Q: new version of software won't open previously recorded songs

Hello gh4351,

Thanks for that info and choosing the Apple Support Communities. I know how important opening your existing GarageBand projects is to you! If I understand correctly, you are unable to open previous GarageBand projects since updating GarageBand. I have a couple of suggestions to help resolve this issue:

1. Use Safe Mode to start up your Mac so that it performs certain checks, delete system cache files, verifies your startup disk, and attempts to repair directory issues if needed. Try opening the GarageBand files again, but be advised that most audio doesn’t work in Safe Mode, so that is expected.

Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up
Limited graphics performance in OS X recovery or safe mode

2. If you're still having an issue with your GarageBand projects, I would follow the steps in this article, like testing in a new user or resetting GarageBand preferences:

If GarageBand for Mac won't open or play back your project

Cheers!