What your musical tastes say about you

At every stop sign, grocery store and in school, people of all ages are seen listening to their favorite songs. The genre of music that people listen to can affect their emotions and reflect their personality, regardless of if they notice it or not. Whether it’s pop, rap, or even classical, everyone has a different taste in music that highlights the unique aspects of themselves. 

Specific songs will have different effects on emotions and the mood of the listener. Happy and upbeat songs will bring on feelings of joy and cheer. Slow and steady songs will create feelings of calmness and relaxation. However, it seems that listening to music does more than affect emotions. 

The truth lies within music. The songs that people listen to reveal who they really are on the inside and their true personality. For instance, someone who enjoys pop music is an individual who is quite outgoing and confident. People who listen to indie music may be introverted and creative. 

“I like pop and hip hop music because it helps me get through hard times,” junior Armenia Elias said.

A lot of people who use the music streaming service Spotify recently discovered how their taste in music changed drastically over the years. When users go on the app, they are able to view what artists and songs they listened to throughout the decade between 2010 and 2020. “Spotify Wrapped”, as it is called, shows how people changed over the decade through the genres and music they enjoyed. 

The change in music genres that people experience as they move on in life could be a result of their culture and where they live. The type of music that one prefers could also be from hanging out with certain friends. Whatever is relevant at the time or popular is what a lot of people like to dabble in. However, this does not mean that they do not enjoy listening to throwback songs or those that they enjoyed as a child. 

Some individuals have one special song that reminds them of their childhood or a content memory. Likewise, there are also songs out there that will remind people of an old friend they had or a heartbreak they experienced. Music affects people deep down because it can serve as a coping mechanism and create feelings of nostalgia. It also brings people together to create the most beautiful memories in life.

“The Box ” by Roddy Ricch is a song I like because it makes me feel like a child again,” senior Jalen Lowery said.

The feeling of euphoria when the perfect songs comes on is caused by the chemical dopamine that is released in the listener’s brain, causing a slight euphoric feeling. Not all people have as strong ties to music, the fuzzy feeling is derived from the individual’s love of music.

“When we listen to pleasurable music, the “pleasure chemical” dopamine is released in the striatum, a key part of the brain’s reward system…During anticipation of the peak – or “hotspot” as music psychologist John Sloboda calls it – in the music, dopamine is released in the dorsal (or upper) striatum,” an article from “The Conversation” said.

Listening to music with family members, friends or significant others creates bonds like no other. Memories are created from these moments and whenever a person listens to that song again, they cannot help but remember the cherished times of the past. Those who share their taste in music with somebody they care for creates an everlasting connection full of trust and intimacy.    

Music brings feelings of happiness, sadness, nostalgia and so many others that cannot be described. It shows the true nature of an individual while digging up memories of the past. Some feel an incredibly powerful relationship with music. Friendships can grow stronger and meaningful through the sharing of music. Overall, music is a crucial aspect of all human lives from its  creation of powerful connections on a daily basis.