CI 5472: Music Preferences

Okay, I would have to say that my music preferences depend almost completely on either my current activity or the mood I am in at the time. When I am driving I enjoy songs that I can sing along with at the top of my lungs, when I am studying I enjoy listening to classical music (or musical compositions from film soundtracks), when I am cleaning I like listening to songs that are upbeat, and when I am working out I love listening to hard-rock or something with a fast and loud beat. When I am sad, I listen to slow, soft folk songs; when I am happy, I love listening to country, pop, or rock songs; when I am angry, I go back to my hard rock-songs...etc. That being said, I am also influenced by music a lot. There are certain songs with lyrics that literally bring tears to my eyes, others that make me laugh, some that make me shout. I guess, in general, I listen to music either to help me express the mood I am in, to try and create the right mood for a desired activity, or simply because I want that music to evoke a specific emotion in me.

If you were to glance through my playlist on iTunes you would find country, folk, rock, alternative, bluegrass, classical, oldies, metal, pop, and some rap. Sometimes it is the lyrics that pull me in and other times it is the beat that hooks me. When it comes to musical instruments, I am a sucker for banjos, harmonicas, orchestras, and pianos in songs. I love it when a beat or melody can pull me into a song and make me forget myself. Most of my music would fall into either alternative/folk rock or country--alternative rock keeps me pumped and country makes me smile. The Kooks are one of my favorite bands. I saw them live at the Fineline Music Cafe a couple of years ago and they were amazing! What I loved their concert was how intense and powerful the live versions of their songs were. I also think it is worth mentioning that went through a major Beatles phase between 4th-7th grade. I listened to their albums driving from Baltimore to Yellowstone and back in fifth grade and that is all we listened to.

When I was fifteen I got both the Jimmy Eat World album Bleed American and a car for Christmas. I put that CD in and went driving around my hometown on Christmas Eve and hearing that album always makes me think about that night. I can remember everything about that night--from what I wore to where I went to every single time I stalled (it was a standard car and I had never driven one before). I also associate songs with different people in my life, for example, "There Goes My Life" by Kenny Chesney makes me think of my Dad, and "Son's Gonna Rise" by Citizen Cope makes me think of my friend Kait.

It is hard to pick one song to encapsulate my music preferences because they are so varied and depend so much on the moment, but, because I mentioned the Kooks and how great they are, I thought I would talk about the song "Come on Down." I like the old rock, bluesy quality of the guitars and the simplicity of the lyrics--a few "sha la la la la la's" never hurt anyone.

Come on down love,
I've come to see you
Cause I am down, love
Only when I'm with you
When I'm with you
When I'm with you
When I'm with you
I feel fine
I lose my mind
I feel fine

Oh yes but you have the most beautiful...

Here I am love
I've come to be with you
Cause I get lost now
When I'm not around you

When I'm with you
When I'm with you
When I'm with you i feel fine
I lose my mind
I feel fine

Oh yes but you have the most wonderful...
Sha la la la la la
Sha la la la la la
Sha la la la la la
Sha la la la la la
Sha la la la la la
Sha la la la la la
Sha la la la la la
Sha la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la la la
Sha la la la la la

When I'm with you
When I'm with you
When I'm with you
I feel fine
And I lose my mind
I feel fine

Oh yes and you have the most beautiful mind.

Simple, sweet, upbeat, and bluesy...perfect.