Nowadays, it seems like almost every song is a callback to another era. Whether it’s pop singers with a ’60s aesthetic or rock bands that heavily lean on ’80s synths, it’s hard to pin down exactly what modern music sounds like. It all seems to be a rehash of the past. That’s not to say that there aren’t some truly stellar songs being released these days, but it’s a trend no one can ignore—and it has been going on for longer than you might think.
While other generations of artists haven’t leaned on nostalgia quite as hard as the current crop has, many artists have borrowed retro sounds over the years. Find three songs that you might have thought were older than they are, thanks to their referential production, below
“Valerie” (Mark Ronson feat. Amy Winehouse)
The first song on our list of songs that seem older than they are is Amy Winehouse‘s calling card, “Valerie.” Like the rest of Winehouse’s music, this hit has a distinct ’60s appeal. Those in a younger generation might be forgiven for thinking that Winehouse is from an earlier era of music, rather than the late ’00s legend she was.
“Valerie,” with its soulful guitar and retro sensibilities, is indicative of everything great about Winehouse—old-fashioned sound with modern appeal.
“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” (Queen)
Queen’s Freddie Mercury was a fan of Elvis Presley. He paid homage to his musical hero with “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” This song is markedly simple compared to some of Mercury’s famously outlandish songs. It has a melodic appeal that was commonplace in the ’50s.
“Crazy Little Thing Called Love” stands out in Queen’s catalog for its straightforward pastiche. Mercury wore his inspirations on his sleeve, capturing a moment in time–albeit a couple of decades too late.
“Harvest Moon” (Neil Young)
Neil Young‘s “Harvest Moon” feels right in line with his ’70s material. Because of this, it may come as a surprise to fans who haven’t closely followed Young’s career that this song was released in the ’90s.
“Harvest Moon” screams ’70s soft rock. It’s a wonder it became as popular as it was in an era of music with nearly opposite intentions. In the ’90s, it was hard to find a song as jovial as this that wasn’t a glittering pop track. Young managed to capitalize on some nostalgia for this hit.
(Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
