Not just a song that can be found in the archives, but one that almost everyone can hum, even today.
(Somebody asked what was meant by “today’s…” Throw whatever you want out, somebody tossed out “Love me tender” as being a tune from in the 1860s.)
One thing people might not realise, is that memorable old music can come and go. Until someone recorded a successful rendition in the 60’s, Cannon in D had been forgotten for centuries. Now it’s almost synonymous with wedding music, and seems completely timeless.
It’s possible everyone will be crazy about 1919’s El sombrero de tres picos in 2450, and (with this all being indistinct distant history) will picture us in 2024 playing it on boombox at a 2050’s-style holo-orgy.
Will they be included with a Canadian residency or will it only be for CanadaPlus?
I think having a dance associated with the song is integral to the staying power of a song. The Twist, Hokey Pokey, Electric Slide, all great contenders.
But time will prove that the champion is The Macarena, by Los Del Rio.
B.P.E. by Girls5Eva I had this song in my head all day yesterday. https://open.spotify.com/track/7jYbX7gU0Pe2b0nZR7OSH5?si=P9aE_s8ER3unRraCRrV0dA Surely it will be known by all in the future… hehe.
7 nation army by the white stripes. It gets played after a goal is scored in football stadiums across the world.
I have a feeling that this will be one that everyone knows, but doesn’t know the title of, like Power House by Raymond Scott.
Happy Birthday has the kind of universal recognition you’d be looking for. Maybe in 300 years there’ll be a lyrical shift towards something more interesting. I know multiple versions of Greensleeves. The Cuckoo is the other song that I can think of with a long history. The wiki article doesn’t fully capture it. I’ll stick something in here later.https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cuckoo_(song)
Happy Birthday owes it’s place to function. I don’t think anybody actually enjoys it as music.
You just dug up the rap song Happy Birthday by Flipsyde ft. Piper from the depths of my memory after it had been buried for 14 years.
Belgian techno anthem Pump Up the Jam by Technotronic is one for the ages. Some say it has always been with us.