Music playlists are no longer trendy. They have become an expression of our character and who we are. Even, President Obama during his presidency released his playlists for the world to see. The playlists we create are a piercing look into our emotions; emotions that are forever changing but a peek into our mental state, character, and a deep connection to our past, present, and potential future.
Research shows a great deal about the power of music:
1. A person’s musical taste can accurately provide information about their character, including their politics.
2. You love your favorite song because it’s associated with an intense emotional experience in your life.
3. The music you enjoyed when you were 20 will probably be music you love for the rest of your life.
4. Our parents influence the type and our taste in music.
“People who are high on empathy may be preferring a certain type of music compared to people who are more systematic,” said David Greenberg, a University of Cambridge psychologist.
Surprisingly my playlists have remained the same over the years which is why I agree with the statement that the music we listened to in our 20’s is music we will love for the rest of our lives. Music from our past is a connection to our youth. Regardless of the memory we love the music associated with that period in our lives.
Although I believe our taste in music changes over the years, we can be divided into two groups; those who like rules and order, and those who are guided by emotion. Personally, my music taste is solely based on my feelings and how I am feeling. I have noticed, however, that when I am severely depressed I cannot listen to any music. But when I am feeling on cloud nine, I can’t stop listening to music; club (dance) music to be specific.
Just the other day I was tossing and turning and I couldn’t sleep; so I pulled out some old tunes, music from my youth that would always help me sleep. This music used to restore my faith in love, life, and the ability to conquer the world. It was also a time when I listened to more male artists. I realized this is an example that our playlists and our taste in music change over the years. Male singers once dominated my playlists, but that’s no longer the case. I started to question and wonder why that might be the case.
Male artists in the 80’s and early 90’s sang from the heart about love, life, and the magical experiences created through life. Black and white singers during that period all had soul, sang with emotion, and their lyrics were heartfelt and the sounds all had rhythm. Today, male singers don’t deliver or invoke the same type of emotion in their songs.
So let’s hop in a time-machine back to 1987 – 1990 while I share my top 110 favorite male artists that will continue to be a part of my playlists.
