Have you ever seen a cafe without music flowing through it?
At least I haven’t. Whether I’m ordering a drink, sitting on a stool waiting for my coffee, or settling into a comfy chair, there’s always music in the air. But ever since cafes partnered with streaming services for those ‘Perfect Cafe Playlist’ vibes,
‘Oh, this track!’
moments have almost vanished. Even when I pay close attention to the songs playing, familiar tunes rarely come up. I thought I was a music aficionado, but this hit my pride hard. Could it be that the songs played in cafes are strategically crafted in some secret music factory?
‘Alright, Michael. Let’s get started. We need tracks that can play for about an hour without repeats.’
‘But aren’t there people who sit for more than an hour, maybe with a laptop in front of them?’
‘Most of them wear headphones and listen to their own tunes.’
‘What about the moms waiting for their kids from school? They seem to wait for about 2-3 hours…’
‘They’re usually chatting away, barely noticing the music. Look, I know you’re curious since it’s your first day, but we’ve been doing this forever. Just stick to the plan! It’s already 1 AM! Listen closely. The tracks should be mellow. Anything that makes someone stop and say, ‘Wow, this is great!’ is out. Remember, if it hits the Billboard, your salary gets cut. But don’t make it too bad either. We don’t want people saying, ‘This music sucks, I’m never coming back.’
‘Isn’t something good okay?’
‘We’ve had complaints that when people come with their partners, they’re more into the music than each other. Also, keep it simple with the instruments. Folk or country styles work well. Don’t highlight the vocals with high notes. We’re tired of people asking, ‘Who’s the singer?’ And no drums, people hate the noise. We don’t need highs and lows, or catchy hooks. It should be as flat as a table. If they don’t even realize when the song changes, you’ll get a bonus. Now, let’s get going.’
Surely it can’t be like that. Back in the day, cafe owners would set up good speakers and play their own curated playlists, hoping for some feedback from customers. I remember rushing to the counter when I heard a good song, asking, ‘Who is this artist?’
I first heard John Mayer’s ‘Back to You’ (a track from ‘Room For Squares’ that wasn’t even a single) at a cafe in Hongdae. It’s now a staple in my playlist, all thanks to a bald barista. Without him, I might never have known this gem. Sometimes, I miss those old cozy cafes where I could sink into a plush chair and enjoy the tunes. But that doesn’t mean I dislike the sleek franchise coffee shops…
It’s all good with both mom and dad. Just saying.
Leave a Reply