The8-track tape(formallyStereo 8; commonly calledeight-track cartridge,eight-track tape, andeight-track) is amagnetic-tape sound recordingtechnology that was popularfrom the mid-1960s to the early 1980s, when thecompact cassette, which pre-dated the 8-track system, surpassed it in popularity for pre-recorded music.
The format was commonly used in cars and was most popular in the United States and Canada and, to a lesser extent, in the United Kingdom.One advantage of the 8-track tape cartridge was that it could play continuously in an endless loop, and did not have to be ejected, turned around and reinserted to play the entire tape. After about 80 minutes of playing time, the tape would start again at the beginning. Because of the loop, there is no rewind. The only options the consumer has are play, fast forward, record, and program (track) change.
The 8-track tape format is now considered obsolete, although there are collectors who refurbish these tapes and players as well as some bands that issue these tapes as a novelty.Cheap Trick'sThe Latestin 2009 was issued on 8-track, as wasDolly Parton'sA Holly Dolly Christmasin 2020, the latter with an exclusive bonus track.