Music has a different effect on everyone. Some people may not even listen to music. As for me, music is a big part of me and it has been for a very long time. Aside from playing my instruments, I find myself listening to music in everything I do. Music for me is an escape, distraction, and even a motivation at times. Most people listen to music for the enjoyment, but for others it could have a more meaningful and significant effect on you.

When we are sad, some of us listen to music as an escape. I know that when I do, it tends to calm my nerves, otherwise I would drown in silence making my situation far worse. Even when we are happy we listen to music, such as at parties and happy vibe car rides. I believe, however, everyone’s taste in music is different.

We all favor certain singers, or even bands and genres. What we may listen to when we’re sad may be something people listen to when they are happy or vise versa. I also believe that the type of music we listen to says a little bit about our personality. When I was younger, I went through a dark phase in my life. In those times, alternative and heavy metal soothed me. Nowadays, I cannot bring myself to listen to those genres. As I changed, so did my music taste. I now listen to soft music and favor only a couple singers. As we change, our music does too.

Music could be a distraction in good and bad ways. For example, when I work, I have to listen to music, because it distracts me from my thoughts that scream out “this is too much work!” When I’m listening to music, I tend to be focused and finish my work a lot faster. For others that may not be the case. Some people cannot focus on their work, and music becomes a distraction for them.

When I said music could be motivational, I meant it in many ways. For one, when I work out without music, I get tired and give up. When I turn on my music, I feel like my body is pumped with adrenaline. The music pushes me through and no matter how bad it hurts, the music motivates me to keep going. Another way music could be motivational is the lyrical meanings behind the songs. Most songs have an exquisitely beautiful meaning behind the lyrics geared to a certain group of people. When someone listens to them it motivates them in different ways. Music has so many effects on the person you are today. What songs, artists and genres do you listen to? Do you feel like they contrast with your personality?