Why Does Everyone Know That Hold Music? The Untold Story of Cisco’s “Opus No. 1”

The Untold Story of Cisco’s “Opus No. 1”

If you’ve ever waited on the line for a customer service agent, you’ve probably heard a certain breezy, hypnotic melody looping in the background. It’s not Beethoven. It’s not elevator jazz. It’s not even a pop song. It’s the legendary Cisco hold music—officially known as Opus No. 1.

But how did this instrumental track become the most famous phone hold music in the world? Why does it make people both nostalgic and strangely calm? And what is it about this music that makes it the best waiting music (or, to some, the most unforgettable earworm)?

Let’s explore the surprising story, psychology, and cultural afterlife of the song you never meant to memorize—but probably did.

What IS Cisco’s Hold Music?

At its core, Opus No. 1 is the default on-hold music for millions of Cisco phone systems worldwide. If you search for “cisco call waiting music,” “best call waiting music,” or even just “phone call hold music,” you’ll find countless forums, YouTube videos, memes, and nostalgic posts all talking about this tune.

It’s been described as:

• The “soundtrack of bureaucracy”
• “Corporate America’s lullaby”
• “That song you can’t get out of your head after dealing with tech support”

And if you’ve ever spent time on hold with a bank, a doctor, a university, or a government office, odds are you’ve heard it at least once (or a hundred times).

How Did Opus No. 1 Become the World’s Most-Played Phone Hold Music?

The origin story of Opus No. 1 is the stuff of internet legend—a tale of teenage experimentation, Silicon Valley serendipity, and pure audio practicality.

1. Born in a Garage (Not a Studio)

Unlike most commercial music, Opus No. 1 wasn’t commissioned by Cisco, nor was it the work of a jingle company. It started as a passion project by Tim Carleton, a high school student, and his friend Darrick Deel. In the late 1980s, the duo recorded the track in a California garage, layering synths, drum machines, and catchy hooks on a four-track recorder. Their goal? Just to have fun making music.

2. Enter Cisco—By Chance

Years later, Deel ended up working at Cisco as an engineer. When the company needed royalty-free, phone-friendly hold music for its new business systems, he offered up the now-forgotten Opus No. 1. Its dreamy, looping melody turned out to sound amazing over tinny phone lines and digital VoIP networks.

3. Viral Before “Viral” Was a Thing

Cisco adopted the song as the default hold music for its business phone systems. Suddenly, Opus No. 1 was everywhere: on conference bridges, in corporate IT departments, and echoing through countless call centers worldwide.

By sheer inertia, the track became the famous phone hold music—recognized everywhere, personalized by almost nobody, and soon cemented as a pop culture touchstone.

The Audio Science: Why Opus No. 1 Works So Well

There’s an accidental genius in Opus No. 1 that audio engineers and psychologists can appreciate:

• Frequency Range: The main synth melody sits in the sweet spot for phone speakers, sounding clear but never harsh.
• Loopability: It repeats seamlessly—never too short to be annoying, never too long to be unmemorable.
• Mood: Upbeat but not stressful. Chill, but not sleepy.
• No Lyrics: No language barriers, no risk of offensive words, and no copyright headaches.

In a sense, the song is engineered (accidentally!) for the perfect customer service limbo—soothing enough to keep you on the line, catchy enough to distract from frustration, but neutral enough not to offend.

From Waiting Room to Meme Machine: Opus No. 1 in Pop Culture

Over time, the Cisco hold music became more than just background noise. It’s sparked:

• 10-hour YouTube loops with millions of views (and passionate comments)
• Lo-fi remixes, orchestral versions, and even EDM covers
• Super Bowl commercials and news features dissecting its legacy
• A cult following among call center workers and IT admins (with fan art, shirts, and ringtones)

Reddit threads are filled with stories like:

“My coworker and I harmonize to it every time we get put on hold.” “It’s actually my go-to focus music now.” “I wish more companies would play this instead of elevator jazz.”

Strangely, the “famous phone hold music” has outlived thousands of pop songs, movie themes, and ad jingles.

“I Didn’t Make a Penny”: The Royalty-Free Reality

For all its popularity, Opus No. 1 never made its creators rich. Tim Carleton himself has said he earned “not a penny” from the track.

But perhaps that’s part of its mythos. It’s everybody’s song—open-source hold music for the planet, free from lawsuits and licensing drama.

Why Don’t Companies Change Their Hold Music?

Technically, any Cisco phone system admin can upload custom music. But:

• Default is easiest: Most IT people never change the settings.
• Familiarity breeds…tolerance? People recognize it—and sometimes even like it.
• No risk: No one gets mad if you stick with the classic.

In fact, some companies that tried to swap it for pop songs or ads switched back after customer complaints. Turns out, “Opus No. 1” is the “best waiting music” for a reason.

The Psychology of Waiting (and Why Good Hold Music Matters)

Scientists have studied the impact of hold music on caller patience:

• Pleasant music extends wait times. People are less likely to hang up if they enjoy the tune.
• Familiarity reduces anxiety. The more recognizable the hold music, the more callers “trust” they’re still connected.
• No music is worst of all. Silence makes people think they’ve been disconnected.

Opus No. 1 succeeds where most fail: It’s non-offensive, gently stimulating, and (oddly) reassuring. The sound of “I’ll be with you shortly,” even if you know you’ll wait a while.

Is There a Future for Hold Music? Or Is Opus No. 1 Here to Stay?

While the rise of chatbots, instant messaging, and callback technology means fewer people need to wait on hold, the reality is that voice calls aren’t going away any time soon—especially for urgent support, health care, or financial calls.

So whether you’re dialing in from an old-school landline or the latest VoIP app, chances are, the legendary Cisco holding music will still be there—waiting for you.

And when you hear those iconic notes, you’ll know: You’re not just on hold. You’re part of a global club—a billion-strong society of patient, music-savvy callers.

TL;DR: The Legacy of Cisco’s Opus No. 1

• Composed by a teenager (Tim Carleton) and a techie friend (Darrick Deel) in the ‘80s
• Became the default Cisco systems hold music by sheer luck
• Heard by millions daily, on phones everywhere
• Free to use, never earned royalties
• Now a meme, a cult classic, and the “official” sound of being put on hold

What’s your favorite (or least favorite) hold music experience? Do you prefer Opus No. 1 to elevator jazz? Share your stories below!