October 4, 2009, 1:35PM
	by: baroque topic: Rants bookmark this article view bookmarked articles go to archives
This question has interested me for the longest time: why do people listen to the music that they listen to? I've tried finding something pertaining to this on the internet, yet everything I create to use as a search phrase returns garbage. I read somewhere, or heard somewhere, that music is what emotion sounds like. If this is true, is it plausible that a person's music choice depends upon their personality type? There are many personality types out there, and each one comes with its very own unique set of “built-in” temperaments. However, not everyone enjoys music for its emotional value, even though the greater majority of songs are based on love. Maybe there's an intellectual view in regards to music? Perhaps some people listen to music based on the content of the lyrics with little regard to how the song actually sounds. I know that there are songs that I can't help but sing along. I could be somehow relating to those songs, or it could just be a reflex to sing to music. I don't really even know, but it doesn't happen with every song I know the lyrics to. Any ideas?

Shock_Scene

Judging by the way I listen to music... I am full face value with some music. With other music... I'm not so sure. Most songs I like are an all around "like" for me. Good lyrics, awesome instrumentals, and maybe an awesome underlying meaning in my own personal life. I have come to notice though... Most hits these days are repetitive, easy to learn and sing to. Music really fuels my mood. Probably more than it should... I listen to a sad song and instantly burst into tears. Its hard to understand and grasp why and what effect music has on anyone. ------ I'm dying of a disease you can't cure My heart is blackening from your torture October 4, 2009, 5:03PM

RushupEdge

People listen to the music that they are told to listen to. ------ She leaves nowhere to hide, I leave no hide to wear. October 5, 2009, 7:33AM

conduit

"I read somewhere, or heard somewhere, that music is what emotion sounds like. If this is true, is it plausible that a person's music choice depends upon their personality type? There are many personality types out there, and each one comes with its very own unique set of “built-in” temperaments." I tend to think of personality type and emotion being two different ways of looking at music. Personality type may dictate the way in which your mind works and how it processes information, but doesn't necessarily dictate your mood, temperament, or how certain things make you feel. Thats just the way I see it, I don't think each type has its own "built-in temperament", or at least not to the extent that applies to how we emotionally attach ourself to music. "I know that there are songs that I can't help but sing along. I could be somehow relating to those songs, or it could just be a reflex to sing to music." This is interesting as it reminds me of something I read the other day relating to catchy tunes that we get stuck in our heads... Songs that get stuck in our heads are called 'earworms' from the german 'ohrworm', or 'involuntary musical imagery', and can be very annoying. Nearly everyone gets them on occasion, but some people are much more susceptible than others. Earworms might exist because the brain never stops working. There are loops and patterns constantly swirling about. The auditory areas of the cortex, where musical information s retained, are no different and may be processing musical scraps or whole symphonies all day. One theory describes songs as memes - bits of information that compete to use your your brain to get themselves copied. Most fail, but some have what it takes to become an earworm, whether thats an unforgettable catchphrase or a recursive structure such that you never reach a satisfying end point and stop. As for why we listen to certain types of music, I can only speak for my own preferences... On the one hand I believe my own personality type goes a long way to explaining the kind of music which interests me... Another area of interest common to INTPs, where Si has a strong influence, is Music. INTPs are usually fascinated by music and may have deep and wide-ranging tastes. Indeed, each of their three main functions (Ti, Ne, Si) plays a role in the enjoyment of music, and music is a key interest for bringing out the feeling shadow of the INTP. Si itself brings a fascination for mood and atmosphere in music as well as for a strong sense of personal nostalgia. INTPs are therefore often keen on melancolic minor-key music in which an introspective and/or esoteric mood is conveyed. Equally, INTPs enjoy hearing music that they heard and enjoyed when younger (provided they can still appreciate it now) and yearn for the sense of nostalgia that it yields. INTPs are also drawn to complexly structured music, thanks to their Ti core. An appreciation of modern classical music, as well as perhaps contemporary jazz, is therefore common with them. Such music types are usually too complex to be understood after a single hearing, which hence provides excellent material for analysis, exciting the INTP no end. Once the basic developmental structure of the music has been assessed, Ne provides the impetus to derive a general meaning of the piece. What does the composer wish to convey, for example? Why was that particular development chosen? Indeed, the Ne is usually hard at work during listening sessions, trying to grasp the meanings behind the often fascinating combinations of sound-world evocations, structural developments and nostalgic impressions." On the other hand my emotional state of mind also has a lot do do with it, I like to feel an emotional attachment, hence I listen to a lot of angry, depressing music. If music is the audio represenation of emotion then I enjoy listening to the sound of bitter despair. For me I have to be able to persoanally relate to the music, but I also like music which conveys the kind of themes, concepts and ideas to get my mind working and which will keep me thinking long after I've pressed the stop button. So yeah, I agree, I think that we listen to the kind of music which suits us emotionally AND intellectually. Its both an expression of feeling and an exploration of ideas. October 5, 2009, 5:26PM

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