Thrift Store Public Address, Music, and Ambience

[Big Daddy Audio]

Yesterday, while in the Goodwill at 7th Street and Union Hills in Phoenix, my wife noted that they always play great music at this thrift store.  At the time, B-52's Channel Z was playing.  When she mentioned it, I did notice - I've actually hear an obscure Elvis Costello cut in here, as well, at one time.  I also noticed that some stores tend to play oldies (50's and early 60's).  A study was done a few years ago that indicated that Mozart and other classical music seemed to "help" people buy more, and it's what I play at our garage sales (with mixed results, but I digress).  I've never encountered a thrift store playing Mozart (or any classical for that matter).

What do you guys tend to notice about the music they play at your thrift stores?

That is all.

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Oh, gosh-- I noticed just yesterday as I was in the Goodwill. They were playing "Goodwill Radio" which is a mix station they do. And I actually caught myself singing along with "8675309 Jenny" (this being a song my fellow high school classmates were at the time quite fond of singing at me.)

But yup, there's often some good music in there.

[ChrisMiss]

Some of the thrifts I've been to play the radio so you might hear some music, news, commercials, etc. while shopping there.  Other thrifts that are of a religious nature sometimes may play Christian music. 

I will have to start paying attention to what's being played to see if it's a radio or Muzak and what their selections are.  I have noticed that it's usually NOT country music though, mostly oldies.   

[Jay2TheRescue]

Oh, gosh-- I noticed just yesterday as I was in the Goodwill. They were playing "Goodwill Radio" which is a mix station they do. And I actually caught myself singing along with "8675309 Jenny" (this being a song my fellow high school classmates were at the time quite fond of singing at me.)

But yup, there's often some good music in there.

The Goodwill by my house must have a CD on repeat.  If they have anything on its always the same jazz song, kinda Muzac sounding.  It must be an extended cut too because sometimes I've been the store for 30 minutes or longer and I've never heard the beginning or the end of the song.

-Jay

[Zed Simon]

Some of the thrifts I've been to play the radio so you might hear some music, news, commercials, etc. while shopping there.  Other thrifts that are of a religious nature sometimes may play Christian music.   

My thrifts always have the radio going. And they all have the same station on - some adult-contemporary thing. In PA, one chain has religious videos going in each of their stores on monitors hanging from the ceiling.

[Good Buddy]

Old County Music, not new..
I love when they play oldies in thrifts, but when they play current contemporary Country, it grates on me so much, I have to leave.
I can't stand "New" Hip Hop either. 

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

You got me thinking, the Good Samaritain thrift near me always has fairly subtle Christian music playing in the background. It's not what I myself listen to, but actually works well with the atmosphere of the place-- which is a little more formal and set up more like a regular shop, glassware in their china cabinets, etc. Last time I was there they had on some sort of folky Celtic Christian band on-- fairly well done, really, lots of energy and fiddles.

It's funny how music of any sort in a store can leave an impression, for good or bad.

[Zed Simon]

current contemporary Country

Does that even legally qualify as "country?"

[Jay2TheRescue]

current contemporary Country

Does that even legally qualify as "country?"

I agree.  I believe there has been almost no good country since 1989.

-Jay

[Troy McClure]

Funny, I never noticed any music when I am thrifting, I am sure there is some playing  but it is probably so lame I block it out. 

[Big Daddy Audio]

current contemporary Country

Does that even legally qualify as "country?"

I agree.  I believe there has been almost no good country since 1989.

-Jay

What happened in 1989?  Why has there been no good country since then?  I don't listen to a lot of country, but there have been some good songs (I s'pose) since 1989.

That is all.

[Jay2TheRescue]

current contemporary Country

Does that even legally qualify as "country?"

I agree.  I believe there has been almost no good country since 1989.

-Jay

What happened in 1989?  Why has there been no good country since then?  I don't listen to a lot of country, but there have been some good songs (I s'pose) since 1989.

That is all.

I just think the new artists that came up in the 90's ruined it.  People like Alan Jackson and Sheniah Twain (sp?).  I grew up in the 70's and 80's listening to Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Chrystal Gayle, Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys, Statler Brothers, and such.  I just don't like the newer stuff (With the exception of Garth Brooks).

-Jay

[ChrisMiss]

I think most of the "older" country music isn't played in stores because it seems to be mostly sad songs.  Songs about losing your girlfriend or dog or even losing both to your best friend, then you have to cry in your beer, etc.  Country music nowadays tries to have enough country to quality as country but have some appeal to crossover into the pop area.  They gotta' sell those records and CDs.

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

I have a story for you guys related to this!

So at the Goodwill at lunch, I'm in one of the houseware aisles and a middle-aged businessman type is in the aisle with me. I don't pay too much attention to him, because, well, I'm thrifting.

But I hear him say, "I can't STAND this woman! I swear, if I ever saw her across the street, I think I would go over and strangle her."

I was CONCERNED for a moment. Was he talking to himself and meaning ME? But no, I look up and he's speaking TO me, looking at me with a very sincere expression. And there is no woman around. Anywhere. I smile nervously.

He continues, "The woman just can't sing!"

And I realize that it's Goodwill Radio. And the singer is Jewel. And admittedly it is Jewel's very most annoying song (in my opinion)... "Save Your Soul" I think it's called, where she just goes ON and ON.

He informs me that he shouldn't let her get to him like that, but that he hears her all the time. He muttered something specific about "Goodwill Radio." And of course, I'm sort of chuckling because it IS funny, and he IS right, and I was so relieved he wasn't mentally unbalanced like I'd thought he was...

And of course now the song, which I had been blocking out, is stuck in MY head.

Good music = happy thrifting. Bad music = thrifting with inner rage. :-)

[Jay2TheRescue]

I have a story for you guys related to this!

So at the Goodwill at lunch, I'm in one of the houseware aisles and a middle-aged businessman type is in the aisle with me. I don't pay too much attention to him, because, well, I'm thrifting.

But I hear him say, "I can't STAND this woman! I swear, if I ever saw her across the street, I think I would go over and strangle her."

I was CONCERNED for a moment. Was he talking to himself and meaning ME? But no, I look up and he's speaking TO me, looking at me with a very sincere expression. And there is no woman around. Anywhere. I smile nervously.

He continues, "The woman just can't sing!"

And I realize that it's Goodwill Radio. And the singer is Jewel. And admittedly it is Jewel's very most annoying song (in my opinion)... "Save Your Soul" I think it's called, where she just goes ON and ON.

He informs me that he shouldn't let her get to him like that, but that he hears her all the time. He muttered something specific about "Goodwill Radio." And of course, I'm sort of chuckling because it IS funny, and he IS right, and I was so relieved he wasn't mentally unbalanced like I'd thought he was...

And of course now the song, which I had been blocking out, is stuck in MY head.

Good music = happy thrifting. Bad music = thrifting with inner rage. :-)

My inner thrifting rage is normally triggered by misbehaving childern or people trying to see how loud the stereos get.  I can pretty much tune out the music unless its really loud.

-Jay