I can't believe it. Ever since I got high quality hearing aids and can finally hear music again, spouse and I sit mere feet from the Magnepans and listen to something, anything, every night at dinner, beeswax tapers and the whole nine yards. Last night it was "The Romantic Moods Of Jackie Gleason".
I could hear it but it became annoying because I had so much loss at the top end that I would then turn up the volume so much that it became fatiguing. So I went through maybe 7-8 years of the wife's ribbing before I got my first pair. I now recommend to everyone I meet with hearing loss to just do it. Many years ago I worked in an analog sound studio doing soundtracks for independent video and environmental soundscapes at the Art Institute of Chicago, so I tried very hard to protect my hearing, wearing both plugs and muffs together when I was doing the noisiest of the manual labor jobs I spent most of my life doing, which would probably be the earthmoving. The audiologist thought the vibration of the machines probably greatly contributed to the hearing loss. Anyway, the way my wife tells it, the first time I sat down for our dinner with the hearing aids in and the music on, I got the biggest smile on my face. Shortly after that I ordered the Magnepan .7s. I had heard Maggies for the first time probably 30 years earlier and knew that was what I wanted to finish out my listening days with. One nice thing about them is they do not move air the same way cone speakers do and are much more gentle to me, although I do use a small amount of a subwoofer. I got the latest hearing aids, Widex, about a year ago because they were presented to me as first choice of musicians. I wear a partial ear design because my low and up to some mid is still fine so the tiny amps in the aids fill in the rest of the mid to highs. It's pretty invisible with maybe only some rattle at a high volume/high frequency sound. As good as I made all this sound though, there is one thing I truly miss; the brushes. I always loved a drummer who was great with that swirling brush technique. Unfortunately I can no longer pick up that nuanced sound well. I know it's there but I just can't "hear" it.
I was hoping the punchline was going to be that 80s arena rocker Billy Squier was a descendant of the man who invented muzak, but alas...there seems to be no connection between them. At least, not according to Wikipedia...
I can’t speak to the history of why music in stores and elevators, but in modern supermarkets, I think they have it worked out to demographically suit what they expect will be the average age of the customers shopping. So boomers listening to 38 Special as they shop is no real surprise. Obviously they also keep the air conditioning on pretty high because it’s been proven that if you are cold, you will feel more hungry and be more likely to buy more than you had anticipated buying.
oh yeah, it’s an industry standard. A lot of things are demographically driven as well as music in the supermarket. Think of your average wedding where they play the older songs first because they know the geezers are going to leave it around 10 o’clock while the younger people party till 2 AM etc..
I have had issues with music in shops for years now, because hearing certain songs in public can feel like a dropkick and a swift exit is necessary. (To be fair, I have on occasion also been pleasantly surprised.) However! I'm pro keeping the music, if nothing else, for the staff to have something to keep them going. I can always increase the volume on whatever I'm listening to if I don't like the soundtrack, but having to work customer service in silence is a cruel task.
The cost is the one legitimate reason I can see for going silent, but I also think that in a world with shrinking revenues and outlets for music to be heard publicly, that would be a net negative overall.
The way "Adventureland" (2009) used the most cheesy 80s stuff as ambient music in the amusement park was very funny. Wikipedia mentions "Rock Me Amadeus" being played frequently...
The Muzak and competitors industry also provided income to band members and music types, especially Seattle including SubPop founders. The Jimi Hendrix statue and others in downtown were financed and still maintained by a founder of DMX, another bigger than Muzak competitor.
I like hearing music when I'm shopping and dislike stores where it is quiet. It may be because I worked retail for many years when I was younger and the music playing then has shaped my musical tastes to this day. And I'm one of the weird ones who enjoys grocery shopping.
I typically come in for the special offers and guaranteed personality
I can't believe it. Ever since I got high quality hearing aids and can finally hear music again, spouse and I sit mere feet from the Magnepans and listen to something, anything, every night at dinner, beeswax tapers and the whole nine yards. Last night it was "The Romantic Moods Of Jackie Gleason".
How long did you go without hearing music?
I could hear it but it became annoying because I had so much loss at the top end that I would then turn up the volume so much that it became fatiguing. So I went through maybe 7-8 years of the wife's ribbing before I got my first pair. I now recommend to everyone I meet with hearing loss to just do it. Many years ago I worked in an analog sound studio doing soundtracks for independent video and environmental soundscapes at the Art Institute of Chicago, so I tried very hard to protect my hearing, wearing both plugs and muffs together when I was doing the noisiest of the manual labor jobs I spent most of my life doing, which would probably be the earthmoving. The audiologist thought the vibration of the machines probably greatly contributed to the hearing loss. Anyway, the way my wife tells it, the first time I sat down for our dinner with the hearing aids in and the music on, I got the biggest smile on my face. Shortly after that I ordered the Magnepan .7s. I had heard Maggies for the first time probably 30 years earlier and knew that was what I wanted to finish out my listening days with. One nice thing about them is they do not move air the same way cone speakers do and are much more gentle to me, although I do use a small amount of a subwoofer. I got the latest hearing aids, Widex, about a year ago because they were presented to me as first choice of musicians. I wear a partial ear design because my low and up to some mid is still fine so the tiny amps in the aids fill in the rest of the mid to highs. It's pretty invisible with maybe only some rattle at a high volume/high frequency sound. As good as I made all this sound though, there is one thing I truly miss; the brushes. I always loved a drummer who was great with that swirling brush technique. Unfortunately I can no longer pick up that nuanced sound well. I know it's there but I just can't "hear" it.
I was hoping the punchline was going to be that 80s arena rocker Billy Squier was a descendant of the man who invented muzak, but alas...there seems to be no connection between them. At least, not according to Wikipedia...
That would have been awesome
I can’t speak to the history of why music in stores and elevators, but in modern supermarkets, I think they have it worked out to demographically suit what they expect will be the average age of the customers shopping. So boomers listening to 38 Special as they shop is no real surprise. Obviously they also keep the air conditioning on pretty high because it’s been proven that if you are cold, you will feel more hungry and be more likely to buy more than you had anticipated buying.
Didn’t know that about the temperature
oh yeah, it’s an industry standard. A lot of things are demographically driven as well as music in the supermarket. Think of your average wedding where they play the older songs first because they know the geezers are going to leave it around 10 o’clock while the younger people party till 2 AM etc..
Came for the Clash reference but learned a lot more than that. Thanks!
I would argue listening to .38 Special in a grocery store is a peak life experience
Both of their songs
i need a deep dive into 2-hit wonders
I have had issues with music in shops for years now, because hearing certain songs in public can feel like a dropkick and a swift exit is necessary. (To be fair, I have on occasion also been pleasantly surprised.) However! I'm pro keeping the music, if nothing else, for the staff to have something to keep them going. I can always increase the volume on whatever I'm listening to if I don't like the soundtrack, but having to work customer service in silence is a cruel task.
The cost is the one legitimate reason I can see for going silent, but I also think that in a world with shrinking revenues and outlets for music to be heard publicly, that would be a net negative overall.
The way "Adventureland" (2009) used the most cheesy 80s stuff as ambient music in the amusement park was very funny. Wikipedia mentions "Rock Me Amadeus" being played frequently...
The Muzak and competitors industry also provided income to band members and music types, especially Seattle including SubPop founders. The Jimi Hendrix statue and others in downtown were financed and still maintained by a founder of DMX, another bigger than Muzak competitor.
Just got here. Been busy working for the Clampdown.
I like hearing music when I'm shopping and dislike stores where it is quiet. It may be because I worked retail for many years when I was younger and the music playing then has shaped my musical tastes to this day. And I'm one of the weird ones who enjoys grocery shopping.