There are days when all I want is a little peace. And for that, I take advantage of apps to listen to old songs and remember good times.
There’s nothing like playing a Beatles classic or hearing Whitney Houston’s unmistakable voice echoing through the house.
These are songs that, even though they were released decades ago, never seem to go out of style.
I remember a rainy Saturday here at home — the kids playing in the living room, my wife reading a book and me, with headphones on, listening to Frank Sinatra sing “My Way”.
It’s amazing how certain songs can touch the soul.
With today’s technology, we no longer need to search through vinyl records or wait for them to play on the radio.
There are incredible apps for listening to old music by international artists, and the collection is simply immense. Here are some of my favorites:
Apps zum Anhören alter Musik
TuneIn and Rádio Garden
These two are not exactly for on-demand streaming, but rather for listening to radio stations from all over the world. And many radio stations dedicate their entire programming to old international music.
I once stopped by an American radio station playing only Elvis Presley — I listened for an hour without even noticing the time passing.
It’s nostalgic, you know? Because in addition to the music, there’s that old-school radio vibe, with commercials, deep-voiced announcers, and even retro jingles.
Amazon Music
This is an app that many people don’t remember, but it has an incredible collection, especially for those who already subscribe to Amazon Prime.
One of the things I like about it is how it’s organized by decades. You can browse lists like “80s Classics,” “70s Rock,” or “90s Ballads.”
That’s where I rediscover the anthems that marked my adolescence, like “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton or “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. 3.
Deezer
I especially like Deezer for its “Vintage Hits” feature, which is an automatic selection of old and classic songs from several decades.
There, I rediscovered artists that my mother listened to when she was young, such as the Carpenters, Barry White, Eurythmics and Chicago.
And the app has a special feature: it shows the lyrics of the song while it plays, which is great when you want to sing along — even if you’re out of tune, like me!
YouTube Music
Another app that I use a lot. It’s great for finding rare concerts, live versions and even those lost recordings from the 60s and 70s that don’t appear elsewhere.
I once found a video of the Bee Gees singing “How Deep Is Your Love” at a festival in Italy — a beautiful thing, priceless.
In addition, YouTube Music also allows you to save songs to listen to offline, which is great when I’m away from home or when my internet connection is unstable.
Spotify
Yes, that one again. Spotify is a champion for a reason: it has absolutely everything. From Queen, Elton John, The Rolling Stones and ABBA, to icons like Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, David Bowie, Madonna and Bob Marley.
Just type in the artist’s name and dive into their complete discography. For example, I have a playlist called “Songs to listen to on the road”, filled with rock and soul classics.
When I feel like traveling or feeling nostalgic, that’s what I play in the car.
A memory to share…
One night my oldest son asked me what I listened to when I was his age. Instead of explaining, I played “Hotel California” by the Eagles, and then “Imagine” by John Lennon.
He was silent, listening to every word. In the end, he said to me: “these songs are different… they seem more real”. And that’s exactly it. Old songs carry a kind of feeling that sometimes today’s productions lack.
I’m not saying that current music is bad, far from it. But there’s something special about classics — a mix of poetry, melody, and history. If you also feel this connection, I highly recommend that you download one of these apps and create your own soundtrack to life.
Whether it’s to remember loves, trips, youth, or just to feel that warmth in your chest, old songs — especially by great international artists — are there, ready to accompany you.
Because in the end, as Lennon himself would say, “life is what happens while we’re busy making other plans.” And if it’s with good background music, even better.
Apps for listening to old music for you.
Download the apps here!