OK..so I am "technically late". But then again, I usually am. It is still Sunday to me, seeing as though I haven't gone to bed yet. It's just the topic made me think SO much that I couldn't quite come up with what I wanted to say.
So on to the discussion...
Is there a difference between "Name one band that you listen to when you're upset" and "Name one band that you listen to when you want to feel good"? Topics can and should include examples of artists and situations, and the general topic could easily transgress into what are your favorite bands for the proposed questions. Ops are encouraged to reply to any previous responses before theirs. Multiple responses are welcomed.
Well, I guess the immediate thought that popped into my skull when I read this was, "Do I choose what I listen to based on my mood?" After all, shouldn't I listen to a certain band when I am upset, and the same band when I want to feel good? Isn't the whole point of music to make you feel better? I had never really thought about it. After all, I seem to be somewhat bummed more than not, and I wasn't quite sure how that impacted my musical choices. So the last week, I did a little study. I kept a little journal, and in it I listed what I listened to and my general mood. Keep in mind that I am usually listening to XM Radio, so I have a near-endless set of choices anytime I am driving.
A sampling of my notes (I'm too lazy to clean this up pretty for you.):
Monday PM- Mood- Bummed (going back to work). Music: Ethel(Alt. rock)- Audioslave. What a great band...Cornell backed by RATM. Damn. :)
Tuesday AM (after work)- Mood: Tired. Music: Dave Matthews Band CD Live at Folsom Field (Commentary prevention: Hey screw you- I've been a fan since '94!!).
Wednesday PM (To Mom's for free meal!!) Mood: Hungry but happy. Music: The Rhyme ('80s Rap) Band: NWA- Straight outta Compton. Getting jiggy while driving is hazardous.
Friday PM- (Back to Work)- Mood: Chilled. Music: More Ethel Band:Queens of the Stone Age. Grohl on drums again.
Sunday day- (Cleaning the house)- Mood: Content. Music: DMB again..this time Folsom Field DVD.
So in a nut shell, I tended to find myself playing more upbeat dancing type music when happy, and harder, heavier music when down. Also, I found that when tired, I tending to lower the volume a little and settle on something a little more in tune with my mood. But in all, all the music made me feel better than I did prior to turning it on. Period. If it didn't make me feel better, I changed the channel.
I guess my little experiment proved to me that my mood does affect my listening choices/ habits. Granted, this was a small sampling, and is probably as much affected by other environmental influences as by my mood. So don't turn this in to any science journals. It is really piss poor research.
-BE
PS I was supposed to respond to previous posts too...and I didn't. Sorry 'bout that. Well...I guess what I am typing below could be a response.
Hey BASIK- I saw DJ Shadow last wkend in concert. Jealous???? ;)
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