The Sound of Muzak, Nearly a Century Later

For most of the last century or so, the idea of simple background music — or muzak, as it’s commonly called, after the company that pioneered the style — was to make it as generic as possible. Since catching on in the 1920s and 30s, background music was composed and recorded specifically to serve as a musical wallpaper of sorts. (For more on the making of muzak, WQXR produced a detailed history of muzak in 2017.)

But today, it turns out that a lot of businesses are wanting something a little more colorful to create an experience, and not just fill the silence on the phone or in the elevator.

Muzak (the company) filed for bankruptcy in 2009, and it was later purchased by the marketing music company Mood Media. Danny Turner, Mood Media’s senior vice president of creative programming, says music is an opportunity to invest in self-branding.

"Picking great songs is easy; picking the right songs requires a methodology," Turner said. "So now it's upfront, it's deliberate, and it's as part of the experience as any other touchpoint in that retail experience."

For example, restaurants can use background music to cover up loud kitchen noise and set the tone — maybe some R&B for a romantic vibe, or classic rock for a more casual feel. Clothing retailers might try for younger crowds with top 40 pop, while hospitals and doctors' offices go for more soothing ambient or classical music.

Salazar spoke with WNYC's Richard Hake about the state of phone call hold music.