The hottest songs on Spotify are increasingly coming from decades gone by, as listeners of all ages turn to older music in what streaming analysts describe as a growing wave of nostalgia.
According to new data from music analytics firm Luminate and Spotify, 2026 is shaping up to be the most nostalgia-driven year in the platform’s history. Songs released 10 years ago or more now account for roughly one-third of all Spotify streams, while nearly one in six streams goes to music that is at least 20 years old.
The trend was highlighted in May when Michael Jackson’s 1983 hit “Billie Jean” climbed to the top of Spotify’s global chart following the release of the biographical film “Michael.” Other older songs, including Justin Bieber’s 2012 hit “Beauty and a Beat” and tracks from the late 2010s, have also enjoyed renewed popularity.
Industry analysts say streaming services have transformed the way listeners discover music. Unlike the radio era, when audiences were largely limited to current releases and whatever albums were available in stores, streaming platforms place decades of music history alongside today’s newest songs.
The shift is particularly noticeable among younger listeners. Luminate reported that the percentage of Americans ages 13 to 24 who primarily listen to music from the 2020s has fallen from 55 percent in 2021 to 44 percent in 2025. During the same period, the share of young listeners who prefer music from the 1990s or earlier increased from 18 percent to 25 percent.
Social media has helped fuel the resurgence. Viral videos on platforms such as TikTok have revived interest in older songs, sending tracks from artists including Fleetwood Mac, Connie Francis and others back into playlists and charts. Movies, television shows and books have also introduced classic songs to new audiences.
The popularity of older music is now clearly visible on Spotify’s charts. In 2019 and 2020, more than 90 percent of songs appearing in Spotify’s Global Top 50 had been released within the previous two years. During the first four months of 2026, that figure dropped to less than 69 percent. On one day in May, seven of the platform’s top 10 songs were more than two years old.
Classic rock has been among the biggest beneficiaries of the trend. Songs such as Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” The Police’s “Every Breath You Take,” Radiohead’s “Creep,” Goo Goo Dolls’ “Iris,” Coldplay’s “Yellow,” and The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” continue to attract millions of streams years after their original release.
The renewed interest in older music does not mean listeners have abandoned new artists. Nearly half of all on-demand music streams in 2025 still went to songs released during the 2020s. However, industry observers say listeners are increasingly blending new releases with familiar favorites, creating playlists that span generations.
Source: Spotify, WSJ