Lindsay Eldon eagerly awaited her Spotify Wrapped, the annual end-of-year review of each listener’s most-played tracks on the music streaming service. As a self-proclaimed “music aficionado,” she was excited to share her carefully curated music taste with others as the year came to a close.
“My hubby and I are huge music enthusiasts, and we always look forward to exchanging our lists,” explained the Colorado native. But an unexpected twist was in store for Eldon. Spotify’s playful message revealed that her music genre preferences had shifted for the year. “This year you ventured into the genre-verse,” it proclaimed before unveiling her top listens.
“Encanto was my album of the year and every one of my top five songs,” she said. “‘We Don’t Talk About Bruno’ was my most-played song.” Eldon’s staple favorite bands, Ween and My Morning Jacket, were edged out of the top spots by her 16-month-old daughter, Willow, who became the family’s resident DJ.
“My daughter used to despise car rides. I’d play the Encanto playlist and she’d instantly stop crying. This went on for about four months, so a lot of Encanto was on repeat,” Eldon revealed. The Disney movie’s songs became the soundtrack that kept her family sane during car rides. “I don’t mind, though. I am forever thankful to Encanto for many peaceful drives,” Eldon admitted, “And truthfully, it was fun to sing along to.”
Eldon’s experience reflects a growing trend among millennial parents whose year-in-review music results are now heavily influenced by their young children’s preferences. This shift has altered the way music round-ups define our identities and preferences.
According to Fortune, the top five most-streamed artists in the U.S. for 2023 were Taylor Swift, Drake, Morgan Wallen, The Weeknd, and Bad Bunny. However, many parents found that their top artists and songs now featured children’s performers or even movie soundtrack themes.
For Ohio father of two, David Reckler, his top 10 song list consisted mostly of Little Baby Bum tracks. “Grizzly Bear was the 10th,” he humorously added.
Michigan mother of two, Colleen Long, was surprised to discover that her top genres included “Spooky Nostalgia Zen” and “Old Hollywood Flapper Appreciation,” reflecting her children’s influence on her music choices. Other parents like Heather Chestnutt and Katie Thomas found that their child’s love for specific songs or artists significantly impacted their own listening habits, leading to surprising tracks appearing on their top lists.
The year-in-review lists serve as reminders of the passage of time and changing life stages. As our children grow, their impact on our music preferences becomes apparent. While the wrap-ups may not always reflect our personal music tastes, they serve as poignant markers of the moments we share with our children. They capture a time that will soon become a cherished memory, reminding us of the fleeting nature of childhood. Someday, parents might regain full control of their music choices, but for now, they can find solace in the words of the song that placed Detroit mother Mary Lancina in the top 1% of Idina Menzel listeners: “Let It Go.”
This article was originally published on Dec. 9, 2022 and has been updated.
