How long before you consider a song a classic?

Question

I want to know if there is a specific timeline (10years, 5 years, etc..) before you can consider a song a classic given that this song was famous and climbed the top of the charts a couple of times.

Answer 1

A few years of limited air play later. If it still sounds good and meant something to enough people ie, you hear it in a bar and everyone says 'Oh, I haven't heard this forever, I love this song' and you compare stories about what it meant to you way back when. That is a good example of a classic in he making. I think a true classic is one that stands a good test of time and people still rush out to buy the album when they 'discover' it for themselves. I'll say 10 years.

Answer 2

10 years

Answer 3

I think it takes a decade, the whole idea of it being a classic is that it survives the test of time, and how would you really know until it's actually done that... I hate these days when people hail a new song by some copycat 70s/80s Cheers theme-sounding band an "instant classic". GRrrrrr

Answer 4

I don't think there is really a time line, because to some people NSync and Britney Spears have "classic" songs.... but I would agree with the previous answer, 20 years seems about right.

Answer 5

In my opinion, 20 years is considered a classic.

Answer 6

I say 20 years - that's the time frame they use for cars.

Answer 7

10 years... no question.

any sooner, its to early

any later, the song is at risk of being forgotten

Answer 8

4 cars its 25 yrs,, does that make "The Cars" classic's yet?

Answer 9

20 years seems right.

Answer 10

depends on the impact the song had on its audience