Your Personality and Your Music

[zakkrusz]

I'm reminded lately of an issue I was curious about. When I've discussed music with people and tell them I prefer rock and metal they are often surprised and didn't seem to think it fit my personality since I'm the quiet, friendly, book worm type. They seemed to think I'd be more into something more mellow like classical, not that I don't listen to a bit of that too....

I was curious if you think your favorite music or it's lyrical contents fits your personality or if it is contrary to it. Do you get similar comments from people or is it just me? Anyone know any interesting psychological studies on the subject or care to speculate or discuss?

 

[Steve Roby]

Not sure how to vote on this one, but it's an interesting question. When I was younger, I was definitely the nerdy bookworm type and looked it, so it did surprise some people that I was into punk and new wave in a big way. Heck, not just then, either. My tastes in music didn't always strike people as being very librarianlike.

Likewise, as much as I currently love, for example, dubstep, if I went to a club for a DJ's dubstep set, I expect I'd stick out like a sore thumb. Most dubstep fans seem to be in their early 20s and go for a hipster or urban look. I'm 46 and probably look like I should be at some classic/progressive rock concert.

 

[Mr Light]

I guess it is contrary, since my two favorite bands are Tori Amos (for suicidal goth teen girls) and Bad Religion (punk rock band) and I'm a straight male goofball.

 

[Brent]

I pretty much live what you'd think I'd listen to, I'm a geek, and I love techno, gimmie my glow sticks

While that is quite broad, I do like other types of music as well, but electronic musics is my favorites, there are sub genres under that I prefer

 

[Steve Roby]

I guess it is contrary, since my two favorite bands are Tori Amos (for suicidal goth teen girls) and Bad Religion (punk rock band) and I'm a straight male goofball.

You're definitely not the only straight guy to like Tori Amos. For that matter, you're not the only person to like both Tori Amos and Bad Religion.

 

[Nerys Myk]

I'm known as a laidback quiet guy. Mr Mellow. But with a sharp and quck sense of humor. A lot a people do a double take when make with a joke.

Music: Mostlyfrom the 60s and 80s. Big fan of both British Invasions. New Wave, Punk, Mod, psychedelic, ska and Bruce Springsteen.

Not sure if those connect or contrast.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

Not really sure. I listen to a lot of indie music. I can be quiet in life, and rather witty at times.

 

[iguana_tonante]

Yes. Bookworm, science-y, nerdy type here too. Punk, heavy metal, ska and psychedelic rock are my tastes in music. People usually think I would more a jazz kinda guy (which I like, but less than my previous choices)

 

[Nerdius Maximus]

I'm reminded lately of an issue I was curious about. When I've discussed music with people and tell them I prefer rock and metal they are often surprised and didn't seem to think it fit my personality since I'm the quiet, friendly, book worm type. They seemed to think I'd be more into something more mellow like classical, not that I don't listen to a bit of that too....

I was curious if you think your favorite music or it's lyrical contents fits your personality or if it is contrary to it. Do you get similar comments from people or is it just me? Anyone know any interesting psychological studies on the subject or care to speculate or discuss?

People do tend to think that because I listen to certain types of music that I'm somehow prohibited from listening to others.

 

[Mr Light]

You're definitely not the only straight guy to like Tori Amos.

I dunno, I went to a Tori Amos concert back in 2003 and it certainly looked like I was the only straight guy there

 

[Geckothan]

I voted "not sure", cause I've got no idea. Other people see me as "quiet", "reclusive" and "shy", but that's not my real personality, that's just how I behave. I'm actually quite extroverted but I'm too worried about what people think of me to act like it, I'm still quite calm/mellowed out though even when I'm being extroverted. I'm not really that nerdy even though I have a few nerdy interests/hobbies. My musical preferences are prog rock/prog metal, jazz fusion and strange fusions of both of those things (early Zappa). I enjoy most forms of jazz, some funk and some psychedelic rock, but they're not what I usually listen to. I despise blues rock (generic pentatonic wankery and grating vocals are like chalkboard scratching to me, with the exception of a handful of groups), indie, most rap, and most electronic music.

 

[cultcross]

I'm reminded lately of an issue I was curious about. When I've discussed music with people and tell them I prefer rock and metal they are often surprised and didn't seem to think it fit my personality since I'm the quiet, friendly, book worm type. They seemed to think I'd be more into something more mellow like classical, not that I don't listen to a bit of that too....

I'm the same, so I'd say 'yes' - but I think this has more to do with the impression rock and metal gets in general. That those who dress up in black and have tatoos and lots of piercings are troublemakers, extroverts, angry, or something else alogn those lines - in fact, I'd say the genre tends to attract geeks like us.

People do tend to think that because I listen to certain types of music that I'm somehow prohibited from listening to others.

Yeah, that irritates me too.

 

[Steve Roby]

You're definitely not the only straight guy to like Tori Amos.

I dunno, I went to a Tori Amos concert back in 2003 and it certainly looked like I was the only straight guy there

Never seen Tori live, but one time my wife, my best friend, and I went to see a Scrappy Bitches show. It's Veda Hille, Oh Susannah, and Kinnie Starr taking turns doing their songs and sometimes collaborating. Veda's worked with a friend of my best friend's and I have a couple of her CDs, as well as an Oh Susannah CD. I think my friend and I were the only guys there, and my wife was probably the only straight woman there. Small club, but it was packed.

People do tend to think that because I listen to certain types of music that I'm somehow prohibited from listening to others.

Yep. Variety is a good thing.

 

[zakkrusz]

I'm the same, so I'd say 'yes' - but I think this has more to do with the impression rock and metal gets in general. That those who dress up in black and have tatoos and lots of piercings are troublemakers, extroverts, angry, or something else alogn those lines - in fact, I'd say the genre tends to attract geeks like us.

Yeah, that could be. Although I do dress in black a lot because it's one of my favorite colors and I own a leather coat, no piercings, tattoos, or anger management issues though.

 

[Amaris]

My personality is too complex to ascribe it to just one type of music. It's why I can listen to Dimmu Borgir, James Taylor and Strauss in the same sitting and be perfectly content.

J.

 

[The Boy Who Cried Worf]

I guess it is contrary, since my two favorite bands are Tori Amos (for suicidal goth teen girls) and Bad Religion (punk rock band) and I'm a straight male goofball.

You're definitely not the only straight guy to like Tori Amos. For that matter, you're not the only person to like both Tori Amos and Bad Religion.

I'm a straight guy and I would gladly sprinkle rose petals and aromatic oils at Tori Amos' feet while her music plays from the clouds.

Bad Religion I can pas on.

Yeah i'd say my personality matches most of my music. I am kind of nerdy and erudite and emotionless so I like a lot of technically proficient prog and jazz music. Then again I like speed metal too. But I am kind of highly neurotic so maybe that fits too.

 

[Zulu Romeo]

I wasn't aware that certain personalities were supposed to be associated exclusively with certain types of music.

To me, there is no boundary to listening to the sort of music that my personality says I am supposed to enjoy and not enjoy.