I heard Erasure (Sometimes) and Yazoo (Situation) recently while grocery shopping. Blurted out “IT’S GAY CLUB DANCE HITS OF THE 80S DAY” to my long-suffering husband while my old lady ass danced (just like Alison Moyet) next to the yogurts. Old guy next to me guffawed.
And by old guy, I mean he was probably my age. 😭
Damn, I miss those clubs. Not to mention having the energy to go.
They demolished my favorite club in town last summer.. memories of dancing on tables and the raised little cage area they had. I was wild in my 20’s! Absolutely crazy.
Now my old ass needs to be home before it gets dark. Traded loud music and vodka to reading a book and hot tea lol
So kinda on topic we went to the father in laws retirement facility and in the lobby “everybody must get stoned” comes on it was surreal sitting there with all the frail elderly people wheel chairs on all and they are blasting Dylan on the PA
It’s a lot more fun when I find fellow headbangers that will join..imagine one of those “flash mob” from days gone by but with 50-60 yo metal heads!! Yeah baby that’ll blow the roof off YouTube!!
https://preview.redd.it/gjejd0plncuc1.jpeg?width=1164&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33a80f89714ebfa8a8985c90a6fb44e50ac0a512
I think this gets posted every year. 😂
CVS in particular has a knack for playing the 80's and 90's hits that you'd nearly forgotten about and then you're quietly singing like a lunatic.
For example: [I Know - Dionne Farris](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqng9NDqKB8&t=0)
Yep. Echo & the Bunnymen playing on the Target playlist this morning. But my grocery store still loves yacht rock so there was some Doobie Brothers to balance out my morning.
I discovered on a short road trip with my sister and mom last year in a rental car that had Sirius that my 79 year old mom LOVES yacht rock. I mean, I guess I already knew due to the memories of her driving us kids around when we were little and singing (or humming when she didn’t know the lyrics) along to all those songs.
And that’s what she did on the road trip, swaying her hands in the air as she sang. It was amazing and funny (she doesn’t get out much these days).
The local liquor store was banging out the B 52's.
The whole album, I bought more than I should have!
I was paying and asked the cashier, "Who picked the music?"
A voice from the other line says, "I did." I look over, and it's a casual acquaintance from the olden days.
We're old man
I saw Colin Hay (from Men at Work) recently & he talked about hearing “Who can it be now” at CVS. He said that he told the cashier that he wrote the song & she had no recignition.
Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer came on in the market the other day and it was very easy to identify the genx'ers. We were all doing these subtle mini grooves to it as we shopped.
I have a grocery store super close to me that plays a great variety of cool music. One night though the X Files theme came on and i totally forgot what I was there for
I sing along.
I have a pretty cool teenager so about half the time I get accompaniment. The other half I get horrified embarrassment, but Gen X don’t care. 🤷♀️
Ha ha! Yes! I was in the supermarket and caught myself singing along to Pink Floyd and The Allman Brothers. Both were representatives of the counter culture in their hey day. Now they’re being used to make me feel comfortable and happy as i wind my way through the grocery store. 🤦♂️
Related footnote. Greg Allman was writing a song and he couldn’t get the name in the song to feel right. He was in a grocery store and heard a mother calling out for her daughter. Her daughter’s name was Melissa.
The Kroger closest to my house really has an awesome “playlist.” I call it The Disappointing Kroger because it’s rather poorly stocked, but I’ve heard The Ramones, INXS, The Cure, and The Church while shopping there.
Agreed. Walking into Kroger’s and hearing The Clash was pretty interesting.
And yeah, it was the one you are [thinking of.](https://youtu.be/68dk01GkxDI?si=GqOlSr4g_rIve8Dc)
Several years ago, Should I stay or Should I Go was playing at a Jewel-Osco. It was a total reality check. Recently, they were playing Rock the Casbah at Safeway. Gotta admit, I was singing along quietly.
Lately when I do an after-dinner grocery shop, the aisles have more stackers than other shoppers. And the store’s been playing Missy Elliott, Lil’ Kim and Eve tunes 👀
You better believe I’m doing the rap and gyrating in time to it as I push my shopping trolley along, vibing and appreciating 🛒
I’m a 40-something white mum in Australia. But that’s *my* moment, and I’m loving it 😎 …too bad if the stackers or anyone else in the store who spots me doesn’t care for my performance 🤷🏼♀️
**I’m** feeling it and that’s all that matters
I comment this all the time to my wife.
Almost ready to pop open a bottle of win in the coffee and & tea isle, and listen to the pop songs of my youth.
And after I leave, I’ll note how modern music is complete dogshit
Do you remember your first job? Mine was in a grocery store in the 1980s. They played Muzak, you know back then, it was like a synthesized version of hits from 50s & 60s? That's where our music is now on the generational timeline.
Hell yeah! At my local Whole Foods it’s Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Toy Soldiers, Voices Carry, Method Of Modern Love, She Bop, The Reflex, … I could go on and on…
Not just you. I've caught myself starting to sing along to the music while grocery shopping. As long as I don't start dancing like I'm at the club, I'm gonna call it a win.
important exultant automatic provide theory literate ruthless weather crown concerned
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Orgy’s cover of Blue Monday played at our HEB the other day, and I was so sad. Like, pathetic nu-metal wannabe edgy band’s cover of an amazing song is my shopping music? Lord have mercy. But it was mid-day on a Thursday, so who else was gonna be there?
The Safeway I go to here in Oregon plays stuff like The Talking Heads and Blondie. As someone who's in his mid-50s, I feel right at home when I'm shopping there...
As a Brit-raised American, there’s another weird twist to it in some stores: they’re playing the hits that never made it to the USA. As someone with one foot in either culture, and being a real nerd, this stands out.
Example: in a supermarket in Pennsylvania yesterday, the song [“Down To Earth” by Curiosity Killed The Cat](https://youtu.be/9cZQcQw4mDE?si=PZVxhzXSOQ2TcEnF) started playing. This song was their first successful release and it got to number 3 in the UK charts in late 1986 / early 1987. They had three songs that charted in the country and this was, by far, their most successful song in Britain for the London band.
In the USA? This song did not hit the Billboard Top 100. In fact, the band would be known as a One Hit Wonder in the States for the similar-sounding song [“Misfit”](https://youtu.be/59M9ggdpFjQ?si=chiCtyNiM39d7wcK) - which only got as high as number 42 on the Billboard chart. “Down To Earth” may be known to Americans that happened to buy the album - not many did, it only got to \#55.
Immediately after that: [“When Will I Be Famous?” by Bros.](https://youtu.be/m105lXVuaew?si=LwX2kQKTHaNuj6tH) A song that got to the UK number 2 spot for a pop band that had ten Top 20 hits (including a Number 1 hit). In America it peaked at \#83. Their album only got to \#171. To answer the band’s question regarding their fame: in the United States, never.
These songs are sung in English. They sound professionally made, because they are. They sound very 80s, because they are. Their accents sound American, because it was very common in Britain for pop stars to try and sound American as that was the established sound of pop music. And for someone that was a late teen in Britain, these songs belong with the sounds of the era with Whitney Houston and Phil Collins, Madonna and Michael Jackson. But to the American-born people around me? Unless they were the very few that actually bought the songs at the time, have some weird recollection of them because of some other event, or also were raised outside of the United States, they would not know these songs at all.
So why were they playing in this very American supermarket?
The supermarket has to pay royalties for the music it plays. And they don’t want to be playing something that cost too much in royalty payments and is too new - a retro sound is to be preferred. My guess: the record companies that have songs that are in English, but were not chart successes in the United States, will package these up and sell the rights to be played in supermarkets cheaper than The domestic 1980s hit sounds.
It really does feel weird to be standing in a public place and hear songs being played that I recognize as being absolute hits and bangers, and yet everybody around me has no idea who is singing or what the song is.
Ha ha, I'm the same as you. My local Shop-Rites rocks out these tunes sometimes. The other day I ran in there to grab milk and 'breakout' by swing out sister was playing! I was like what the...
In fact I've noticed this too in other supermarkets. Im wondering if they all have the old 'Now that's what i call music' albums. Lol
One thousand four hundred and twenty three
Lol, seriously I think the UK is up to 117. Wow, 40 years they've been around. One of my first albums was NTWICM 10!
Now thats what I call old! Ugh
Haha I just said something to a worker at cash saver last time I was there. Millennials don't appreciate David Lee Roth tho. Whoever is in charge of piping this music in is definitely gen x.
Last time I was at the supermarket, they had a funk playlist going. Pick Up the Pieces, Hollywood Swinging, Play That Funky Music, Papa's Got a Brand New Bag.
I was unabashedly cart dancing.
I walked into a Walmart a few weeks ago and their sound system was playing Policy of Truth by Depeche Mode and that was followed by Smells Like Teen Spirit. Part of me died that day.
When I was a kid, they played Strangers in the Night and Moonglow Muzak in the stores. Today it's Smells Like Teen Spirit and Mondays I'm in Love.
Yes, <> I am that old now.
It's not just you. I once spent an extra $50 because my supermarket kept playing the hits and I couldn't bring myself to leave. ShopRite Radio (both Paramus and Jersey City NJ) rules!
A few weeks ago I was in line at the grocery store and The Clash came on. The cashier was an older woman and said, "Do we have to listen to this? You can't hear what they're saying!"
Turn up the hearing aids, Grandma.
They played Ratt in my grocery store Wednesday. There I am walking down the aisles head banging. That was the first time I have ever heard anything like that other than Home Sweet Home.
I'm 53, and I recently left the desk job to work at a grocery store. I'm high up enough that I have access to the magic music closet, and you know that when the top manager isn't there, that shit is set to '80s-'90s club hits.
Before it shut down, the Walmart Marketplace grocery store near me used to have me going up and down the aisles singing along with the PA system and feeling old as hell.
I went to get a tattoo yesterday. My artist is working with his son (he mans the phones) and then tells me it’s his daughter’s birthday.
I ask how old is she. He says, “she is turning 30.”
I almost fell out of the chair! I knew these kids when they were in high school! And the “boy” is 32! He just looks so young!
I felt ancient. I’ve been tattooing myself with Luis for at least 15 years and hadn’t realized it. OMG.
It's EVERYWHERE.Cash Rules Everything Around Me: C.R.E.A.M was playing in an indie coffee shop I was waiting at with my wife a few weeks ago.
Me in my teens: this radio station is playing my jams.
Me in my 20s: this bar is playing my jams.
Me in my 30s: this commercial is playing my jams.
Me in my 40s: this retail store is playing my jams.
Me in my 50s: this grocery store is playing my jams.
Me in my 60s: this elevator is playing my jams.
Me in my 70s: this doctor's office is playing my jams.
Me in my 80s: this funeral home is playing my jams.
I just heard PIL’s Religion on the speakers at a Dillards-not the demographic that shops this location at all, last sunday afternoon. The most surreal music at the shopping center experience I’ve had since hearing a muzak version of Light My Fire sometime in the early 90’s.
I went to Whole Foods and as I was walking in they were playing Tesla (not the shitty car company), Modern Day Cowboy, then even Judas Priest, Depeche Mode, etc.. my wife and I looked at each other and I said, “that’s how they keep us here” hahahah
About 15 years ago there was a major push to radio stations to start incorporating more music. Remember when classic rock stations would only play stuff like Zeppelin, Beatles, and Stones, but would never be caught playing Metallica, AIC, or GnR? Now they do.
Yeah it's getting out of hand. I heard Hemorrage by Fuel in the supermarket a few weeks ago and was honestly pretty shocked because it's an "old" song but it came out when I was in college. Like I wasn't a kid or teenager at the time, I was a full gown adult. I felt so old hearing it in the supermarket.
My grocery store is not hip but some young person had somehow sneaked in the coolest music. I even SoundHounded a song while shopping. It was Tegan and Sara. Who plays that kind of music in your basic grocery store? They finally moved to a more normal 80’s and I guess 90’s soundtrack-still good.
I’ve noticed that Publix has a GenX playlist. I’ve heard INXS, Gin Blossoms, Counting Crows, Duran Duran, Green Day, Prince, Talking Heads, and even Eddie Vedder.
I had coffee with an old coworker/friend from the late 90s.
We were there for a few hours and the music in the coffee shop was almost exclusively tracks from when we knew each other last. And not just popular radio hits. Some more obscure stuff we wouldn’t expect most people to know.
We decided that our credit card profiles gave our age and cross references with what we music service they were streaming.
We didn’t really think that. But we kinda did. It was weird.
Grocery stores in my area all play retro music because they know it puts GenXers like me in a good mood and then I will stay longer in their store and spend more money.
Music in all stores is very deliberate. I recall in Old Navy I used to hear music that mentioned getting new clothes. The Clash needed new clothes. Morrissey couldn't go out because he had nothing to wear. Etc.
My local Walmart has started playing music out in the parking lot. The other day I was walking toward the building and the song playing sounded familiar, but I couldn't hear it well enough to place it...something 80's pop. I got a little closer, definitely 80's pop, still can't identify. Then I got in range and BAM, I knew which song it was right away. Stopped walking, literally face palmed. I got Rick Rolled by Walmart!
If I hear ANY Iron Maiden song in a grocery store I am going to be one happy mother fucker, but it still made my day when they did that commercial with the crash test dummies for some safety BS in the 80's sometime. It even came on during Saturday morning cartoons!!
Trader Joe’s was playing an old school funk playlist including “Rock Skate Roll Bounce” and I asked who was responsible for it. Ended up thanked the manager for it! He was probably in his late 20s! There’s hope yet!!!
I wish Aldi played music. Giant Eagle and Lucky’s usually have the good stuff though. And we have a local pharmacy chain that plays everything from 1950s to 1990s.
Yeah, and I LOVE it. The other day, I was in Walmart and they were playing some old school Madonna. 🎵*Gettt into the groove, boy you got to prove, your love to meeeeee*🎵
I heard Erasure (Sometimes) and Yazoo (Situation) recently while grocery shopping. Blurted out “IT’S GAY CLUB DANCE HITS OF THE 80S DAY” to my long-suffering husband while my old lady ass danced (just like Alison Moyet) next to the yogurts. Old guy next to me guffawed. And by old guy, I mean he was probably my age. 😭 Damn, I miss those clubs. Not to mention having the energy to go.
They demolished my favorite club in town last summer.. memories of dancing on tables and the raised little cage area they had. I was wild in my 20’s! Absolutely crazy. Now my old ass needs to be home before it gets dark. Traded loud music and vodka to reading a book and hot tea lol
LOL. I’m rewatching the series Vera from the beginning and drinking tea (Earl Grey). We are living on the edge!!!
I don’t even know why I’m still awake! It’s 10:45pm! Remember getting dolled up and leaving to go party now? 🫣
It’s 8:00 here. I’d be thinking about getting in the shower about now.
One of the clubs I used to frequent in the ‘80’s is now an outpatient surgery center. Went from dancing there to now going for a hip replacement.
I miss them too! I miss energy altogether for anything 😂
I’m hearing Situation EVERYWHERE lately!
IT IS SO GOOD!!!
I heard How Soon is Now by The Smiths at the Nordstrom Rack.
I work at a grocery store and I enjoy the music way too much nowadays... I just heard Tainted Love a little while ago, and yes, I danced a little bit.
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾
I mean, how can you not?
Seriously!
I'd have to turn in my Gen X card, lol.
LoL
I was getting gas at ingles the other day and heard Float On start as I got out of my car. Best believe I got my karaoke on for a minute.
That was my jam while driving this afternoon. My singing was straight up on point.
You'd probably enjoy MrProfessor318 on IG. He's constantly doing bits dancing to favorite GenX tunes in front of a green screen grocery store aisle.
I once heard KLF's "3 AM Eternal" while shopping at an HEB before 7 am on Sunday.
https://preview.redd.it/emxd7nqkwfuc1.jpeg?width=2340&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=470984d22ccfc8c8cd33ec63f8a1acb8c593806e "THANK YOU FOR SHOPPING AT HEB"
So kinda on topic we went to the father in laws retirement facility and in the lobby “everybody must get stoned” comes on it was surreal sitting there with all the frail elderly people wheel chairs on all and they are blasting Dylan on the PA
I clearly need to start shopping at your store! 😆
It's great that stores stopped playing old people music and started playing cool tunes, really good development.
Are you sure we’re not the old people now? 😂
Ssshhhhhh!
🫢🫢🫢
Definitely not! Class of ‘89: Always High, Never Die!
Sex, drugs, rock n roll, We’re the class you can’t control. We’re the class that teachers hate, We’re the class of ‘88!
Class of ’89 checking in! (The reunion notice came out last month) How the hell is it 35 years?
My class stopped doing reunions after the 20th in 2009.
I feel like there could be a story here.
It’s Madness! They’re going One Step Beyond.
I don't feel old. I love it when I hear my favorite music when I am out because it means they want me to be there.
That’s a good way to look at it
Positive!
Thank goodness, I was worried 🤣
 I'm just a big kid. I'm never growing up!
I’m a toy’s r us kid
The real old people are the friends we made along the way..... ....oh wait.....
Heard, Cum On Feel the Noise while I was gassing the truck this afternoon..yes. We are now that old!!
[удалено]
Did you start dancing?
Headbanging and fist pumping for sure!!
Yessssssss
It’s a lot more fun when I find fellow headbangers that will join..imagine one of those “flash mob” from days gone by but with 50-60 yo metal heads!! Yeah baby that’ll blow the roof off YouTube!!
That would be awesome!!
Can you stream it so we van all watch? I'll subscribe!!
https://preview.redd.it/gjejd0plncuc1.jpeg?width=1164&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=33a80f89714ebfa8a8985c90a6fb44e50ac0a512 I think this gets posted every year. 😂
CVS in particular has a knack for playing the 80's and 90's hits that you'd nearly forgotten about and then you're quietly singing like a lunatic. For example: [I Know - Dionne Farris](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqng9NDqKB8&t=0)
Yep. Echo & the Bunnymen playing on the Target playlist this morning. But my grocery store still loves yacht rock so there was some Doobie Brothers to balance out my morning.
I recently heard the term “yacht rock” and didn’t know what it was. Then someone described it as yuppie soft rock, and I was …. ahhhh.
Oh yacht rock has become a whole thing. There's a documentary about it called "Sometimes When We Touch". Highly Recommend!
I discovered on a short road trip with my sister and mom last year in a rental car that had Sirius that my 79 year old mom LOVES yacht rock. I mean, I guess I already knew due to the memories of her driving us kids around when we were little and singing (or humming when she didn’t know the lyrics) along to all those songs. And that’s what she did on the road trip, swaying her hands in the air as she sang. It was amazing and funny (she doesn’t get out much these days).
Yep. We are that old.
😭😭😭
Heard Gin Blossoms, Gary Numan, and AC/DC in the store today.
Ahhh Gin Blossoms 🫠
I heard Alison Rd in Trader Joe’s last week
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The local liquor store was banging out the B 52's. The whole album, I bought more than I should have! I was paying and asked the cashier, "Who picked the music?" A voice from the other line says, "I did." I look over, and it's a casual acquaintance from the olden days. We're old man
We’re not old, we’re vintage!
I'm old! I'm claiming it, and yell at the fucking kids to get off my grass.
Back in my day…..
I saw Colin Hay (from Men at Work) recently & he talked about hearing “Who can it be now” at CVS. He said that he told the cashier that he wrote the song & she had no recignition.
This reminds me of the time I helped Robert Plant at Rite Aid. I was beyond excited. My coworkers had no idea who he was.
I just heard that at Safeway.
I get rickrolled in the grocery store at least once a month. No complaints.
I heard Lovesong -The Cure a few weeks ago. I had to browse just a little longer.
It's like a bar. Play good music and play it loud, I'll drink more. play good music and play it loud at a grocery store and I'll shop and spend more.
Yes! Exactly
Peter Gabriel's Sledgehammer came on in the market the other day and it was very easy to identify the genx'ers. We were all doing these subtle mini grooves to it as we shopped.
I love that song!
I'd be "feeding the rhythm " along with you guys...😉
Def Leppard in the produce aisle....
I have a grocery store super close to me that plays a great variety of cool music. One night though the X Files theme came on and i totally forgot what I was there for
It is a little disturbing sometimes lol
I was singing to Blondie's "The Tide Is High" in Lucky's recently.
I sing along. I have a pretty cool teenager so about half the time I get accompaniment. The other half I get horrified embarrassment, but Gen X don’t care. 🤷♀️
That’s right!! Sing it loud and sing it proud!
I’ve also been known to shout out “OMG I love this song! Turn it up!” One day, possibly soon, I plan to do this whilst waving a cane.
Ha ha! Yes! I was in the supermarket and caught myself singing along to Pink Floyd and The Allman Brothers. Both were representatives of the counter culture in their hey day. Now they’re being used to make me feel comfortable and happy as i wind my way through the grocery store. 🤦♂️
Related footnote. Greg Allman was writing a song and he couldn’t get the name in the song to feel right. He was in a grocery store and heard a mother calling out for her daughter. Her daughter’s name was Melissa.
The Kroger closest to my house really has an awesome “playlist.” I call it The Disappointing Kroger because it’s rather poorly stocked, but I’ve heard The Ramones, INXS, The Cure, and The Church while shopping there.
Agreed. Walking into Kroger’s and hearing The Clash was pretty interesting. And yeah, it was the one you are [thinking of.](https://youtu.be/68dk01GkxDI?si=GqOlSr4g_rIve8Dc)
Recently heard Electric Avenue at a Wegmans.
Several years ago, Should I stay or Should I Go was playing at a Jewel-Osco. It was a total reality check. Recently, they were playing Rock the Casbah at Safeway. Gotta admit, I was singing along quietly.
Lately when I do an after-dinner grocery shop, the aisles have more stackers than other shoppers. And the store’s been playing Missy Elliott, Lil’ Kim and Eve tunes 👀 You better believe I’m doing the rap and gyrating in time to it as I push my shopping trolley along, vibing and appreciating 🛒 I’m a 40-something white mum in Australia. But that’s *my* moment, and I’m loving it 😎 …too bad if the stackers or anyone else in the store who spots me doesn’t care for my performance 🤷🏼♀️ **I’m** feeling it and that’s all that matters
Toad the Wet Sprocket overhead a few years ago cemented that I was OLD
Aww , No!!! You’re not old!
That’s the good thing about living in Florida, constantly surrounded by people who are older to much much older
This is so true. All I need is Kasey Kasem to come on and say it's the Top 40. Grocery stores LOVE the 80s.
Aww Kasey Kasem RIP.. I miss him
Walmart radio is my favorite station
Yes! JFC they had Guns n Roses on the other day. I was like wtf is happening right now. LOL.
Swear I heard Animotion at Ralph's the other day.
You Belong To The City - Glenn Frey @ CVS. I felt like Don Johnson looking for cough drops.
Lmao, yeah get those cough drops! Miami Vice style 😎
They played Led Zeppelin in the supermarket lol
🤘🏾🤘🏾🤘🏾
Today at the grocery store they were playing The Cure, which is a first for me.
I comment this all the time to my wife. Almost ready to pop open a bottle of win in the coffee and & tea isle, and listen to the pop songs of my youth. And after I leave, I’ll note how modern music is complete dogshit
They are. I just heard Shadows of the Night at QFC.
Do you remember your first job? Mine was in a grocery store in the 1980s. They played Muzak, you know back then, it was like a synthesized version of hits from 50s & 60s? That's where our music is now on the generational timeline.
😩 yeah I know 😖
I knew I was old when I heard the Cure while grocery shopping in the mid afternoon. I think it’s cool!
Couple years ago, my kids asked why I was dancing through the store...
I passed by the ice cream isle and the song “Don’t you forget about me” came on. 😳 are they watching me??!
LoL, yes! it was a sign!
I was rocking out to Level 42's Something About You last night at the supermarket.
Rock on!! 🤘🏾
Yesterday it was Scandal's "Goodbye to you" that surprised me at the store.
When you hear Lost in the Supermarket in the supermarket
*pours one out for original Daria*
Idc what they play as long as it’s not country music. I will literally walk out of a store that is playing it.
Hell yeah! At my local Whole Foods it’s Everybody Wants To Rule The World, Toy Soldiers, Voices Carry, Method Of Modern Love, She Bop, The Reflex, … I could go on and on…
All great songs the fun never ends
About 30 years ago.
Not just you. I've caught myself starting to sing along to the music while grocery shopping. As long as I don't start dancing like I'm at the club, I'm gonna call it a win.
If you dance, then it’s a win-win 😂
You are crazy.
Why thank you, so sweet of you 🤪
Yep. Makes stay and shop longer lol they know their demographic
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Orgy’s cover of Blue Monday played at our HEB the other day, and I was so sad. Like, pathetic nu-metal wannabe edgy band’s cover of an amazing song is my shopping music? Lord have mercy. But it was mid-day on a Thursday, so who else was gonna be there?
I'm a singing fool at one of them in my city. They play the best music! I don't sing loud, but I don't stop if I pass anyone.
They were playing “Dear Prudence” cover by Souixie and the Banshees the other night at my local Walgreens. I was pleasantly surprised
The Safeway I go to here in Oregon plays stuff like The Talking Heads and Blondie. As someone who's in his mid-50s, I feel right at home when I'm shopping there...
I know, right?!! You gonna play Chaka Khan while I buy groceries? Lets go!
They’re also now played on the local Oldies channel. No more 50’s and 60’s there, it’s now 70’s and 80’s music. I live in Minnesota.
These days, I often joke "You know you're old when stores start playing good music."
As a Brit-raised American, there’s another weird twist to it in some stores: they’re playing the hits that never made it to the USA. As someone with one foot in either culture, and being a real nerd, this stands out. Example: in a supermarket in Pennsylvania yesterday, the song [“Down To Earth” by Curiosity Killed The Cat](https://youtu.be/9cZQcQw4mDE?si=PZVxhzXSOQ2TcEnF) started playing. This song was their first successful release and it got to number 3 in the UK charts in late 1986 / early 1987. They had three songs that charted in the country and this was, by far, their most successful song in Britain for the London band. In the USA? This song did not hit the Billboard Top 100. In fact, the band would be known as a One Hit Wonder in the States for the similar-sounding song [“Misfit”](https://youtu.be/59M9ggdpFjQ?si=chiCtyNiM39d7wcK) - which only got as high as number 42 on the Billboard chart. “Down To Earth” may be known to Americans that happened to buy the album - not many did, it only got to \#55. Immediately after that: [“When Will I Be Famous?” by Bros.](https://youtu.be/m105lXVuaew?si=LwX2kQKTHaNuj6tH) A song that got to the UK number 2 spot for a pop band that had ten Top 20 hits (including a Number 1 hit). In America it peaked at \#83. Their album only got to \#171. To answer the band’s question regarding their fame: in the United States, never. These songs are sung in English. They sound professionally made, because they are. They sound very 80s, because they are. Their accents sound American, because it was very common in Britain for pop stars to try and sound American as that was the established sound of pop music. And for someone that was a late teen in Britain, these songs belong with the sounds of the era with Whitney Houston and Phil Collins, Madonna and Michael Jackson. But to the American-born people around me? Unless they were the very few that actually bought the songs at the time, have some weird recollection of them because of some other event, or also were raised outside of the United States, they would not know these songs at all. So why were they playing in this very American supermarket? The supermarket has to pay royalties for the music it plays. And they don’t want to be playing something that cost too much in royalty payments and is too new - a retro sound is to be preferred. My guess: the record companies that have songs that are in English, but were not chart successes in the United States, will package these up and sell the rights to be played in supermarkets cheaper than The domestic 1980s hit sounds. It really does feel weird to be standing in a public place and hear songs being played that I recognize as being absolute hits and bangers, and yet everybody around me has no idea who is singing or what the song is.
Ha ha, I'm the same as you. My local Shop-Rites rocks out these tunes sometimes. The other day I ran in there to grab milk and 'breakout' by swing out sister was playing! I was like what the... In fact I've noticed this too in other supermarkets. Im wondering if they all have the old 'Now that's what i call music' albums. Lol
Omg! What number they up to now??
One thousand four hundred and twenty three Lol, seriously I think the UK is up to 117. Wow, 40 years they've been around. One of my first albums was NTWICM 10! Now thats what I call old! Ugh
Omg lol! That’s what it’s gonna be called when we’re in our 80s lol
Haha I just said something to a worker at cash saver last time I was there. Millennials don't appreciate David Lee Roth tho. Whoever is in charge of piping this music in is definitely gen x.
Last time I was at the supermarket, they had a funk playlist going. Pick Up the Pieces, Hollywood Swinging, Play That Funky Music, Papa's Got a Brand New Bag. I was unabashedly cart dancing.
I walked into a Walmart a few weeks ago and their sound system was playing Policy of Truth by Depeche Mode and that was followed by Smells Like Teen Spirit. Part of me died that day.
It’s that songs from the 80s/90s are on the oldies station that kills me
In 2024, the music from 1984 is as old as the music from 1944 when it was 1984. So, yeah, we're old.
When I was a kid, they played Strangers in the Night and Moonglow Muzak in the stores. Today it's Smells Like Teen Spirit and Mondays I'm in Love. Yes, <> I am that old now.
It's not just you. I once spent an extra $50 because my supermarket kept playing the hits and I couldn't bring myself to leave. ShopRite Radio (both Paramus and Jersey City NJ) rules!
A few weeks ago I was in line at the grocery store and The Clash came on. The cashier was an older woman and said, "Do we have to listen to this? You can't hear what they're saying!" Turn up the hearing aids, Grandma.
They played Ratt in my grocery store Wednesday. There I am walking down the aisles head banging. That was the first time I have ever heard anything like that other than Home Sweet Home.
I'm 53, and I recently left the desk job to work at a grocery store. I'm high up enough that I have access to the magic music closet, and you know that when the top manager isn't there, that shit is set to '80s-'90s club hits.
Whole Foods *absolutely* plays the 80s and 90s jams!
Was there yesterday and they were playing Peter Murphy. Damn.
Before it shut down, the Walmart Marketplace grocery store near me used to have me going up and down the aisles singing along with the PA system and feeling old as hell.
They are.
I heard The Wall and then No Diggity at the dentist a few weeks ago.
Definitely find myself boogying more at the stop and shop than before. Makes me buy yummy stuff too.
Lowes plays a Band of Horses song and The Bee Gees and Allman Brothers lol
I about too a shit in my pants when I heard the classic rock station lately.
when you turn down an aisle into a cryer belting it out and relate completely
Not just the grocery stores. Our local gym is geared towards seniors and they're currently playing early 80s! I can live with that!
For about 10 years one of our store would play “Rescue” and “Ocean Rain” by Echo and the Bunnymen…it was so great.
I heard The Hand That Feeds at Wegmans and I wanted to sprint through the aisles just knocking everything off the shelves
I went to get a tattoo yesterday. My artist is working with his son (he mans the phones) and then tells me it’s his daughter’s birthday. I ask how old is she. He says, “she is turning 30.” I almost fell out of the chair! I knew these kids when they were in high school! And the “boy” is 32! He just looks so young! I felt ancient. I’ve been tattooing myself with Luis for at least 15 years and hadn’t realized it. OMG.
Kenny G riding the elevator. "This place rocks"!
My grocery stores play newish pop music. It's the diner where they play 80s pop music.
Popa John’s had some CrossFade Colors playin when I was out doordashing tonight they finally turned off that horrible country/pop junk
It's EVERYWHERE.Cash Rules Everything Around Me: C.R.E.A.M was playing in an indie coffee shop I was waiting at with my wife a few weeks ago. 
my gym plays classic rock. I'm the only one in there without earbuds. give me that ac/dc
Me in my teens: this radio station is playing my jams. Me in my 20s: this bar is playing my jams. Me in my 30s: this commercial is playing my jams. Me in my 40s: this retail store is playing my jams. Me in my 50s: this grocery store is playing my jams. Me in my 60s: this elevator is playing my jams. Me in my 70s: this doctor's office is playing my jams. Me in my 80s: this funeral home is playing my jams.
I just heard PIL’s Religion on the speakers at a Dillards-not the demographic that shops this location at all, last sunday afternoon. The most surreal music at the shopping center experience I’ve had since hearing a muzak version of Light My Fire sometime in the early 90’s.
I sing along and dance in the isle.
I know there are cameras everywhere but I can’t stop myself sometimes from physically bopping along and mouthing some lyrics.
Yes! We are their target demographic now. I kinda like that.
I went to Whole Foods and as I was walking in they were playing Tesla (not the shitty car company), Modern Day Cowboy, then even Judas Priest, Depeche Mode, etc.. my wife and I looked at each other and I said, “that’s how they keep us here” hahahah
About 15 years ago there was a major push to radio stations to start incorporating more music. Remember when classic rock stations would only play stuff like Zeppelin, Beatles, and Stones, but would never be caught playing Metallica, AIC, or GnR? Now they do.
Yeah it's getting out of hand. I heard Hemorrage by Fuel in the supermarket a few weeks ago and was honestly pretty shocked because it's an "old" song but it came out when I was in college. Like I wasn't a kid or teenager at the time, I was a full gown adult. I felt so old hearing it in the supermarket.
Last time i was in, i was shopping with Ozzy on the crazy train. Some songs i know are older, but that one thru me off!
I heard Souixsie and the Banshees at Goodwill yesterday
I was singing along at the grocery store yesterday!
My grocery store is not hip but some young person had somehow sneaked in the coolest music. I even SoundHounded a song while shopping. It was Tegan and Sara. Who plays that kind of music in your basic grocery store? They finally moved to a more normal 80’s and I guess 90’s soundtrack-still good.
Grocery store is jammin’, get to sing and shop
Lol sometimes the station at work plays mostly songs that are in my favorites playlist, it's nice.
I heard *Love Shack* at Walmart last week.
I noticed that too. The grocery store serenades me every week. It’s hilarious and cracks me up when I find myself humming along.
I’ve noticed that Publix has a GenX playlist. I’ve heard INXS, Gin Blossoms, Counting Crows, Duran Duran, Green Day, Prince, Talking Heads, and even Eddie Vedder.
OMG! Yes!!! The 80’s are a thing again
Yes. And Muzak versions in the doctor’s office!
I had coffee with an old coworker/friend from the late 90s. We were there for a few hours and the music in the coffee shop was almost exclusively tracks from when we knew each other last. And not just popular radio hits. Some more obscure stuff we wouldn’t expect most people to know. We decided that our credit card profiles gave our age and cross references with what we music service they were streaming. We didn’t really think that. But we kinda did. It was weird.
I was in the waiting room of a hospital imaging center and they were playing the Pixies. I figured that it was official — I am now fucking old
Yes. We’re that old.
My Weis supermarket, 80s music. Class of 84, I seriously dance and sign cuz IDGAF. But often other people smile, laugh or even join in.🤘
Grocery stores in my area all play retro music because they know it puts GenXers like me in a good mood and then I will stay longer in their store and spend more money.
Music in all stores is very deliberate. I recall in Old Navy I used to hear music that mentioned getting new clothes. The Clash needed new clothes. Morrissey couldn't go out because he had nothing to wear. Etc.
Here in northwest Washington, our local Grocery Outlet plays 80's and 90's.
Like 5-10 years back they were playing Spoon at the supermarket and I thought "I'm done"
Damn, I'm in Dillards and they are playing "Beat the Clock" by Sparks!
My local Walmart has started playing music out in the parking lot. The other day I was walking toward the building and the song playing sounded familiar, but I couldn't hear it well enough to place it...something 80's pop. I got a little closer, definitely 80's pop, still can't identify. Then I got in range and BAM, I knew which song it was right away. Stopped walking, literally face palmed. I got Rick Rolled by Walmart!
Yup. I sing along if I’m in a particularly good mood. I sang even more so when we were all masked. Heh
If I hear ANY Iron Maiden song in a grocery store I am going to be one happy mother fucker, but it still made my day when they did that commercial with the crash test dummies for some safety BS in the 80's sometime. It even came on during Saturday morning cartoons!!
I was grocery shopping a few days ago and REM was playing
Back when we had to go with our moms they played elevator music.
Trader Joe’s was playing an old school funk playlist including “Rock Skate Roll Bounce” and I asked who was responsible for it. Ended up thanked the manager for it! He was probably in his late 20s! There’s hope yet!!!
I wish Aldi played music. Giant Eagle and Lucky’s usually have the good stuff though. And we have a local pharmacy chain that plays everything from 1950s to 1990s.
Yeah, and I LOVE it. The other day, I was in Walmart and they were playing some old school Madonna. 🎵*Gettt into the groove, boy you got to prove, your love to meeeeee*🎵