Definition

Noun: A popular song from the past that remains well-known and enjoyed, often evoking nostalgia.

Usage

A "golden oldie" refers specifically to a piece of popular music, typically from several decades prior, that has endured in public memory and affection. It is used to describe songs that are considered classics within a genre, such as pop, rock, or soul, from a bygone era.

Examples

• The radio station has a weekend show dedicated to playing golden oldies from the 1960s and 70s.
• At the family reunion, they danced to golden oldies that their parents used to love.
• That Beatles track is a real golden oldie; it still gets played at parties all the time.

Advanced Usage

• The term can sometimes be applied humorously or affectionately to other nostalgic items from the past, such as films or fashions, but its primary and most correct usage is for songs.
  • My dad still drives that car from the 80s; it's a real golden oldie.

Variants and Related Words

• Oldie (noun): A more general, informal term for any old popular song or sometimes any old item. A "golden oldie" implies the song has a special, enduring quality, whereas an "oldie" might just be old.
• Classic (noun/adjective): A work of art, like a song or film, of recognized and enduring value. A "golden oldie" is a type of classic song.
• Throwback (noun): Something that is reminiscent of an earlier time. A "golden oldie" is a musical throwback.

Synonyms

• Classic hit
• Nostalgic tune
• Retro song

Antonyms

• New release
• Current hit
• Chart-topper (when referring specifically to a new song)

Related Idioms & Phrases

• A blast from the past: Something that suddenly reminds you of an earlier period. A "golden oldie" on the radio can be a blast from the past.
  • Hearing that golden oldie was a real blast from the past.

Noun

1. a song that was formerly popular