I have a theory that someone's personality can be determined based on the music they listen to while driving. I have been without a working car since about the beginning of March, so I have had a number of lifts with other people. Here are just a few types of music/ radio I've come across:
1. Opera
This was on the way home with a couple I like to call Frog and Toad...I won't say why. It was very softly playing in the background but honestly, who listens to opera? I'm not a huge fan. Anyway, it tells me that either one or both lead rather hectic professional lives. Not sure what's calming about incomprehensible shrieking, but to each her own.
This was on the way home with a couple I like to call Frog and Toad...I won't say why. It was very softly playing in the background but honestly, who listens to opera? I'm not a huge fan. Anyway, it tells me that either one or both lead rather hectic professional lives. Not sure what's calming about incomprehensible shrieking, but to each her own.
2. Accordion
Honestly I'm not sure what to make of this one. I am told that she bought the CD not knowing what was on it and now enjoys turning it on to bother her children. Nearly every track sounds the same. I suppose enjoyment of this could signify needing time to zone out with some mindless music after escaping a crazy household.
Honestly I'm not sure what to make of this one. I am told that she bought the CD not knowing what was on it and now enjoys turning it on to bother her children. Nearly every track sounds the same. I suppose enjoyment of this could signify needing time to zone out with some mindless music after escaping a crazy household.
3. Child sing-along
I feel pretty bad when I get in a car and hear this. Sometimes they turn it off, but this is a huge indication of a mother perhaps slightly overwhelmed by looking after small children. She may even begin singing along with it. Don't act like it's weird, it's her life.
I feel pretty bad when I get in a car and hear this. Sometimes they turn it off, but this is a huge indication of a mother perhaps slightly overwhelmed by looking after small children. She may even begin singing along with it. Don't act like it's weird, it's her life.
4. K-love
This might be the most common among friends. It's just kinda always on in the background. It's okay, in my opinion, but my biggest peeve with it is that it is soo repetitive! It's fine to circle around the same 10 songs for a week maybe, but not in the same day. It gets old. I think it's for people who can't handle silence. Who can honestly listen to the same song all the time and really be thinking about the words?
This might be the most common among friends. It's just kinda always on in the background. It's okay, in my opinion, but my biggest peeve with it is that it is soo repetitive! It's fine to circle around the same 10 songs for a week maybe, but not in the same day. It gets old. I think it's for people who can't handle silence. Who can honestly listen to the same song all the time and really be thinking about the words?
5. Moody radio
This is frequently on during the morning and night around my place. It is Christian radio with a mix of sermons from different speakers and also music. It could possibly be most listened to by people with nothing to do but also those in need of help. A couple times a day it is also useful for weather and news, with my favourite meteorologist; Joe Lundberg!
This is frequently on during the morning and night around my place. It is Christian radio with a mix of sermons from different speakers and also music. It could possibly be most listened to by people with nothing to do but also those in need of help. A couple times a day it is also useful for weather and news, with my favourite meteorologist; Joe Lundberg!
6. Rock
I spent two years car pooling a 45 min. drive to orchestra and back with this girl who really liked rock music. As a result I got a lot of experience I never wished to have. I'm not sure what personality likes it. Slightly unsettled or unsure of themselves? Not usually one that I would say enjoyed classical music as well, but I'm not sure. There are different types of rock but this seemed a little more tuneless and laid back than say heavy metal. That could be something entirely separate though. I feel educated and well rounded as a result of those times. Now I can truthfully say from experience that rock music isn't my cup of tea.
I spent two years car pooling a 45 min. drive to orchestra and back with this girl who really liked rock music. As a result I got a lot of experience I never wished to have. I'm not sure what personality likes it. Slightly unsettled or unsure of themselves? Not usually one that I would say enjoyed classical music as well, but I'm not sure. There are different types of rock but this seemed a little more tuneless and laid back than say heavy metal. That could be something entirely separate though. I feel educated and well rounded as a result of those times. Now I can truthfully say from experience that rock music isn't my cup of tea.
7. Country
Now I like country music, the real kind, but last year I drove up to camp listening to nothing but country-ish/ bluegrass-ish music and old time radio the entire six hour ride. For a long time after that I was very sick of it, as was everyone else besides our driver. Only a true fan could stick it out that long. Maybe he likes a predictable life. Once a good genre is found, there seems no need for variety. And by old time radio shows, I mean really really old shows with the straight forward plots, deep, southern accented narrator, and cheesy sound effects.
Now I like country music, the real kind, but last year I drove up to camp listening to nothing but country-ish/ bluegrass-ish music and old time radio the entire six hour ride. For a long time after that I was very sick of it, as was everyone else besides our driver. Only a true fan could stick it out that long. Maybe he likes a predictable life. Once a good genre is found, there seems no need for variety. And by old time radio shows, I mean really really old shows with the straight forward plots, deep, southern accented narrator, and cheesy sound effects.
8. Dulcimer
I didn't know there was so much dulcimer music in the world...until I rode to a convention with my teacher. Her entire iPod is full of it. Fiddle tunes, Irish tunes, Scottish, bluegrass, hymns, you name it. Mountain dulcimer might get the prize for being able to play more genres of music than any other instrument I know. Those who listen to it indicate quirky, right brained people who aren't afraid what others think.
I didn't know there was so much dulcimer music in the world...until I rode to a convention with my teacher. Her entire iPod is full of it. Fiddle tunes, Irish tunes, Scottish, bluegrass, hymns, you name it. Mountain dulcimer might get the prize for being able to play more genres of music than any other instrument I know. Those who listen to it indicate quirky, right brained people who aren't afraid what others think.
9. Classical quartets
Being rather involved in music, I know a number of people who do this. Don't they ever get sick of it? Not to say that I don't listen to classical music, quartets are even my favorite, but in the car I feel like I'd rather a different atmosphere. It's too complex to be listening to with only half a mind. Especially Brahms or Shostakovich. Leave that for the practice room.
Being rather involved in music, I know a number of people who do this. Don't they ever get sick of it? Not to say that I don't listen to classical music, quartets are even my favorite, but in the car I feel like I'd rather a different atmosphere. It's too complex to be listening to with only half a mind. Especially Brahms or Shostakovich. Leave that for the practice room.
10. Gregorian chants + old music
I have a professor who I wouldn't be surprised at all if he has an iPod full of this stuff and listens to it in the car. We are always watching weird videos for homework and frequently listening to his favorite ones in class. These are all signs of a serious history nerd with a lot of extra time to surf the net.
I have a professor who I wouldn't be surprised at all if he has an iPod full of this stuff and listens to it in the car. We are always watching weird videos for homework and frequently listening to his favorite ones in class. These are all signs of a serious history nerd with a lot of extra time to surf the net.
11. Audio books!
Occasionally a car will turn on and along with it, a book in the middle of a chapter. I suppose they think it rude to leave on so I never hear more than a couple words before it gets turned off. I believe audio book listeners tend to have somewhat stressful jobs and listen to books to cool down or so they don't have to think about the craziness they just left. This might be a separate category, but I believe one snippet I heard was from a cookbook. I've never heard of cookbooks on audio before, but it sounds awful. I'm not sure I want to know the reasoning behind it.
Occasionally a car will turn on and along with it, a book in the middle of a chapter. I suppose they think it rude to leave on so I never hear more than a couple words before it gets turned off. I believe audio book listeners tend to have somewhat stressful jobs and listen to books to cool down or so they don't have to think about the craziness they just left. This might be a separate category, but I believe one snippet I heard was from a cookbook. I've never heard of cookbooks on audio before, but it sounds awful. I'm not sure I want to know the reasoning behind it.
12. NPR
This is for people who don't like boring rides. Not everything is interesting on it, but it fills the silence and usually has a good story or fact to teach.
This is for people who don't like boring rides. Not everything is interesting on it, but it fills the silence and usually has a good story or fact to teach.
13. News
For boring people who enjoy being depressed.
For boring people who enjoy being depressed.
14. Loud, obnoxious Screamo
Need I say more?
Need I say more?
So what is your go to station? Do you fit in with any of the quirky personalities above? Or are you that person who doesn't listen to anything but enjoys the peace and quiet? I admit I was slightly more interested in the wide variety of music than in actually interpreting people, but it definitely could be done. Muggle radios have yet to be installed in broomsticks though, so I haven't listened to any road music lately.
