Do you choose music according to your moods? Or will any music do?

United States
May 25, 2009 9:12pm CST
I think music is one the beautiful things in life available to us. I do choose what to listen to according to my mood. If I am sad, for instance, I might listen to sad songs as a way to express how I am feeling. Songs often say it better than I can. Or, I might choose "happy" music to try to chase away the sadness. Peppy music is good for when I'm cleaning house, and relaxing music for when I am feeling tense. How about you? Do you choose music according to your moods? Or doesn't that play a role? If it does, what music do you listen to, depending on your mood?Karen
5 people like this
36 responses
• India
26 May 09
Yes. I choose music according to my mood. Any music can please me when I'm in a happy mood. When I'm so depressed, divine music helps me a lot. In times of worries, patriotic songs, and a traditional music of India(Chendai Melam) help me come out of it!
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 09
What I listen to depends on my moood and what I'm doing at the time. House cleaning takes a different type of music then doing a painting . Or a party takes a different type then relaxing in the hammock with a iced tea. If you are swimming in the pool on a hot summer day , you don't listen to the same music you listen to on a rainy afternoon.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 09
Jevin, I do the same. Either the music reflects my mood, or I choose a type to change my mood. : ) Karen
• United States
26 May 09
Beachstarz, I agree. Certain kinds of music just seem to go better with certain moods and activities than other kinds : ) I pick accordingly, as you do. Karen
• Spain
6 Oct 09
Yes, definitely choose the music I play depending on my mood. Whenever I feel sad or heartbroken, I seek for love songs so I can cry my heart out and somehow relieve the pain I feel. Whenever I am happy, I play pop, rap, rnb and disco songs and I sing my heart out. That goes with rock and alternative music. And when I feel sleepy, I play Mozart and other classical songs I have on my laptop. It never rails to put me to sleep.
• United States
6 Oct 09
Hi Mathilda. I choose music a lot like you...sometimes to reflect my mood; other times to change it from down and out to more cheerful. Love songs help when we're heartbroken. The words say what we're feeling and bring the needed crying out. And classical is indeed a good relaxer :) Thank you for sharing your preferences. Karen
• United States
26 May 09
I listen to a variety of music. When I walk upbeat music keeps my pace. In the car, 80's music or soundtracks. They are easier to sing along with. Classical when I'm relaxing. When I'm sad I try not to listen to sad songs. For some reason they just don't work for me. I try big band music or something to lift my spirits. Disco music when I want to dance around the house. I won't listen to rap or country. I just don't get into it.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 09
Your reasons for choosing a particular kind of music for particular activities really resonates with me. I do the same, and from this discussion, so do many others. What would we do without our music? I imagine we'd invent it. Karen
@larish (2213)
• Philippines
23 Jul 09
I play music depending on my moods. If I am so down, I prefer to listen to religious song (I am a Catholic) or love songs. If I am elated, I go for dance music and RnB. I am too lazy to go to work, I listen to rock music to let my mind work. I am a believer that music can affect our moods. Happy myloting.
• United States
6 Oct 09
Ack! I missed this response, Larish, so please excuse my late reply! Religious and love songs are a wonderful way to cheer or encourage oneself, and yes, there is nothing quite like celebrating a good mood with dance music or rhythm and blues. Like you, I firmly believe music greatly impacts our moods! Karen
@pickoy (733)
• Philippines
26 May 09
Yes it really depends on the mood... When i'm irritated and under huge amount pressure, i love Rock music, it helps me feel liberated. When I'm happy i like pop, RNB and Rap, its cool to dance with the music... when I'm sad, I'm not sure why I still go with Barry Manilow songs, lol... sad songs that will relate to how I feel at that moment. Music is a part of life, it would be really boring not to have it around...
• United States
26 May 09
So you add to your ability to express how you feel by playing music that will do that. : ) Great response! Karen
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Oct 09
My mood does mandate what I decide to listen to. When I am sad or blue a good love song usually is in order. If I am happy I tend to listen to country or pop music. I find that I like a variety of different types of music and since I am such a moody person I usually have plenty of opportunities to listen to all the beautiful music that I love. Barbara
• United States
6 Oct 09
Hi Barbara :) Welcome to MyLot, and thank you for responding to this discussion. You treat music much as I do...for the kind I wish to hear varies greatly with my moods, and they also vary often! I keep all kinds on hand and enjoy something from any genre. Have a nice week! Karen
@alokn99 (5717)
• India
26 May 09
Most of the time i'm listeneing to music on the radio, especially when driving. As such i do not get to choose the kind of music. But when i do get to listen to music on my own, then i normally choose the type of song depending on my mood.
• United States
26 May 09
The radio offers variety, though. There are some stations I like more than others, depending on the type of music. And like you, when I have the option, I pick what suits my mood. I do keep some favorite Cds in the car. : ) I appreciate you responding to the discussion. Karen
@mimpi1911 (25464)
• India
26 May 09
Hi Karen! I think music has been therapeutic in my life all through. when I am down and blue I will still want Blues to be played. My mom thinks that enhances the sadness.I feel, its good for I can live the bout completely and its over after a period of time. While doing chores or washing I prefer peppy and fast numbers. That kind of expedite the things to a great extent. During festivals I love some festive music and so on.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 09
Hi Mim : ) I, too, believe music to be therapeutic. Like you, sad music can help me fully express a sadness and get all the way through it. And then other times, I let the music reflect the happiness I am feeling or add to my energy level. Thank you for responding. Karen
1 person likes this
• Philippines
26 May 09
No, I don't choose "according" to my mood. I usually listen to rock, emo, alternative, jazz, and instrumental music. Rock music fires me up. It's like giving me a positive energy. I like listen to jazz music because it's kind make my body sway. 'Doesn't matter if I'm sad, happy or mad. I like listening to music.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 09
It sounds as though, yes, you just love music, especially the up-beat kind. : ) Music does help each day and night go better. Karen
• China
26 May 09
i don't know why i am only like listening to the old song and always thought that the old song is best,i took few time to listen new song or pop song,i always choose those old song to sing when we were in ktv and the song of the style were sad tune.lol:)is it strange for me ?
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 09
No, that isn't strange at all. I believe that our youth is probably the most carefree time in our life, so it makes sense to go back to the music we loved then. It makes us remember how good we felt at the time, and helps us feel better even now. : )
@kat_lane (166)
• United States
26 May 09
I actually really love just listening to anything. At anytime. No matter what my mood, I seriously don't care. XD
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 09
So you are a music lover. Period. And that is great! Music is a blessing. I do not dislike all of any genre. There is some good music in each one. Thank you for responding to the discussion. : ) Karen
@divkris (1156)
• India
26 May 09
The type of music i listen will vastly depend on my mood. If i'm stressed i love listening to music rap or jazz and when i'm at a peacful state of mind i love soft songs.Well my all time favorites are lie Frozen from Madonna and Whenever Wherever of Shakira and a few regional songs :)
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 09
I think this is why most people have such a wide variety of music. It's to suit or change our moods. I like Madonna, too, and Evanescence, and a million others. Thank you for your input : ) Karen
@wendywhy (64)
• United States
26 May 09
I love music. When I am in the car I almost feel like I can't breathe if I don't have music playing. I choose my music for the way I want to feel. If I am sad I listen to peppy or inspirational music to cheer me up. This especially helps when I don't feel like exercising because I can't not move when I hear certain songs.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 09
I agree! Some music just begs us to move. It works that way even with toddlers and babies. Thank you for the input : ) Karen
@thebri (38)
• Philippines
26 May 09
Yes...that's why it's hard to tell what genre of music i really like best... When I'm in a good mood I would like to listen to RnB, mellow, acoustic, rock..but when I'm in a bad mood most of the time rock music and usually the songs of Simple Plan in their debut album.. It really goes into my head and my self absorbs it..
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 09
This is why I am glad there are so many genres. Like you, I can never pick just one : ) Karen
• United States
14 Jun 09
I choose music by my mood too.But I can sing a good song that happens to be sad when I am happy. my favorite song to play on the guitar is a little sad but i love to play it .When I am tense, I go straight to metal. a little Metallica and I am not tense anymore.when I am sad, really sad, I don't listen to music at all.
• United States
14 Jun 09
You play the guitar...ah, how wonderful! Like you, when I am terribly sad, I just listen to silence, as nothing but time seems to lift it. Metal is great for working out anger! Thank you for responding. Karen
1 person likes this
@padu19 (1441)
• India
26 May 09
It definitely depends on my mood.. When I am happy I listen to fast beats music. When I am alone, I prefer melodies. I keep enjoying each and every word of the lyrics(especially romantic songs!) when am alone. Sometimes, even the instrumental tracks will do good. When I am actually in a mood to 'dance', I play English albums with fast beats and turn my music system as loud as possible.. But in whatever mood or temper I am, I can transform my mood to normal by listening to appropriate music. Anyway, good discussion!! :-)
• United States
26 May 09
I do think music acts as a sort of mirror at times and reflects our moods back to us. At other times, it is a great "counselor" and can change our mood to a better one. Thank you for responding! Karen
1 person likes this
@padu19 (1441)
• India
27 May 09
You're right!!! And, thanks for 'BR'.. :-)
@nanayangel (7879)
• Philippines
26 May 09
Hi there! I generally like RnB but I also listen to different kinds of music depending upon my mood. When I'm happy or when I feel down, I listen to RnB to magnify my happiness or to lift my moods up. When I feel like reminiscing, I listen to old songs, the ones that I grew up listening to, mostly rock, metal and some pop. When I am overwhelmed with love and wants to add even more sweetness to it, I listen to ballads. And when I'm just hanging out with my younger cousins and sisters, some pop/rock band music is what we listen to.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 09
I love the choices with which you've matched your moods. R&B is great, using it just as you described. And nothing magnifies love like a great ballad. Thank you for responding : ) Karen
• Netherlands
1 Jun 09
I definitely listen to certain types of music according to what mood I am in. If I feel lovey dovey then out come the romantic tunes, sad? sad tunes, happy then happy tunes, feel like a real rebel then hard head banging music. Fortunately for me I happen to like so many different types of music that it is easy for me when I'm in a certain mood!
• United States
2 Jun 09
I do the same, and you're right. Loving many kinds of music is a definite plus in matching music to our moods. Thank you for responding. Karen
@mama_bear (1118)
• Canada
26 May 09
i have music that motivates me all the way from the time that i get out of bed all the way through the day. i have music that i play on my ipod when i am cooking, then some travel music when i run errands and there is also music that i play when i am working. most of it is metal, sometimes my moods do influence what i listen to. if i am sad i listen to melancholic music to match my mood.
• United States
26 May 09
Different music for different parts of your day--I like that. And sometimes the melancholic music helps us express when we feel sad. I do that, too. : ) Karen
@mama_bear (1118)
• Canada
27 May 09
ha ha yeah, the more high energy music gets me through the rough parts of the day. i do love the heavier stuff when i am cooking ha ha.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 09
I'm a lover of all sorts of music... but you are right. Sometimes I listen to a form of music depending on how I'm feeling. For the most part I am a country and r&b fan, so that's my music of choice when I'm feeling chill or if I'm in the car. But sometimes, when I'm excited or frustrated about something, I'll break out my dad's old heavy metal collection and turn the volume up to 10 with things like Metallica or Slayer. It helps me unwind because when I'm listening to heavy music, it takes out some inner aggressions (usually I'm singing along or moving to it) and it creates an outlet to some extra energy I have. Sometimes though, I will pop in some slow music or easy listening, but only if I'm doing homework or trying to sleep. It helps me concentrate better.
• United States
26 May 09
You've proven my therapy that for many of us, music is great therapy, a great extension of how we express ourselves. Thank you for your input.
• United States
26 May 09
LOL, "proven my theory"....My fingers work faster than my brain!