Music in the background vs Music on the background

The correct phrase is 'music in the background.' 'In the background' is the standard prepositional phrase used to describe music playing quietly or subtly behind other sounds. 'On the background' is not a common or correct phrase in English.

Last updated: March 27, 2024

Music in the background

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to describe music playing quietly or subtly behind other sounds, creating a background ambiance.

Examples:

I like to have music in the background while I work.
The restaurant always has soft music in the background.
There was soothing music in the background of the movie scene.
We could hear music in the background of the party.
She prefers to have jazz music in the background during dinner.

Show examples from the web [+]

Interiors are with gusto, music in the background, tables are well prepared.
An intimate and refined environment for romantic dinners in relax, with live music in the background, candle light to illuminate elaborate gourmet dishes and an excellent service.
The music in the background has a decidedly Indian flair.
Play this music in the background during the party.
You can communicate in intercom mode at the same time listen to music in the background
While you do that, enjoy the nice music in the background that will surely keep you playing more and more.
Leone had Morricone compose the score before shooting started and would play the music in the background for the actors on set.
(beats covered the music in the background)
Emanuela and Paolo will delight you with excellent dinners by candlelight, accompanied by good wine and music in the background.
With music in the background, air conditioning and interior lighting is not the same, for high luxury.
And this wasn't some academic exercise, it made reading with music in the background impossible it just kept drawing me in.
There is good music in the background to put players in the right mood for playing.
The scene reminded me of Dr. Strangelove, where the plane is being refueled in midair with that long, suggestive tube, and the music in the background is Try a Little Tenderness.
Dinner by candlelight in the pool with soft lighting and music in the background!
T he dim lights, the music in the background... What else do you need to imagine a perfect evening, alone or in company?
Secondly, a nice cool little place: whether you are at the seaside, in a bar in the center or in your little garden, it's important to have chairs for everyone and good music in the background.
Why not just point the camera at the talking points e-mail and play music in the background?
The game uses simplicity, novel gameplay and beautiful music in the background to entice you to play for hours!
(music in the background)
Let's take a look at some of the other items that you can expect from this major update coming this Autumn:USB Music Player: PS4 owners will be able to play their own music in the background while playing a game using USB Music Player*.

Alternatives:

music playing in the background
music softly in the background
background music
music in the backdrop
music in the distance

Music on the background

This phrase is not correct in English. 'On the background' is not a standard or commonly used phrase to describe music playing quietly behind other sounds.

Show examples from the web [+]

Isolate and reduce the volume of the background music.
There was some music playing in the background...
You don't hear music playing in the background.
At first I assumed it had been filed incorrectly, but when I listened again, I noticed tiny jumps in the background music.
(beats covered the music in the background)
We both know if I come back, NBC's going to milk it by showing me in slow motion with lame uplifting music in the background.
There was screaming, blood, people tearing each other's faces off while holiday music played in the background.
And it just so happened that while they were showing me... a particularly bad film of, like, a concentration camp... the background music was playing Beethoven.
Students often study with music playing in the background, and people working around the house will usually turn on the television or radio to keep them company.
And there's this loud, thrilling music in the background, this wild music.
commissioned Mastropiero to compose the background music... for a film being shot by the celebrated director Ralph Smith,...
Listen... [multiple conversations with organ music in the background] ...and there is another thing I want you to make sure of on this most solemn and joyous...
[Soft instrumental music, background]
[Upbeat rock music, background]
Don't use sad ballads as the webpage's background music.
Every day you become more and more like background music.
Shh. But she's - It's background music.
In middle school... the song was played as background music.
I get my mates to call for background music...
I think we really do need some background music.

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Music in the background vs Music on the background