The music I listen to - what does it say about me?

I am entirely convinced that music effects the person that you are. Whether it’s a conscious decision, or an inevitable side-effect, I am certain that the music you listen to can often affect the way you behave, the mood you find yourself in, and the way you react in different situations.

Growing up, alongside the usual nursery rhymes and children’s songs, I listened to bands like Blondie and The Ramones, most of which I still listen to today. Other than a continuous appreciation of punk, I can’t help but wonder if it had an effect on my behaviour. I’m aware that I’ve always had an argumentative nature, and an unceasing need to stand up for myself, and others if necessary, an element commonly associated with punk music. Has this contributed to how I am, or is it a coincidental part of my nature, or just an attitude I’ve acquired from somewhere else?

Other than the songs themselves, music can create a definite sense of belonging. As many people find, particularly in their teenage years, I’ve sometimes found myself searching for somewhere in which I think I ‘belong’. Many bands, in particular ones big enough to employ a crafty army of marketers and PR personnel, create an image for themselves, alongside a set of ‘beliefs’ embedded in their music, that they reiterate at any given opportunity. This creates something for people to believe in. If they can’t create their own opinions, why not agree with someone else? In some ways, I think it adopts the same principals as a religion.

It’s human nature to want to feel that we belong, and to follow the behaviour of the people around us, but in the case of music, I think this is only a positive thing to a certain extent. I found myself a year or so ago, having to drastically change the music I listened to. Music that triggers emotions, is the music that is successful, but I found that the punk-style music I was listening to, was dragging my mood down to the point of unbearable. It was although the music had control over me, rather than myself having control over the music. Linking this to the essay title, what does the music really say about me? Originally, it showed my independent attitude towards life, and generally, my dislike of authority, but eventually it started to not only show who I was, but change who I was.

More recently, the music I listen to has changed. I made a conscious decision to favour happier, more positive music – I think it is now a more honest representation of who I am. It’s unavoidable to make judgements of people, which include judgements based on music taste. Due to the nature of many punk songs, it’s inevitable that people must make judgements about me. Perhaps wondering the reasoning behind why I listen to it. Overall, I think having a more balanced music taste is better, not only because of the way it can portray you, but to ensure it doesn’t have a too drastic effect on your life.