What Your Listening Age Says About you
The music we love isn’t just a matter of taste; it’s deeply intertwined with our memories and experiences.A phenomenon known as the “reminiscence bump” explains why people often have a strong preference for music from their adolescence and early adulthood – typically between the ages of 10 and 30. But what happens when someone enjoys music from decades before their own formative years? This leads to the intriguing concept of a “listening age” that doesn’t align with chronological age.
The reminiscence bump suggests music gains significance during a period of identity formation. Though, this doesn’t fully explain why younger generations gravitate towards older tunes. A 2013 study by Carol Krumhansl and Justin Zupnick at the University of California Santa Cruz investigated this further. They asked a group of college students and young adults (average age 20) to rate their preferences for popular songs spanning from 1955 (“Rock Around the Clock”) to the 2000s (“Poker Face”).
The results were revealing.Participants showed a preference for music released between the ages of minus two to 18, hinting at a future reminiscence bump for themselves. More surprisingly, they also demonstrated a strong liking for music from 1960-1969 and 1980-1984 – periods before they were born. As the authors noted, “these participants exhibited something like a reminiscence bump for music released in two time periods before they were born” (p. 2065). A simple calculation reveals that 2013 minus 20 years corresponds to the 1993-1993 timeframe, aligning with the participants’ birth years. Furthermore,the 1960s and 1969 period would have been the years of their parents’ own reminiscence bump,effectively making the participants appear,in terms of musical preference,to be 60 years old or older.
Krumhansl and Zupnick considered several explanations for this phenomenon. One possibility is the inherent quality of music from the 1960s, suggesting these songs possess a lasting appeal. Another factor is the continued presence of older music in contemporary culture. Streaming services like Spotify feature remixes, covers, and the inclusion of classic songs in movies, extending the lifespan of these tunes beyond their original release.
Ultimately, the disconnect between chronological age and musical preference isn’t necessarily a negative. As highlighted in the New York Times, a higher listening age can even be a “badge of honor.” Artists like Taylor Swift demonstrate the power of nostalgia, successfully blending older sounds with modern sensibilities.
Beyond broader cultural trends, the music of previous generations frequently enough carries personal significance. Perhaps a mother’s constant playing of Madonna during car rides, or a father’s adoption of “Eye of the Tiger” as a personal anthem, created lasting associations that resonate today.
music’s powerful connection to emotion and memory provides a unique lens through which to explore our identity, nonetheless of age.
