Why We Like the Music We Do: How Our Childhood and Surroundings Shape Our Music Taste.

By Darray Robinson, President of Colorado Springs Chapter

Why We Like the Music We Do: How Our Childhood and Surroundings Shape Our Music Taste.

Have you ever stopped to wonder why you love a certain type of music? Maybe your playlist is full of R&B or lo-fi beats. Or maybe you get super emotional over songs that your parents played when you were a kid. The music we’re drawn to isn’t just random. It’s shaped by the people we grew up around, the places we lived in, and the experiences we had.

Think about it. If your parents played jazz on Sunday mornings while making pancakes, that sound probably stuck with you. According to research from the University of Cambridge, we start developing preferences for music as early as age five. And those early sounds stick in our brains way longer than we think. They almost become part of us.

But it’s not just about family. Your community plays a big part too. If you grew up hearing reggaeton blasting from cars or pop-punk at your local skate park, that becomes the

background of your life. It’s like a soundtrack you didn’t even choose. A study in the Psychology of Music found that teens are more likely to connect with songs that match their cultural identity or the vibe of their friend group. So if your best friends are into indie bands or K-pop, chances are you’ll start liking it too.

Your emotions matter as well. Songs that helped you get through a rough time or made you feel seen become favorites. Childhood is full of ups and downs, and we often connect music to the way we felt during those moments. That’s why certain songs feel like home.

Even the internet has a role. If you spent hours on YouTube or TikTok growing up, discovering new artists and genres there could have shaped your whole music personality. Algorithms might show you what’s popular, but you’re still more likely to click on what feels familiar or what fits your vibe.

In the end, your music taste is kind of like a mixtape of your life. It’s made up of memories, emotions, people, and places. So the next time someone asks why you like what you like, just tell them it’s part of your story.

Sources:

Greenberg, D. M., et al. (2016). "Personality, culture, and music preferences." Journal of

Personality and Social Psychology.

Bonneville-Roussy, A., et al. (2013). "Music through the ages: Trends in musical engagement

and preferences from adolescence through middle adulthood." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

University of Cambridge Research News. (2014). “Musical taste shaped by personality and

cognitive style.”

Psychology of Music Journal. (2018). “Cultural identity and music preferences in adolescence.”