into decades is one of the easiest ways to make categories to judge by. It’s kind of funny too, that each 10-year catalogue is so recognizable, even with some gray areas in the late or early years of a decade. My brother-in-law and I, when we’re riding around together, like to try guessing what year a song came out. Our guesses usually start with something like, “This played all the time when I was working at McDonald’s so it had to be mid-90s…” or “We lived in Rhode Island so the song definitely came out in 1988…” and I can almost guess some songs by where I lived growing up. Moving every few years helps to cement certain songs in my core memories. For instance, “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” (early childhood in south Florida), “Tubthumping” (college in Tallahassee, FL), or “What Hurts the Most” (being a new resident of Nashville, TN). Those and so many more are etched into my memory by location but these can also represent music of the decades, too. So which decade of music is your favorite and why is it the 1990s?
There is no decade that everyone would agree is the best, but I heard a song the other day that was released in 2022 and now I’m wondering if the best decade of music is the one we’re in right now. The song is that good. It’s got a retro 1980s vibe and it’s by one of my favorite bands (so I guess I’m biased already?). Lots of people would pick the 1980s and 1990s as the best decades, maybe the 1970s gets in with a few people. But the 2000s and 2010s wouldn’t be at the top of anyone’s list. Feel free to try changing my mind but now that we’re almost halfway through the 2020s, I gotta say… this might be a phenomenal decade for music. Rap is sounding great thanks to artists like Kendrick Lamar and NF. Rockers from the 80s and 90s are touring again (Tears for Fears, Creed, etc). Folk/rock bands like the Lumineers are well-established and making great music. Even instrumental songs are becoming hip because of talented musicians like Lindsey Sterling. But this band I mentioned… I got to see them twice in the last couple of years and I’d gladly go see them again. Check out the nostalgic 80s sound of “scream!” by Judah and the Lion.
I’m starting to believe the 2020s will be remembered as an incredible decade of music. Maybe the best.
-Out of the Wilderness
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