Restaurants and cafes use music to create the perfect atmosphere for customers. One of the most favored is music in coffee shops, so much so that it has become a combined genre. And guess what? You can enjoy coffee house music anytime, anywhere. But what is coffee house music?
The most common type of coffee house music is jazz, with folk-rock following closely. Music like bossa nova, electronic, R&B, and hip hop have recently become common in coffee joints to keep up with ever-changing trends and cater to the younger generation’s preferences.
Understanding the world of coffee house music and all it entails is a great way to appreciate the tunes that cafes play. And why not enjoy these melodies at your own leisure? Let’s get into it, shall we?
Coffee House Music Defined
The basic and simplest definition of coffee house music is tunes, melodies, and songs played in cafes – specifically, coffee joints. Over the years, coffee house music became so loved that it became unofficially branded as a genre.
It is not one specific type of music, albeit commonly labeled as jazz. Instead, it combines various genres played in multiple coffee shop establishments. Coffee house music became so popular that many songwriters, singers, and bands now create music around the ‘genre.’
Coffee house music comes from all eras, ranging from soothing to uplifting. Sometimes they are acoustic, and other times, you can ruminate on the thought-provoking lyrics. Sometimes the romantic melodies have you swooning, and other times, your body will want to dance to the R&B.
The Origin Of Coffee House Music
Referring back to the history of coffee houses, we learn that informal jazz, beatnik, and folk music became identified with coffeehouses after World War II. Early Western coffee houses quickly became a place for people to socialize.
But coffee houses and associated music can be traced back long before that. According to the Library of Congress, the first coffee houses are traced back to the 1500s. And it quickly became a widespread establishment for people to visit.
Apart from socializing, men usually met up at coffee houses to discuss business. The coffee houses offered newspapers and motivated conversations between people of all social levels. It even became a place for people to gossip.
During the 19th century, the hype of coffee houses died down and picked up again in the early 20th century, when folk music was already a loved entertainment. Folk music was first enjoyed in homes, churches, and community venues until they brought it to coffee houses for more entertainment.
Postwar, folk music appeared to have taken a step forward and matched the new progressive conversations on politics and other topics. Guitarists and songwriters took the opportunity to explore and portray their talent.
Coffee houses are typically local coffee shops, where local musicians play instruments and sometimes those passing through the towns. Over time and as technology developed, records and radio tapes appeared, and many coffee houses began using those to play music in the background.
Today, there are coffee houses that try to keep up the traditional way of engaging in local music and creating community through it. Large international establishments like Starbucks also engage in coffee house music, albeit in more modern forms.
Why Is Coffee House Music Popular?
Coffee house music becoming its own genre and a reference to a music type even by professional musicians tells you that it is prevalent and continues to grow exponentially. But coffee house music became popular because of its value and essence in its setting.
Creates A Relaxing And Soothing Atmosphere
People often go to coffee shops to relax, unwind, and have a joyful time while enjoying some good coffee and maybe a couple of snacks. Music tends to calm people naturally. It can almost put you into a trans if you fully relax.
Coffee houses can often get noisy with customers chatting, tables and chairs screeching, tellers calling out orders, and not forgetting all the machine and equipment sounds. With music playing in the background, customers lose focus on the disturbances and indulge in the melodies.
Not all music will create a soothing environment. Some coffee joints play more hip songs to keep up with trends, especially these days. But music provides a space with an added layer of ‘vibes,’ and coffee houses are often meant to be relaxing. Music is typically used to create that calming effect.
Attracts Customers
Music in coffee houses is a means to attract customers to the establishments. People will likely go where they can see, hear and feel a positive environment. People want to experience joy. Walking into a coffee joint and hearing good music immediately makes you want to stay there.
While coffee house music might not have developed by being used as a marketing manipulation tactic, it has definitely progressed that way. And it is a pretty positive aspect. People love it. They want to be in such shops where they feel welcomed through music.
Music reduces agitation and stimulates oxytocin. Oxytocin releases happy feelings and positive thoughts. This occurs in a coffee house from the music is a natural result, so even old customers become regular and new ones don’t hesitate to approach the establishment.
Brings Coffee Culture
Music also adds specific energy to a space. You can take an empty warehouse, play a hip-hop song, and suddenly the area feels upbeat and exciting. Similarly, a coffee house is just a business establishment until you add music – now it becomes a socially engaging space.
This is also how coffee culture is built and maintained. The idea of bringing people together, encouraging business dealings, and conversations, motivating common interests, etc., is how coffee houses keep their business running.
In today’s times, indulging in a cuppa at a coffee joint, alone, with someone, or in a group with music playing in the background brings a new level of culture. Even doing work, reading a book, or filming content for social media is part of coffee culture. Music enhances these situations to make them more appealing.
Offers A Distraction-Free Environment
We understand that historically coffee houses were a place where business was often discussed. Many deals were made, and companies were created in coffee shops. That dynamic has not disappeared or changed. People still engage in business dealings in coffee shops, and it is even a trend.
You can find people sitting with laptops, meeting with clients, doing Zoom calls, and celebrating closing deals in coffee joints. Apart from that, it is common to find people studying, reading, or taking quiet time away from the hustle of life in coffee shops.
This is only possible because coffee houses provide a calming, distraction-free environment. It seems ironic that with customers going in and out and the general noises and disturbances in an establishment like that, people are able to find a space of concentration.
Of course, the music played in coffee houses, and the overall aesthetics and vibe play a role in this. The music allows a coffee house to become a space for people to focus and stimulate their creativity, thus allowing efficient workflow and productivity.
Characteristics Of Coffee House Music
We now know what coffee house music is and why it has become so globally popular. But understanding the type of music in more detail allows us to love it deeper. Learning the characteristics of coffee house music also allows one to find different ways to enjoy it.
Here are the primary characteristics of coffee house music:
Acoustic Sounds And Instruments
One of the most common types of music played in coffee houses is acoustic. Historically, this is how coffee house music. Townsfolk would use acoustic instruments (mechanical melodies) and sometimes sing along. Acoustic music is on the quiet side, relaxing, and trans-inducing.
Electric instruments like guitars, pianos, etc., are standard for coffee house music. The primary point of this is that the music comes from instruments. This is where jazz often comes in; however, acoustic jazz is also loved in coffee house music.
Acoustic and instrumental music is more old school and gives that authentic, traditional vibe of the original, small, community, classic coffee houses from the early generations. Most conventional coffee shops still prefer these sounds, while modern coffee chains branch out to contemporary music.
Mellow And Melancholic Tones
Another common characteristic of coffee house music is the mellow tones. Music created with instruments that give warmth, lower and longer tunes, and a slight melancholic vibe are classic. These tones are meant to seduce customers into complete relaxation.
The purpose of that then causes customers to remain in coffee shops longer and release happy hormones, which makes people want to spend more money. It is also meant to induce a euphoric feeling, which coffee houses match through certain escapism and bold yet calming interiors.
Thought-Provoking Lyrics
Coffee house music includes songs with lyrics. The lyrics are often thought-provoking and touching. They are also often romantic, which allows customers to feel enthused, attached, and connected to the moment.
Top Coffee House Music Artists And Songs
Below is a list of the top coffee house music artists and songs that you can add to your chill session playlist:
Norah Jones – Come Away with Me
This song is a folk infusion of blues, jazz, folk, country, and soul. The perfect combination for coffee house music. It is based on a profound story that portrays love, loss, family, and travel. The melody is beautiful and calming, and the lyrics are soul-touching.
John Mayer – Room for Squares
This is the ideal coffee house music album with a bit of a mood-lifting beat. Acoustic, pop, and soft rock create a combination perfect for that background sing-along soundtrack.
Ed Sheeran Plus
Ed Sheeran is always a hit for any mood. But his Plus album suits the coffee house music style with the soothing infusion of his beautiful lyrics and folk, indie folk, acoustic, pop, and mixture of soul soundtracks.
James Bay – Chaos And The Calm
Another fantastic album with rock, pop, indie rock, soul music, and more. This album features a little more upbeat music and fits wonderfully for a morning soundtrack in a coffee house.
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman is a talented artist known for her pop, rock, soul, and folk music. Her beautiful voice, thought-provoking lyrics, and relaxing tunes complement any coffee house vibe.
Coffee House Music Playlists And Streaming Platforms
If you want to use coffee house music at your party, enjoy it on your next road trip, or indulge in it on your next chill session, you don’t need to break your head to find songs and artists.
There are many platforms where you can simply type in coffee house music and find hours of content with sweet, mellow, and soothing tunes. If you prefer upbeat melodies, you can find those too.
Below are some playlists you can enjoy:
Spotify Coffee House Music Playlist
For All You Give by The Paper Kites, Nothing Compares by Bre Kennedy, and Something in the Orange by Zach Bryan is relaxing songs on this playlist – Your Favorite Coffeehouse.
Apple Music Coffee House Essentials Playlist
Sunrise by Norah Jones, Better Together by Jack Johnson, Here Comes the Sun by The Beatles, and Cardigan by Taylor Swift are some songs on this Coffee Shop Essentials playlist.
Pandora Coffee House Radio Station
If available, the Pandora Coffee House Radio Station is a curated playlist to get you in the mood. It has music from famous singer and songwriter Jewel, amongst others. And it makes a great day or night soundtrack.
YouTube Coffee House Music Channel
YouTube has several options, but the Café Music BGM Channel is a standard favorite. And the best part is you can play it on a big screen and enjoy the beautiful scenery of indoor and outdoor coffee shops, soothing weather, and more.
Conclusion
Coffee house music is a beautiful, fun, relaxing, and touching music genre that is not only reserved for enjoying over a cup of coffee. You can play it anywhere, anytime, especially if you enjoy folk music, jazz, pop, rock, and soul music that will bring out all the happy hormones.
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