What Music Are Your Grandkids Listening To?

May 4, 2024 by editor

By Janet Esposito

Have you ever wondered why your go-to music is the music of your youth? Every generation feels nostalgic about the music that defines them and often struggle to appreciate the music of today. According to some specialists, the music we listen to during the most intense years of our brain development (between 12-22 years old) sticks with us for life. Our brains associate the popular songs from our years in high school with the memories of the powerful hormones coursing through our teenage bodies. But music provides a great opportunity to bridge the generational gap between you and your grandkids. Music can be a personal representation of our identity and we strengthen our relationship bonds simply by sharing our favorite songs.

Step 1: Ask them to share what they’re listening to. It’s important that you give their musical interests a chance and keep an open mind. Even if you can’t understand the appeal at first, ask your grandkids why the song speaks to them. Is it the pointed lyrics that speak to the complexity of their reality? Is it the skillful playing of specific instruments? Or maybe it’s just “got a great beat and you can dance to it.” The music itself is less important than the interest you take in your grandkids’ lives and perspectives. Music only serves as a vehicle to spark a deeper discussion that allows you to connect with them as they develop their own identity.

Step 2: Do some research. Billboard (Magazine) still compiles monthly and yearly lists of the top performing songs and artists. (https://www.billboard.com/charts) You can find free samples, videos, and songs for any of the top played songs out today. Simply search for the song and/or artist and start investigating the results. And there are also lists for the top-performing music videos. These should also be easily found on a variety of sites online. However, these lists may not capture the most current trends for all kids. The democratization of media creation has allowed for many obscure, niche artists to emerge and be supported by a relatively small, but extremely dedicated group of fans. This democratization is most often seen in the form of YouTube stars. Check out the “Discover New Music” section on YouTube to see some up-and-comers in a diverse range of musical genres. But identifying the current individuals and music groups that are your grandkids favorites may be more difficult than finding an online list.

Step 3: Join the social media revolution. You know that saying, “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em”? Beyond Facebook, many grandparents today turn up their noses at social media, but this is the way our grandkids communicate. If we want to foster that connection with them and maintain a strong bond, we must learn to use these tools for our own purposes. (Visit www.grandparentuniversity.com for guidance and education on all tech tools). First, ask your grandkids to share any channel subscriptions they have on YouTube. If you’re unfamiliar, these channels act much like traditional television, but you can subscribe to them individually, instead of having all the channels available at once. Also, join whatever social media-sharing apps your grandkids use (most likely Twitter and Instagram). Once you are connected, you can look through who they “follow” and track those music artists in real time along with your grandkids. You’ll receive updates on plans, concert dates, and new releases – providing you another way to connect to the music your grandkids love.

Step 4: Take them to see live music. It may seem obvious that taking them to see their favorite music in concert is a step that you should take. It’s true that such an outing would be a great way to support their interests and share in their experience, but the prices of live music today can be way outside the reach of most budgets. Instead of the giant blockbuster stadium concerts, you can also look for smaller, independent music gatherings. Although you’re unlikely to find your grandkids’ favorite artists in these venues, they are still a great opportunity for you to create a common interest in music with them. Try finding ways to incorporate both of your interests, or to experience something entirely new together. For example, check out your local university for a schedule of performances. Some institutions have begun incorporating fun-themed performances that include music from popular film, translations of popular music into symphonic scores, and even covering music from video games. Or find the nearest “Concert in the Park” in your community. These are usually free and feature local talent, often including young musicians covering classics and sometimes showcasing their original work.

Step 5: Make a playlist together. One of the most rewarding aspects of the Internet is being able to create something with another person in two different places at the same time. Use this to your advantage as your grandkids’ lives become increasingly filled with independent activities. There are many websites and phone apps that provide a platform for users to pick individual songs in order to create a playlist of their own making. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, some features, such as sharing, may only be allowed in the subscription-based version of the software. Work with your grandkids to find the solution that best fits your circumstances. Then assign a theme to a playlist, such as “Dancing Music” or “Walking the Dog Music” and start adding songs together. The playlist you create together can grow and change over time, or you can keep them as a record of the development of your grandkids’ musical interests over time. However you choose to do it, a joint playlist is a great way to share a common interest, reinforces the connection in your relationship, and demonstrates that you value their opinion and are genuinely interested in their perspective. J.E.