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AARPLynne
Conversationalist ⭐⭐⭐
Jun 25, 2019 4:37 PM UTC

What Songs Could Go on a Cross-Generational Playlist?

Today’s high schoolers and their grownup counterparts reminisce with lyrics and try to sing favorite songs. What music do teens and parents have in common? Lady Gaga? Boyz II Men? “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”?

 

What songs could go on a cross-generational playlist?

    50 replies

    SummerOnTheWay1
    Jan 22, 2026 9:21 PM UTC

    .

    👣 Remember to take 1 step at a time!!!
    WebWiseWoman
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    Jan 22, 2026 10:00 PM UTC

    Recognizing the original post is 5.5 yrs old, going to go ahead and add...

     

    Think anything Green Day (founded in 1987), our 60s heroes Janis, Jimi and Jim, of course Grateful Dead, and truth tellers, Dylan, Ozzy, Elton...

     

    Then Imagine Dragons came along and we found life ever after (imo)...

     

    Now we need the truth tellers again, please...

    Done with this "new" and "improved"... kinda like dotard improved America...
    Contributor ⭐⭐
    Jan 11, 2026 7:32 PM UTC

     I think any song that parents played and danced with their children in the living room or sang in the car would work. For us, it was the Beatles, Led Zeppelin, CSN&Y, and The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast. 

    Contributor ⭐
    Jan 7, 2026 1:54 PM UTC

    New York, New York by Frank Sinatra

    somewhere over the rainbow

    MaVolta
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    Mar 12, 2022 4:56 PM UTC

    Let It Be - The Beatles

     

    This song charted for the second time in 2021 coming in at #5    on the Billboard 200. It was #1 in 1970. The Beatles had over 1 Million in record sales in 2020 making them #1 that year. They were #2 in vinyl sales for 2021. Queen is another band whose album sales also reach the top 5 in recent years. Good music will always be timeless.

     

    “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” - Jimi Hendrix
    SummerOnTheWay1
    Jan 17, 2026 8:09 PM UTC

    .


    👣 Remember to take 1 step at a time!!!
    WebWiseWoman
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    Jan 22, 2026 10:07 PM UTC

    What a shame...

    Done with this "new" and "improved"... kinda like dotard improved America...
    EricC28201
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    Mar 12, 2022 12:05 PM UTC

    Folks who are Speed Metal enthusiasts might be surprised to find out that Uriah Heap's Look At Yourself was released in 1971.

     

    On the whole, though, music is timeless so most songs have at least a chance of being cross-generational.

    Community Champion ⭐
    Nov 4, 2019 10:43 PM UTC

    I would have to say that any songs from The Eagles and of course Bob Seger!!

    cm9889168
    Community Champion ⭐
    Dec 27, 2019 8:48 AM UTC

    "American Pie"  by Don McLean

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5ecvBaqHBk

    Contributor ⭐
    Oct 23, 2019 11:18 PM UTC
    You've Got A Friend by James Taylor
    cm9889168
    Community Champion ⭐
    Nov 4, 2019 9:37 AM UTC
    Contributor ⭐
    Jul 31, 2019 3:02 AM UTC

    Yesterday

    Lean On Me

    White Christmas 

     

    Contributor ⭐
    Jul 30, 2019 3:38 PM UTC

    This song is not an oldie but I feel should be on the list, Cold Little Heart by Michael Kiwanuka (theme song for Big Little Lies).

    MaVolta
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    Jul 30, 2019 4:19 PM UTC

    @s474823g wrote:

    This song is not an oldie but I feel should be on the list, Cold Little Heart by Michael Kiwanuka (theme song for Big Little Lies).


    That's a good choice! I looked it up on YT and the video has over 62 million views!! 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOubjLM9Cbc

    “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” - Jimi Hendrix
    MaVolta
    Community Champion ⭐⭐⭐
    Jul 30, 2019 4:34 PM UTC

    I don't listen to a lot of "newer" music, but there are some songs from the 2000's that I've enjoyed listening to -

     

    Craving 

    Hold Back the River

    and others by James Bay

     

    Rumour Has It

    Set Fire to the Rain

    Rolling in the Deep

    and others by Adele

     

    Wake Me Up - Aloe Blacc & Avicci

     

    Viva La Vida - Coldplay

     

    Million Reasons - Lady Gaga

     

    “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” - Jimi Hendrix
    Contributor ⭐
    Jul 30, 2019 1:40 PM UTC

    When I'm 64

    New York, New York

    Stand By Me