Do you listen to music that matches your mood? Or to change your mood?
By The Horse
@TheHorse (218437)
Walnut Creek, California
December 1, 2015 11:30am CST
This post grew out of a conversation I am having with @yalul070 in the Comments section of one of her posts. She said (more or less) that she listens to happy music when she's feeling down, because it picks her up. I said that I listen to music that matches my mood, because it "validates" the way I'm feeling, or inspires me further.
If I'm feeling sad, or missing someone, I might listen to a sad Country song, or maybe a lilting Irish song, and wallow in my sadness for awhile. If I'm feeling underappreciated and kind of "martyrly," I might listen to Handel's Messiah or a Bach Cantata. If I'm feeling some attitude, and want to "save the world" or just get stuff done, I might listen to Gil-Scott Heron's "The Revolution Will Not be Televised." Or maybe an up-beat Grateful Dead tune.
When I'm feeling "intellectual," and grading papers, I listen to classical or jazz.
Do you listen to music that matches your mood? Or do you try to find music that will change your mood? One music and psychology scholar (Daniel Levitin, who wrote "This is Your Brain on Music") suggests that "matching" is best, but I'm curious about what most people do in the real world.
32 people like this
37 responses
@TheHorse (218437)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Dec 15
Sometimes a certain kind of music won't work for me. For example,when I'm on the way to a softball game, I want to have some attitude. So I'll play Hendrix's Voodoo Child (Slight Return). That wouldn't be a time for Handel's Messiah. If I'm grading papers, Hendrix wouldn't work. I'll go to Pat Metheny or Keith Jarrett (jazz). If I'm missing someone, I'll go to some sad Country Music.
1 person likes this
@Juliothemadpoet (90)
• Bangalore, India
1 Dec 15
@Asylum I never tried opera before. It never came to my mind. but now that you say... I am curious. Thanks.
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@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
4 Mar 16
this popped up on a sidebar, and I had to pop by and comment, I have a sad day playlist, for songs that help me feel better.
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@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
24 Apr 16
@TheHorse depends, sometimes I need upbeat, but often when depressed, moody songs make me feel better, rather like cleaning a wound, gotta let some of the angst out
@TheHorse (218437)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Dec 15
@Juliothemadpoet There are a few people doing "new" things out there, but they're certainly not in the mainstream.
@Juliothemadpoet (90)
• Bangalore, India
2 Dec 15
@norcal You are right. But the more the darkness, the more precious is the light. Another quote!!!!
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@birjudanak (14320)
• India
1 Dec 15
its very nice question because if i have lots of music i will change the music till my mood not set but if i have only few music so i will change my mood according to music.
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@birjudanak (14320)
• India
1 Dec 15
@TheHorse yes what music available at that time ,so i have option then i can shuffle them.
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@TheHorse (218437)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Dec 15
@birjudanak Right now, as I relax before lunch, I'm listening to classical.
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@dorianna (509)
• United States
2 Dec 15
Oddly, though I may not listen to sad music deliberately each time, it depends on the extent of my ruefulness. For example: there are times when I just want/need to let the sad out. On those rare occasions I will play music that matches my mood to let the tears out and heal. Most of the time, however, I like to put on upbeat songs to get me out of the funk.
When I study I like to listen to quiet instrumental music. If I do not have music in the background I have difficulty concentrating.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218437)
• Walnut Creek, California
2 Dec 15
It may be similar for me. If I'm on the cusp, I'll listen to something thoughtful (jazz or classical) and get stuff done. But if I'm missing someone, I might just go down sad Country lane and listen to "Go Rest High Upon that Mountain" by Vince Gill.
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@marguicha (222737)
• Chile
23 Apr 16
I like music that will get me in a better mood when I´m down. I don´t like to be down.
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@marguicha (222737)
• Chile
23 Apr 16
@TheHorse As I live alone, I don´t like to get into depressive moods. But I have found different kinds of music depending on suble mood changes
@crossbones27 (49376)
• Mojave, California
2 Dec 15
Most of the time I listen to songs that match the mood.Now and then I need to listen to a more positive song or album to get me out of a funk sometimes, if you know what I mean.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (49376)
• Mojave, California
2 Dec 15
@TheHorse Funny, but Blues music does not really make me blue. It actually motivates me for some reason. Especially when it is a funky up beat tempo.
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@TheHorse (218437)
• Walnut Creek, California
2 Dec 15
@crossbones27 Blues music can have some enjoyable double entendres in it. I love Koko Taylor for that reason. "My meat man he's a sweet man/brings me steaks all night long..."
@LeaPea2417 (37349)
• Toccoa, Georgia
1 Dec 15
Yes, I do tend to listen to music that is like the mood that I am in.
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@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
1 Dec 15
Hum, good question. I listen to country music so whatever songs are playing that's what I listen to. I don't play music much in the house - mostly in the car or outside.
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@TheHorse (218437)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Dec 15
Got it. I sometimes listen to a song on YouTube while working at my computer (if I don't have the stereo going). That's when I'll go for a sad Country song (like Everything that Glitters is not Gold) if I'm feeling sad or lonely.
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@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
1 Dec 15
@TheHorse I don't often feel sad or lonely, which I'm thankful for.
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@TheHorse (218437)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Dec 15
@AbbyGreenhill That's a good thing. Around the Holidays, I often miss relatives and friends that aren't around any more.
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
1 Dec 15
I listen to music to either think or to relax.
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@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
2 Dec 15
@TheHorse My work music is Mozart, but now you mentioned miles davis, I will check him out. Anything with a piano works better for me, cos I type of the rhythm. Relax I listen to chill out session by kygo or any sax oriented music. I only listen to it when am under pressure to solve complex issues.
@norcal (4889)
• Franklinton, North Carolina
1 Dec 15
I usually listen to KVMR, my local eclectic radio station. It plays such a wide variety of music, you might hear any genre there. Sometimes it fits, sometimes it doesn't. Unless I am hosting some kind of gathering, I rarely select music to listen to.
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@Juliothemadpoet (90)
• Bangalore, India
1 Dec 15
I listen to music to 'steady' my mood and control my thoughts.
Sometimes I listen to classic music to think and create, as well as blues, soft rock, alternative rock and so on. But if i want to get deep into my thoughts when they are too confusing or turbulent, I will up the scale and beat untill i finally reach the top, that ranges from deathcore to melodic deathcore or higher, untill it gets stable and I get the clear picture, and then I naturally come down.
If I am sad I just listen to Dave matthews band, (Pay for what you get), or BLK JKS (Standby and Cursor) or Blue October. When I want to have fun, I go for german bands as J.B.O and Die Artze or Rammstein.
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@TheHorse (218437)
• Walnut Creek, California
1 Dec 15
@Juliothemadpoet I assume they sing in German?
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@Juliothemadpoet (90)
• Bangalore, India
1 Dec 15
@TheHorse OHHH they are the three legendary German bands. They are really funny, specially JBO, Rammstein is more of a rock thing, and Die Artze is more of 'educational' rock. But there is another, Die toten hosen, that is actually really good also.
If you find me in the street, I will be carrying a headphones. I am hard-wired to music since i was 13. Just look at my picture. Music is my second blood. hahhahaha. That's the why of the 'diverse taste'.
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@cmoneyspinner (9219)
• Austin, Texas
18 Apr 16
I listen to music that matches my mood and that can change my mood. But mainly, the end goal of any music I'm listening to is for uplifting my spirit.
Link to interesting article.
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/brain-and-behavior/articles/2008/07/17/music-as-medicine-for-the-brain
@nanette64 (20364)
• Fairfield, Texas
2 Dec 15
I love all kinds of music (except for head-banger and hip-hop) @TheHorse , but any time of the day or night; regardless of mood, I love something to dance to. The 50's, Jazz, Big Band; I am boogie-woogian around the house. My cats think I have lost my mind.
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@Rohvannyn (3098)
• United States
4 Mar 16
I will do both, depending on the mood, and what I'm doing. I will also sometimes listen to music that adds to my current mood, like good heavy metal when I'm exercising.
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@danicapaige (30)
• Bloomington, Illinois
19 Feb 16
I listen to music to change my mood most of the time. If i am sad, i listen to something i know will brighten my spirits. My go to is worship music because it can cure any mood. Crying out to Jesus with my love of music is something i truly love.
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