Medical Mysteries of MusicOngoing History of New Music

Ongoing History Daily: What does your taste in music say about you?

We all have our preferences when it comes to music. But what do those preferences say about us? Researchers love looking at stuff like this. Here are some recent general findings.

If you like mainstream pop music, chances are you’re an agreeable person. If metal is your thing—especially the violent material—you’re more likely to find joy in music and are no more likely to be violent than the next person. But check this out. People who love a lot of big, deep bass in your music could be psychotic. Those are the findings from a 1997 study published in the Journal Personality and Individual Differences.

Getting specific, Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” was cited as a favourite by people who scored high for psychopathy. The least psychopathic people in this study was “My Sharona” by The Knack. Thoughts?

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 42185 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross