The Groovy History of Library Music: A Symphony of Sounds You Never Heard
“Library music, the soundtrack of your forgotten memories.”
Library music, a genre known for its ubiquity yet shrouded in obscurity, is a peculiar beast indeed. While you’ve likely heard it countless times, you probably wouldn’t recognize its name. Think of the cheerful, cheesy background music that fills the air of a supermarket, a nature documentary, or even a game show. That, my friend, is library music.
Born in the 1950s, library music emerged as a solution to the music industry’s growing demand for royalty-free tunes. Record companies like KPM, De Wolfe Music, and Bruton began creating catalogs of readily-available music, primarily for use in television, film, and radio.
Initially, library music was mainly instrumental, showcasing genres like easy listening, jazz, and classical. Over time, it embraced a wider range of sounds, including rock, pop, and even experimental music.
A Few Quirky Facts about Library Music:
The Forgotten Masterpieces: Some library music tracks are actually quite sophisticated and even groundbreaking. However, their obscurity often keeps them from receiving the recognition they deserve.
The “Cue Sheet” Mystery: Producers would often use a “cue sheet” to select tracks from library music catalogs, sometimes choosing pieces based on their catchy titles, like “Funky Chickens” or “The Evil Scientist.”
The “Steal This Music” Mentality: Due to its royalty-free nature, library music has sometimes been used without proper licensing, contributing to its reputation as “the music that nobody owns.”
The Unexpected Star: Did you know that the iconic “Shaft” theme song, composed by Isaac Hayes, originally started life as a library track titled “Soulful Strut?”
In recent years, library music has experienced a resurgence, thanks to its retro charm and its unique ability to evoke nostalgia. It’s found its way into modern music, inspiring musicians and filmmakers alike.
So next time you hear that catchy jingle in the background, remember that it’s probably a hidden gem from the world of library music, a genre full of forgotten melodies and unexpected stories.
