Pop music is haunted by our anxieties about the future

The ghostly presence of the past in pop music

In the realm of pop music, the past is increasingly becoming a dominant force. Pop culture’s fascination with its own history, as observed by scholar Simon Reynolds, poses a threat to the future of music. According to Reynolds, the greatest danger to the future of pop music culture is its own past. This obsession with nostalgia stunts originality and creativity, leaving us with a spectral present that’s haunted by the ghosts of pop music’s past.

The Beatles’ ghostly collaboration

This phenomenon is exemplified by the release of the Beatles’ new song, “Now and Then,” in November 2023. This song features a lead vocal track by the late John Lennon, salvaged from a demo recording made in the late 1970s, just before his murder in 1980. The song also includes archival guitar tracks from the late George Harrison. The two surviving Beatles, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, contributed new bass, drum, vocal, and guitar parts, while producer Giles Martin provided a string arrangement and background vocals lifted from other iconic Beatles songs.

The song’s production utilized artificial intelligence to isolate and reanimate Lennon’s voice, allowing McCartney and Starr to perform alongside their long-deceased bandmate. This technological sophistication raises questions about the role of nostalgia in pop music and its impact on creativity and originality.

Hauntology and the music of the past

Hauntology, a theoretical concept originating from French philosopher Jacques Derrida, examines the relationship between memory, nostalgia, and the nature of being. According to hauntology, the present is never simply “present,” and the remnants of our cultural past always linger or return. This concept can be applied to musicology, as critiqued by Mark Fisher.

The Beatles’ “Now and Then” embodies the principles of hauntology, as it resurrects the past to create a new song. This raises the question: Is a ghost from the past or of the present? As hauntology would insist, a ghost is paradoxically both at the same time.

The cultural doom loop

Some critics, like Josiah Gogarty, argue that songs like “Now and Then” represent a cultural doom loop, where our obsession with nostalgia prevents us from moving forward. Gogarty likens the song to a séance, calling forth the warbling and jangling of the dead. This sentiment is echoed by Reynolds, who fears that our reliance on nostalgia will lead to a cancelled future.

The problem of nostalgia

The issue with songs like “Now and Then” is that they are imbued with nostalgia, which threatens the future and limits the possibility of new ideas emerging. Fisher feared that this nostalgia would give rise to a cancelled future, where we are stuck in an endless loop of reboots and rehashes.

The need for originality

As the music industry continues to evolve, it’s essential to strike a balance between honoring the past and embracing the future. Songs like “Now and Then” are a reminder that nostalgia can be both a blessing and a curse. While they can evoke powerful emotions and create new connections with the past, they can also stifle creativity and originality.

Conclusion

Pop music is haunted by our anxieties about the future, and songs like “Now and Then” represent a symptom of this affliction. As we move forward in this spectral present, it’s crucial that we find a way to balance our appreciation for the past with our desire for innovation and creativity. Only then can we break free from the cultural doom loop and create a brighter, more original future for music.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is hauntology?

A: Hauntology is a theoretical concept that examines the relationship between memory, nostalgia, and the nature of being.

Q: What is the significance of the Beatles’ “Now and Then”?

A: The song represents a cultural phenomenon, where the past is resurrected to create a new song. This blurs the lines between past and present, leaving us with a haunted, ghostly thing.

Q: Is nostalgia a problem in pop music?

A: Yes, an over-reliance on nostalgia can stifle creativity and originality, leading to a cancelled future.

Q: How can we find a balance between honoring the past and embracing the future?

A: By recognizing the importance of originality and creativity, and by finding new ways to innovate and push the boundaries of music.