How you think of your own music taste?

[bell242]

I was wandering what people thought about their own tatse in music. Do you think that you're taste is 'cool', 'uncool' or sophisticated / intellectual. Do you care more about being branded cool or being branded intellectual? Also what makes you like the music of your taste? Do you think it relates to your personality and identity?

Anyone have any ideas or know any theories on musical taste?

[WaldoMcFroog]

Is being intellectual the opposite of cool, then? What if you were into Cliff Richard, Val Doonican and Richard Clayderman - hardly intellectual!

I listen to plenty of bands that would probably be considered pretty with it in some circles (Radiohead, Mew, U2, Kate Bush) a lot of bands that most people have probably never heard of (Pure Reason Revolution, Porcupine Tree, Opeth), a lot of bands that most people might have heard of but would probably say were desperate uncool (Marillion, Billy Joel, Talk Talk)

[WaldoMcFroog]

Pants - didn't mean to submit there!

My point is that regardless of which category any of that might fit into, I don't listen to it because it's 'cool', or 'not cool' or whatever. I listen to it because I get an emotional reaction out of listening to it. I suppose the only thing you could say, is that I wouldn't not listen to something because it's 'not cool'.

I suppose most people tend to be more conservative in their tastes when they're younger, even if they're conservative within a genre (ie. if you listen to death metal, one probably wouldn't also listen to Madonna). As one gets older, one generally needs less peer acceptance and becomes more likely to listen to music because one enjoys it.

[littleoldme]

I think my tastes are quite cool for a 37 year old (which I am) in that I don't go for the old Radio 2 "cosy" stalwarts like Phil Collins, Tina Turner or Simply Red, nor their younger equivalents like David Gray, Katie Melua or The Corrs. A 17 year old would probably think I was quite uncool though - I'm not into rap or so-called R&B, boy or girl bands, heavy metal, or dance music. If I must pigeonhole, I tend to like rock that doesn't take itself too seriously (for example, Foo Fighters rather than, say, Nickleback), indie stuff and Americana as long as it's not too country. Basically, a look through an issue of Uncut magazine will give you an idea, although I also listen to several other types of music too. As far as I'm concerned, there are only two pigeonholes - music I like, and music I don't.

Some of what I like makes the charts (Kaiser Chiefs, Snow Patrol, Green Day etc), but most of it doesn't. Nothing particularly intellectual in my choice - I go for melody-based music over rhythm-based, I like lyrics that are intelligent, witty or at least meaningful, and tunes with ruddy great singalong choruses that make me want to bounce.

And no, I don't care whether that makes me seem cool or not. Good question, BTW. :-)

[donegal]

I think my taste in music is cool.

bands i like are

u2, the beatles, rory gallagher,the killers, coldplay, oasis (first 2 albums), elvis,bob marlay, thin lizzy, john lennon, paul mccarteny,the undertones, snow partol, bruce springsteen,the cardigans

[OBonio]

Well rounded. Like my elctronica, rock, indie and cheesy 70s disco (Abba were and still are the greatest pop phenomenon!).

I care that people don't try and impose their tastes on me. Was on my way to a Killing Joke gig and mentioned my penchant for 70s disco. This was welcomed with a fair bit of scorn. I bet I see them dancing to the Bee Gees one day!

I'd have to ask about as to whether this relates to my personality or not. I think my view of myself (perfect!) is probably very different to reality.

[OBonio]

Oh, and now I'm a dad, it's my god given right to play Val Doonican and dance like a pillock!

[mcmikeymike]

I don't really care if what I like is cool, intellectual or just krap ... If I like listening to it, I'm happy.

[cliffsdoll]

i love listening to cliff and the osmonds, i also think some of my kids stuff they listen to is also quiote good like ticket outta looseville by son of dork. i'll listen to a wide range of stuff, but am besotted with the osmonds and think cliff is the best, i dont give a monkeys uncle if people think i'm uncool.

[Drusilla]

I think I'm easily influenced. As a child my mum tuned me into Bowie, Roxy Music, The Rolling Stones and The Doors.
My first free choice was probably the New Wave stuff like The Ramones and Blondie.
At college I adored The Nevermind CD by Nirvana, then attended a hippy fancy dress party and fell in love with White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane and Canned Heat.
It's adverts that seem to keep my musical taste evolving and I've been listening to Joanna Newsom, Carmen Miranda's Samba music of the 1930's, Devendra Banhart and Pink Martini's, Sympathique.
I love Souad Massi, Gillian Welch and Kathryn Williams, but accept I'm probably not cool, but varied.
I'll probably write down the names of bands I've seen for the first time here and fall in love with at least one of them.
I've never thought about it in terms of my personality before, but I suppose my constant changes do reflect my desire to find out who I am.
Therapy from music choices bell242. You could make a fortune!!!

[Scarlets]

Its a good question and I think WaldoMcFroog has answerd it near perectly. Music is Universal. Like what you like, dislike what you don't

This is my main problem with the charts / radio 1 / pop idol etc

How many people who bought that crazy frog thing got an emotional attachemnt from it?

[andy hughes]

Yep, I'm with muh colleague Waldo oncce again on this.

I've never thought of my taste as 'cool', or indeed any other adjective - except wide-ranging.

I don;t like to say "I listen to anything ..." because that implies that I have no opinions, which I do, most difintely, but I will give anything a go (missus!) and take it from there.

As a music journalist, I uncover gems of bands that I may not have come accross, until I'm sent albums to review, or for research for interviews. I've just become a major fan of both Alter Bridge and Nada Surf - having interviewed both bands' drummers this week.

I listen to the radio as often as I can - and generally try to keep an ear open for what ever is out there.

Cool? Yeah, if you like!

[surfer mike]

If you are a true music fan then you must have broad wide reaching tastes..i have.. ranging from rock to soul taking in blues, ska, reggae, punk, grunge and jazz.

artists in my record collection include miles davis, johnny cash, the beatles, zeppelin,hendrix, xtc,dylan, joni mitchell,sam cooke, the smiths, joy division, stone roses, the clash, radiohead, massive attack,catherine wheel, pixies,jamie lidell, india arie, the killers, el presidente, gorillaz, eminem and even some classical.

[Scarlets]

Surfer Mike: "If you are a true music fan then you must have broad wide reaching tastes."

That's a bit contentious. I think that deserves it's own topic. I know people who are so into a particular style of music they spend every penny travelling the world to see it. But will NEVER listen to anything with say distorted guitar in it. Are they true music fans?

I personally LOVE stuff ranging from Nick Cave to Tears for Fears, to Leftfield to Sergei Prokoviev. But really can't stand what they call "R&B" or Drum and Bass or stuff like Will Young. Am I a true music fan?

[surfer mike]

Put like that its a Good point, probably should have said have a open mind to embracing other forms of music..oh well

[leesa25]

Interesting question....i like a wide range of music n i dont care how kewl i am n wot people think. Life would be boring if we all liked the same kinda thing so woteva u like just make sure u play it LOUD!!!!.