Week 3: Are you what you listen to?

People have become very opinionated about others musical interest. Yes, your musical interest does to an extent tell us something about you. However, it’s amazing how many people seem to use this as a measure of people’s personalities. As Levy (2006, 23) argues, the Ipod is a “potential broadcaster of one’s taste”. However, this does not mean that it defines you to the bone.

Personally, my musical interest and taste is very diverse. My Ipod is filled with everything from beautiful film compositions by Thomas Newman, Hip Hop beats by Missy Elliott, 90’s tracks from Spice Girls (believe it or not) and as I am writing this, I am listening to my favourite electro track  by Deadmau5 & Kaskade. You might state an opinion about me based on my taste in music, but it does not define who I am.  

As soon as Justin Biebers “Baby”  is played in public, people hesitate to sing along, although they know the lyrics by heart. God forbid if anyone thought you were a Bieber fan with a passion for bubblegum pop.  

Levy (2006, 23) argues how “playlist is character.” Does that mean heavy metal fans are angry, depressed and high on cocaine just because that might be your association to that genre? Are we attention seekers and irresponsible if we listen to Miley Cyrus?  There are  few people that can be pegged into a genre based on what they listen to of music, as today’s vast access to music and downloading has enabled people to listen to artists from A to Z.

And yes, I know Bieber’s “Baby” by heart and you might as well admit that you do too.



Taste in music



References:

BestSoundTracker. 2010. “American Beauty Sondtrack (American Beauty).” YouTube video, posted January 19, 2010. Accessed March 20,2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al21Vtlsg4A

Emi. 2009. “Spice Girl – Wannabe.” YouTube video, posted March 6, 2009. Accessed March 20,2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJLIiF15wjQ

JustinBieberVEVO. 2010. “Justin Bieber – Baby ft. Ludacris.” YouTube video, posted February 19,2010. Accessed March 20,2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kffacxfA7G4

Levy, S. 2006. The perfect thing: how the iPod shuffles commerce, culture and coolness. Simon & Schuster: New York. pp. 21-41.

MYNCFYLM. 2009. “Deadmau5 FT. Kaskade – I Remember.” YouTube video, posted February 15, 2009. Accessed March 20,2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Xo8At6XEqE&feature=related

nataliedee. n.d "taste-in-music". Image. Accessed March 21, 2011. http://www.nataliedee.com/072205/taste-in-music.jpg