Do you think the kind of music a person listens to reflects their personality?

If they listen to only ONE genre, yes, if they listen to a wide variety such as me and you, it’s harder to tell.

Not at all.. I’m a normal person and love Korn, Marilyn Manson and System of a Down

No, not necessarily.

I interned on a show during uni where the star was a middle-aged guy and I was (pleasantly) surprised to discover one of his favourite albums was English Settlement by XTC, of all things, a band that I knew not many people were into, and still aren’t. I heard it blasting out of his office at least once a week.

It doesn’t necessarily mean that listening to slow music means you’re a slow person, but yes, the music you listen to can reveal a lot about your personality.

Yes, the type of music you enjoy does say something about your personality. Whether you like a certain type of Genre or many Genres it definitely says something about your personality.

I think there are many reasons people like certain Genres. It could be the sound catches your ear, it could be something you shared with a loved one, it could be a rebellious choice, it could be because of lyrical style, it could be the reaction you get from others, it could even be because most people don’t like it, etc.

So I think what you listen to does say something about your personality and who you are, but I don’t think you can generalize people based on which Genre they listen to.

I like “Slap that Skanky ‘Ho”. What does that say about me?

@Quagmire my guess is that you enjoy the vulgarity of the title/lyrics and find it humorous. You therefore have a sense of humor, also clued in from the Family Guy Avatar, and enjoy posting jokes.

-se_ven (Freud) ;)

Does that mean when you develop a taste for a new kind of music you automatically changed your personality? If you are referring to stereotypes you might be right, but that depends how you feel about stereotypes.

Having said that, I do understand that in today’s world we use everything we can to create our (online) identity. Music can be a quick way to find common grounds with someone and a great conversation starter. But today’s world is also a fast paced world, and when people get to know you I believe they will mix lots of bits of information about you to form an image of you. I guess what I’m trying to saying is that your choice of music does not define you, but it might have an effect on how people look at you. Until they learn to know you better of course.

Personality doesn’t necessarily determine music. And music doesn’t determine personality. But music is just a part of your personality, it’s one slice of the pie. It doesn’t reflect, but it reveals some clues on what you’re more inclined to be.

I like hardcore rap, classic rock, and classic piano music. I must have one messed up personality! oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!

in some cases.
but the conclusion you draw about someone based on their music will often be much more exaggerated than reality, even if it is semi true. also, i think it depends on who’s judging their personality based on music.
for example, if i don’t like rap, and someone does, i could be like “they like rap because they’re uneducated and obnoxious.” of course i’m going to think that, if that’s my perspective on the music itself. (but it’s not. i like rap.)

I don’t think your musical taste defines anything other than your musical taste.
One of my coworkers is the nicest guy on the planet… soft-spoken, mild-mannered and will go out of his way to be helpful and cheerful. The guy LOVES death metal… blasts it at home and in his car… the louder, faster, harder to understand and more like barking on steroids that the song sounds like the more he loves it.

If you saw the guy or spent 5 minutes with him you would NEVER guess that about him.

Yes. It is a part of who you are.
That is part of your personality.

Just might not be so apparent.

Absolutely. And it might change over time.