Music consumerism and Starbucks
MUSIC TRENDS | Music consumerism and Starbucks. It’s a whole new world.
All of a sudden Starbucks is to music like Oprah is to books.
The coffee giant is brewing up more than Mocha Javas, and even superstars like Alanis Morissette are jumping on the barista wagon. You see, music consumerism and Starbucks now go hand in hand.
In honour of the 10th anniversary of the release of Jagged Little Pill, formerly angry, now supposedly-serene Morissette plans to put out an acoustic version, initially available exclusively at Starbucks.
Has the caffeine gone to her brain?
Alanis’ Jagged Little Pill, Acoustic, 2005
Maybe not. Here we take a little look at a few key moments in Starbucks music history. Enjoy a sip and we’ll give you the skinny (i.e. the non-fat info) on the trend.
1999
Music catalogue company Hear Music partners with Starbucks to “enhance the discovery of music in their coffeehouses”. Tunes played at Starbucks are now diligently controlled, contrived and compiled.
2001
XM Satellite Radio launches commercial service. Starbucks and Hear Music partner with XM and the Starbucks sound becomes available 24/7 on XM Channel 75.
2004
Ray Charles’ When Genius Loves Company sells more copies at Starbucks than at any other individual retailer. Over 350,000 copies find homes with latte-lovers and mochachino maniacs.
2005
Alanis Morissette’s acoustic Jagged Little Pill prepares for an exclusive 6 week release at Starbucks. Now that the grumpy’s gone out of her sound, Morissette fits in perfectly with the mellow coffeehouse vibe.
The bottom line? Music consumerism has changed.
And that’s not a bad thing. Starbucks may be a major musical marketing force these days, but you needn’t worry about having the hand of the man dictate what you listen to. Just get your coffee to go.
A version of this piece about music consumerism and Starbucks was commissioned as filler content for Dose online, pre-launch, March 2005.