The Pursuit of Every Gap Store Playlist Ever

In August 2002, I was likely navigating the back-to-school shopping hustle alongside my mom, moving from one retail store to another in our local mall. We were in search of backpacks, socks, and that perfect first-day outfit. Gap was undoubtedly on our list — and it’s thanks to Michael Bise that I can now recall the melodies that serenaded our shopping experience.

The Unique Store Soundtrack

When Michael Bise began his tenure at a Gap outlet in Dallas in 1992, one of the standout elements was the soundtrack playing throughout the store. It defied his expectations instantly. Instead of the typical mellow tunes found in large department stores or trending pop songs, the audio landscape was adorned with house music, dance tracks, lesser-known David Bowie pieces, and hits from bands like The Bangles. The music, a curated four-hour collection on tapes, looped incessantly through working hours. Rozalla’s 'Love Breakdown' captivated Bise so much that it prompted him to purchase the CD after his initial shift. Likewise, Opus III’s 'It’s a Fine Day,' featured on the October 1992 playlist, vividly captured Bise’s memory.

Bise states, 'When I’m listening, I can see the entire layout of the store as it was during that month.'

A Collector's Resolve

Accompanying these monthly audio items, a printed list of the songs was provided for employees, allowing them to inform customers about specific tracks upon inquiry, according to Bise. These tapes were to be returned, but with approval from his manager, Bise began to keep the printouts for his personal archive. By 2005, this habit had transformed into a treasure trove of roughly 200 playlists, each featuring about 50 songs.

Bise explains, 'My goal was to have the complete set, capturing all the obscure remixes, every bit of R&B or disco, the entire mix.'

A Loss and a Revival

In 2006, during a move to a new city, all his printed playlists vanished. Once he processed the disappointment, Bise embarked on a mission to digitally reconstruct them, searching on iTunes until he uncovered tracks that jogged his memory of specific playlists. Remarkably, in 2010, he stumbled upon a batch of 25 physical playlists. These originated not just from Gap but also from its subsidiaries such as Gap Kids and Gap Body. Although precious, this find couldn’t erase the sense of loss for the gems remembered only in memory.

In 2015, Bise took to the internet, aiming to connect with other past employees who might have also held onto their playlists. Years down the line, this effort bore fruit when a blog post he wrote gained traction.

Reconstructing Cultural Soundscapes

Gradually, Bise managed to replenish his collection, expanding beyond Gap to related brands like Banana Republic and Old Navy. Assistance came from various sources, like a man who reached out with playlists covering 1996 to 2000, after reading Bise’s blog. A significant breakthrough came in 2017 with heightened media attention, even drawing Gap's interest in having Bise curate current playlists. He remains dedicated to filling gaps in his collection, employing publicity and collaborations in hopes someone, somewhere, stashed away playlists.

For Bise, playlists are fleeting yet timeless; they are snapshots of particular eras, echoing the personal soundtrack to days gone by. While today’s technology allows for instant access to vast libraries of music, the prospect that Gap didn’t systematically save its playlists—or if it did, they are misplaced—puzzles him.

The Appeal of Unexpected Tunes

The true allure for Bise was the spontaneous nature of the Gap playlists: unexpected songs and remixes that resonated with him immediately. These weren’t straightforward top 40 playlists but rather an eclectic mix that was surprisingly cohesive. Sometimes, people share their playlists with Bise, highlighting that many favor repetitions of familiar tracks. Reflecting back on his days purchasing CDs of specific noted songs from the store playlists, Bise recalls both the pleasure and the lack—his desires extending beyond just playing favorites to embracing the unfamiliar.

An Ongoing Collection

While Bise possesses a wide array of playlists from his time in Gap, he remains far from completing his set. He meticulously lists the gaps, conjuring hopes that an equally impassioned soul might read these words and dig out their long-forgotten treasures. Should you possess any insight into Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, or any related line's playlists, Michael Bise would be eager to hear from you at michaelbise@msn.com.