"Old" Music?

Question

If I want to say "I like to listen to old music, such as rock and grunge that was made before I was born," what is the correct word for "old" in this context? It isn't really "antigua" (as I am not referring to very old music, simply what young people consider as old) nor "vieja" ... is it? Please help I am really stuck on this.

Answer 1

I agree with Jeezzle, although "old" really depends on the age of the person making the statement.

For R & R from the 50s and 60s, you could also say "Rock & Roll clásica" because back then it was still in its formative times.

For Grunge, aside from sounds made by grimy, zero-musician kids banging on vintage Fenders, I would just call it "Grunge" since it came and went in the wink of an eye.

You make grunge sound like punk :) - lorenzo9, May 16, 2011

"[el] Rock & Roll clásico". Oh, and I would hardly call bands like Nirvana and Pearl Jam "zero-musician kids". ;-D - 002067fe, May 16, 2011

Answer 2

Anyone for rock music that is "pasada de moda"... still enjoyed by some but just not current....

I think you just described half of my CD collection. - lorenzo9, May 16, 2011

And all of my cassettes! ;-) - cristalino, May 16, 2011

I used to have Black Sabbath 8-tracks. . . - lorenzo9, May 16, 2011

The hairy days of the 70s - 005faa61, May 16, 2011

led to the hairspray days of the 80's - lorenzo9, May 16, 2011

Answer 3

I think it's vieja. and antigua is even older music. However I would hardly consider grunge and rock as old, they seem like they just came out the other day don't they? I mean I remember Nirvana's first concert in Texas, and the album Nevermind, are they really old? I don't understand.

Of course I could be wrong with both terms. Gracias.

I wouldn't accept that yet, I could be wrong. - jeezzle, May 16, 2011

Thanks jeezzle! Personally, I don't think grunge or rock is 'old' either but when I mentioned my favourite bands to my classmates and teacher, the immediate response was "That's old music". Go figure I guess. Muchas gracias! - jadempsey, May 16, 2011

"vieja" is perfectly fine in this context, amigo. - 002067fe, May 16, 2011

It's all relative...to time and taste... :) - cristalino, May 16, 2011

Answer 4

Coming from a music background, I've heard and use either, los clásicos or la vieja escuela.

La vieja escuela en serio? - jeezzle, May 16, 2011

Sounds like an Americanism. . .you probably hear it from Texas to California. - lorenzo9, May 16, 2011

Answer 5

In México, viejo, vieja is rather something outdated, or worn out. Instead, antiguo, antigua may be something valuable or classic:

Un coche antiguo may be something valuable, a classic one, like a Cadillac or a Mustang, whereas un coche viejo may be a clunker.

Still, I can´t think a word to describe the oldies but goodies. I think I'd use the era they were originally written and recorded as a reference, something like:

El rock de los sesenta, el rock de los setenta, el rock de los ochenta.

Answer 6

I would say "la música de antaño". I'm not sure that I've ever heard this particular phrase but it's similar to phrases that I have heard. Our dictionary renders "antaño" as "last year" (although it also mentions "long ago" in passing). The RAE says "En tiempo pasado" and also gives "En el año pasado," but labels it as "no longer used".

In México we use "la música de antaño" to refere us to the 40s or 30s music, before rock and roll, such as boleros, danzones, tangos, música ranchera and so on. - LuisCache, May 16, 2011

Answer 7

Are emo and numetal considered old yet?

Answer 8

I think "vieja" is more used to describe people. As "vieja" alone can mean "old woman". So, I think it's antigua. Of course, I may be incorrect, too.

Vieja is perfectly fine to describe inanimate objects too..."la casona luce muy vieja", "este carro es demasiado viejo, no lo compres". - 002067fe, May 16, 2011

Gracias! - Tosh, May 16, 2011