Has your opinion on a song changed because of hearing it in a certain situation?
I have heard many songs that when heard in and of itself, I didn’t like. But then I hear it in some kind of context (in a commercial or promo, for example), and I like it (even when heard out of the context). For example, the song Paradise by Coldplay I did not like when I heard it. Then I was on vacation and having a moment of reflection on top of a mountain when the song came on. It seemed to be apropos in that moment, and now I like the song when I hear it on the radio.
I’ve also had instances where I hear songs for the first time in a promo and like it, but when heard on it’s own, I’m not a fan. This has happened a lot with songs that are played over sports highlight reels to preview the playoffs or something. I like the song there, but then I download and listen to it without the context, and I hate it.
Does this happen to you? Can you give examples of the times it has happened?
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The first time I heard riders of the storm, I was very high on marijuana and I had some type of experience. Felt great.
Yes. Ever since seeing the movie 1408, I can no longer listen to the Carpenters without thinking of that room.
We’ve only just begun….
I can never listen to “Blue Danube” waltz (Strauss) again without visualizing a rocket docking with a space station, even though I first knew the tune before seeing 2001: A Space Odyssey :A_Space_Odyssey%28film%29#Music
in 1968. I hate to call the change permanent after only 44 years…
When I was young I, too, had experiences with pop music while high, which left permanent associations between the music and the occasion, which I can re-invoke simply by re-listening.
Then there’s the famous “Hiyo, Silver” connection to William Tell Overture (Rossini).
I think this is quite common. To the extent that we expose ourselves to music, it connects with us emotionally & becomes intertwined with perception of everyday experience. The expression, “Music is the soundtrack to your life,” rings true for me.
Back in the days when Olivia Newton-John was popular, her song Heart Attack came out. I was in college at the time, and one of the dorm-mates used to play her music. Near the end of freshman year, a classmate and friend who had a heart condition, keeled over and died. I saw his body as the paramedics wheeled it out of the dorm and in no rush. I finally had to ask the friend not to play that song any more.
On a lighter note…While not a fan of Celine Dion, two of her songs are now appreciated due to memories. One is while hanging out in Las Vegas with a group of friends and watching the water and light show in front of the Bellagio. We were having such a wonderful time, and I had never seen anything like this before. The song now makes me think of that personal moment of happiness instead of the movie Titanic.
Made love years ago to The Doors “Light My Fire.”
Best. Thing. Ever.
In middle school, I loved Police’s Every Breath You Take. Then they used it as background music for stalking scenes in movies. Now it’s the creepiest song I know.
A lot of songs became better for me because of Glee—I didn’t like Soul Sister until Blake did it with the Warblers. Somehow, just seeing the song performed in a specific context makes it more interesting.
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