21st century elevator music (Was Re: WBZ should hang its head in shame)

[John Francini]

It may be deliberate "anti-music". I seem to recall that some municipalities have figured out that if they play music that's way out of "mainstream" at certain public places, it strongly discourages highly fashion- and trend-conscious people (read: teenagers) from hanging out in those areas. When I was in Easton, PA a few weeks back, I noted that a major city square that has several tourist attractions has outdoor speakers playing classical music continuously. Not a single 'undesirable' was hanging out there.

It wouldn't surprise me if the purpose of the 50s music is to subconsciously get people to move through the buying-eating-leaving process in short order, and discourage lingering over their food.

j


On 5 Jun 2012, at 8:43, Martin Waters wrote:

>> Joe Ross wrote:
> Oddly enough, when I stopped at a couple of rest plazas on the Turnpike yesterday, I noticed that two McDonald's seemed to be playing 1950s oldies.  I'm not sure why.  The kids who seem to drive McDonald's these days wouldn't even recognize the music, nor would their parents.  Is there some percentage in appealing to the grandparents?
>  
>      That is out of the mainstream for today's background music in public places. The trend I hear now is to '70's and '80's rock. Just last week, in Walgreen's, I heard "Nothing is Easy", Jethro Tull. I'm waiting for the Clash to show up next.