Free Materials For ESL Teachers and Learners

English Newsroom

Learn English through news articles - complete lesson plans, including articles, listening, classroom activities, quiz questions and more!

People Prefer Older Songs Over New Music

Older music is overshadowing new releases on streaming platforms.
Try this article at a different level?

Many people are starting to listen to older songs more than new ones. Even though there are thousands of new songs released every day, older songs are more popular. Songs like Zara Larsson's "Lush Life" are being played frequently again. This shows that people often enjoy music from past times because it feels familiar.

Because so many people like older songs, a lot of music over five years old is becoming popular again. This trend makes it hard for new artists to make it to the music charts. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music report that most popular streams are of a few top songs. It means a small number of artists are ruling the music world, making it tough for new music to get noticed.

Some music experts believe that technology affects how we choose our music. It might make us less likely to try out new songs. As a result, many people keep listening to the same familiar tunes. This makes it a challenge for new artists to become famous, as their songs might not reach many listeners.

Original news source: Music streaming: Why we're listening to so many old songs – BBC News (BBC)

🎧 Listen:

📖 Vocabulary:

1. released
2. comeback
3. trend
4. platforms
5. experts
6. explore
7. notice
8. familiar
9. frequently
10. challenging
11. dominate
12. stream

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

1. Name a few of your favorite songs and why you like them.
2. Discuss with a partner the last new song you listened to.
3. What do you think makes a song popular?
4. How do you discover new music?
5. Why do you think people enjoy listening to older songs?

🤔 Comprehension Questions:

1. What is happening with the popularity of older songs?

2. Which song by Zara Larsson is mentioned in the article?

3. What is challenging for new artists?

4. How do Spotify and Apple Music contribute to the music trend?

5. What impact does technology have on our music selection?

6. Why are older songs becoming popular again?

7. Who might dominate the music scene according to the article?

🎧✍️ Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Many people are starting to listen to older songs more than new . Even though there are thousands of new songs released every day, older songs are more popular. Songs Zara Larsson's "Lush Life" are being played frequently again. This that people often enjoy music from past times because it feels . Because so many people like older songs, a lot of music over five old is becoming popular again. This makes it hard for new artists to make it to the music charts. Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music report that most popular streams are of a few top songs. It means a small of are ruling the music , making it tough for new music to get noticed. Some music experts believe that technology affects how we choose our music. It might make us likely to try out new songs. As a result, many people listening to the same familiar tunes. This it a challenge for new artists to become famous, as their songs might not reach many listeners.

💬 Discussion Questions:

1. Do you prefer new songs or old songs? Why?
2. How do you feel when you hear a song from your childhood?
3. What type of music do you listen to most often?
4. Do you think technology changes how we find new music?
5. How important is music in your daily life?
6. Do you think older songs sound different from new ones?
7. Would you like to try making your own music?
8. How do you think social media affects music trends?
9. What role do music platforms like Spotify play in your music choices?
10. Do you have a favorite musician or band? Who is it?
11. How do you share music with friends or family?
12. What makes a song timeless in your opinion?

Individual Activities

📖💭 Vocabulary Meanings:

Click a dot next to a word, then click the dot next to its meaning to draw a line connecting them.

Words

1. released
2. comeback
3. trend
4. platforms
5. experts
6. explore
7. notice
8. familiar
9. frequently
10. challenging
11. dominate
12. stream

Meanings

(A) play music or video over the internet
(B) well-known or recognized
(C) return to popularity
(D) people who know a lot about a subject
(E) made available for sale
(F) pay attention to
(G) difficult or demanding
(H) often or regularly
(I) travel through or investigate
(J) a general direction or pattern
(K) types of technology services
(L) have control over

🔡 Multiple Choice Questions:

1. Why are older songs becoming popular again?
(a) People like songs that remind them of the past.
(b) New songs are bad.
(c) Only old songs are available.
(d) New technology stops new songs.
2. What is difficult for new artists?
(a) Making it to the music charts.
(b) Writing songs.
(c) Practicing music.
(d) Finding instruments.
3. Which songs dominate music platforms?
(a) All old songs.
(b) Only new songs.
(c) Classical music.
(d) A small group of top songs.
4. What might technology do to our music choices?
(a) Make old songs disappear.
(b) Make us explore less new music.
(c) Help new artists.
(d) Allow everyone to be famous.
5. What do platforms like Spotify and Apple Music show?
(a) Only old music is available.
(b) They play only new music.
(c) Most streams are of a few top songs.
(d) They don't track popular music.
6. Why do people enjoy older music?
(a) It's too loud.
(b) It's always free.
(c) It feels familiar and comforting.
(d) It plays faster.
7. What do music experts believe?
(a) Old songs are bad.
(b) New artists don't work hard.
(c) Only old instruments sound great.
(d) Technology affects our music choices.
8. What challenge do new songs face?
(a) Being too easy to write.
(b) Getting noticed by listeners.
(c) Playing on an old radio.
(d) Being too short.

🕵️ True or False Questions:

1. Technology might make us less likely to explore new music.
2. Older music is becoming unpopular again even though many new songs are released.
3. Platforms like Spotify report most popular streams are from top songs.
4. More people are listening to older songs than new ones.
5. A large number of artists dominate the music world.
6. Songs like "Lush Life" by Zara Larsson are making a comeback.
7. New artists find it easy to enter the music charts.
8. Many people dislike music from past times because it feels unfamiliar.

Writing Questions:

1. Write about your favorite song and why you love it.
2. Describe how music makes you feel.
3. Explain how you discover new songs or artists.
4. Write a story about a day without music.
5. Discuss the role of music in your family or culture.

How about these other Level 2 articles?

Online
Class
Writing
Coach

Feedback