You Are What You Listen To

Isbjørn · 02-12-2013, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hat€monger ?

My favourite band are The Fall.

I don't really care if they're the best band in the world or if anybody else likes them or not.

Why?

Because it doesn't spoil my enjoyment of them. And because other people are not me and obviously think differently.

I think you'll find most rational people who are not idiots would say the same thing about their favourite band.

That's my opinion exactly, and I think everyone should be able to agree on it. My Slipknot impression was strenghtened by all the "br00tal kids" lurking around on online forums, having the same opinion.

misspoptart · 02-12-2013, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hat€monger ?

I don't really care if they're the best band in the world or if anybody else likes them or not.

Why?

Because it doesn't spoil my enjoyment of them. And because other people are not me and obviously think differently.

I enjoy music more with other people, and although I agree that people hating on my favorite songs/band doesn't spoil my enjoyment, it does sort of kill the (dancing and singing) spirit of some of what I like. The more the merrier, and that goes for (some types) of music, too.

What do you do at a party where no one likes the music you like? DEPRESSING!

Urban Hat€monger ? · 02-12-2013, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misspoptart

What do you do at a party where no one likes the music you like? DEPRESSING!

I'm lucky, I have the self awareness to know that a party is probably not the best time in trying to convince a load of drunk friends and a girl you hope to sleep with later on as to the merits of the latest Current 93 album.

misspoptart · 02-12-2013, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Urban Hat€monger ?

I'm lucky, I have the self awareness to know that a party is probably not the best time in trying to convince a load of drunk friends and a girl you hope to sleep with later on as to the merits of the latest Current 93 album.

Hahahaha...okay, I think you meant to say that you're lucky you don't like party music to begin with.

Or do you? O_o!

Urban Hat€monger ? · 02-12-2013, 07:38 AM

I like it at parties, but that's as far as it goes.

BadAnimal · 02-12-2013, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misspoptart

So, you've never listened to a song that really felt expressed your personality, beliefs, or ideas? A lot of music, especially instrumental types, given me this very profound feeling of understanding myself and the world around me. I hope I'm not the only one.

I have listened to music that I felt reflected my mood/emotions as I was listeneing, but not my "personality, beliefs, or ideas". I don't have a strong attachment with the idea of a self, nor am I strongly opinionated on many things in life; consequently, the only "self image" I could describe myself as having is that of an observer. There are probably countless songs with this theme of "no self" but I don't seek out that music or see it as a reflection of myself when I hear it.

Edit: Forgot to mention that I have had a similar profound feeling of understanding the world around me through instrumental music, so you're not alone there.

misspoptart · 02-12-2013, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BadAnimal

I have listened to music that I felt reflected my mood/emotions as I was listeneing, but not my "personality, beliefs, or ideas". I don't have a strong attachment with the idea of a self, nor am I strongly opinionated on many things in life; consequently, the only "self image" I could describe myself as having is that of an observer. There are probably countless songs with this theme of "no self" but I don't seek out that music or see it as a reflection of myself when I hear it.

Huh, cool.

I bet there are a lot of MB members who would agree with your opinion, actually.

I put a lot of emotional weight into listening to music. I use it when I write in my diary, and it brings out a lot of unknown thoughts and inspiration also. I wonder if I choose to listen to music that represents me, or if the music has defined me, over time?

BadAnimal · 02-12-2013, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by misspoptart

Huh, cool.

I bet there are a lot of MB members who would agree with your opinion, actually.

I put a lot of emotional weight into listening to music. I use it when I write in my diary, and it brings out a lot of unknown thoughts and inspiration also. I wonder if I choose to listen to music that represents me, or if the music has defined me, over time?

I bet there are a lot who would agree with yours too, and a lot who would disagree with both of us and just be indifferent to the whole affair haha.

Using music as a means of inspiration for your writing definitely strengthened your emotional attachment to it. I imagine you associate a lot of songs with experiences you wrote about in your diary? I think it's cool that you have that connection between music, memories, feelings, and thoughts. You've inspired me to try writing the thoughts that arise in my mind as I listen to music, maybe I'll end up developing a deep personal connection!

~~James~~ · 02-12-2013, 08:48 AM

This is an interesting question. I used to totally believe in this, because for a while music was really all that I cared about and I thought it was the most important thing in the world. Now I see otherwise, I don't think your music taste reflects who you are in the slightest.
When you first meet someone and they mention they like one of your favourite bands, you initially think "wow, we can totally be friends, this is so exciting" but soon that fades and you realise the person really isn't that great no matter what they like musically. You can't build a relationship on music, just like you can't build a relationship on films, or books or politics. You need to have personalities and outlooks that work together.
As for subcultures like emos, metalheads, hipsters, etc. I personally believe that if you base your entire life around the kind of music you like you're probably not that interesting deep down, but of course there are exceptions.

Plankton · 02-12-2013, 08:54 AM

My GF's nephew has autism. When he was younger (about 4 or 5) I noticed him grooving to a tune (I think it was Grand Funk or something similar), and when the guitar solo hit on the high-point or crescendo, his head went back and his eyes squinted as if he were playing it himself. He was genuinely "Feeling It". I knew right then and there that this kid would be musically gifted, and he is. But my point is, taking the title of this thread into context, that some people "Feel It" more than others, mostly because they allow themselves to be more aware of the underlying emotional response that music evokes, and it makes no difference what "Genre" the music is supposed to be categorized in.

Yes, people definitely become (or are) what they listen to... some more than others.

02-12-2013, 07:38 AM	#15 (permalink)
Urban Hat€monger ? The Sexual Intellectual Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Somewhere cooler than you Posts: 18,605	I like it at parties, but that's as far as it goes. __________________ Urb's RYM Stuff Most people sell their soul to the devil, but the devil sells his soul to Nick Cave.

02-12-2013, 08:54 AM	#20 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,766	My GF's nephew has autism. When he was younger (about 4 or 5) I noticed him grooving to a tune (I think it was Grand Funk or something similar), and when the guitar solo hit on the high-point or crescendo, his head went back and his eyes squinted as if he were playing it himself. He was genuinely "Feeling It". I knew right then and there that this kid would be musically gifted, and he is. But my point is, taking the title of this thread into context, that some people "Feel It" more than others, mostly because they allow themselves to be more aware of the underlying emotional response that music evokes, and it makes no difference what "Genre" the music is supposed to be categorized in. Yes, people definitely become (or are) what they listen to... some more than others. __________________ See location... Last edited by Plankton; 02-12-2013 at 09:17 AM.

02-12-2013, 08:48 AM	#19 (permalink)
~~James~~ Account Disabled Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Scotland Posts: 4,483	This is an interesting question. I used to totally believe in this, because for a while music was really all that I cared about and I thought it was the most important thing in the world. Now I see otherwise, I don't think your music taste reflects who you are in the slightest. When you first meet someone and they mention they like one of your favourite bands, you initially think "wow, we can totally be friends, this is so exciting" but soon that fades and you realise the person really isn't that great no matter what they like musically. You can't build a relationship on music, just like you can't build a relationship on films, or books or politics. You need to have personalities and outlooks that work together. As for subcultures like emos, metalheads, hipsters, etc. I personally believe that if you base your entire life around the kind of music you like you're probably not that interesting deep down, but of course there are exceptions.