When you listen to a song you've not heard before, what are you primarily listening to? The voice? The tune?

Question

The drums, etc? Are you trying to label it, put it in a category? Are you listening to the lyrics?

How quickly do you know if you like a song or not? Within 10 seconds, within a minute?

How many times do you have to hear a song to decide you like it?

Can you even generalise about such a thing?

The psychology of music is a wonderous thing. Why are certain songs capable of evoking such powerful memories, when others are so forgettable? Why is 'Angels' the most popular 'first dance' wedding song?

Stop me if I'm going on a bit....

Answer 1

the tune and then the lyrics. if it has a good beat or rhythm and is catchy, then i'd lap it up. as for how quickly i like the song it depends. on one listen, i may hate it and after a few listens, it grows on me; other times i like it but the more i listen, the less i like the song. i have to listen to it say 3 or 4 times for me to decide whether i like the track or not. as for why some songs are considered timeless and memorable is the quality of the songwriting- both lyrically and musically. and in response to why angels is the most popular song at a wedding, perhaps its to do with the tune and and familiarity of it. though i for one beg to differ.

Answer 2

The first time I hear a song I try to listen to all elements to see if there's any part of it that will appeal to me- certain genres tend to bore me but sometimes just one aspect of a song can hold my attention. I never fully decide whether I dislike a song or not- I have been known to fall in love with songs that I've previously dismissed months or even years earlier.

I think, for me anyway,songs appeal for one or more of these reasons- you can sing along with it, you can dance to it, you connect with the lyrics, you admire the arrangement or the lyrics (maybe wish you wrote it), it simply reminds you of a particular time- if a song doesn't fit into one of these categories it doesn't tend to be a song I like.

Sometimes the impact of a song has to do with the support it receives when it is released. Not all great songs chart highly, some aren't even released as singles but you'll find most people will opt for a well-known to choose for special occasions, such as a wedding, as it's more likely to have the desired effect on the most amount of people- thus making it a more powerful tune than another lesser known one. Personally, I'm a sucker for a golden-oldie and will like a song regardless of how famous it is.

Answer 3

I listen very much to the tune of a song first before anything else then the vocals. Even if the lyrics aren't that great, the vocals have a lot to do with my enjoyment of a song. Some songs get you right from the first listen and others tend to grow on you (the latter tend to be ones that are played over and over again till somehow you give in to them). Usually, however, the genre has a lot to do with how quickly I even consider a song. If I know it's country from the first 15 seconds, i'll most likely ignore it (that's just my opinion), if it's more rock n rollish, i'll give it a chance.

Answer 4

Most of what is shoved down our throat these days hardly qualifies as "Music."
I listen to the melody, the quality of the chord structures, how often the composer repeats the same four bars and if there are any, the lyrics. Of the "Rock" category, I've always enjoyed Jim Steinman's work. The guy knows how to write and I don't think he's ever used the chords E, A, D, C, F or G... If you're playing guitar, it's a h@#$ of a work out for your fingers.

Answer 5

I listen to EVERYTHING.
I never really try to categorize it.
I always listen to the lyrics.
Sometimes I like a song right away but a lot of times I have to hear it like 5 times before it becomes my favorite song.

Music is such an incredible thing that I couldn't possibly give you any advice other than enjoy it~~~

Answer 6

The first time I heard 'wires' - Athlete, done it for me, but the rest of the Albulm kinda let me down!! I think because it had a lil drum n bass feel to it...!

The first time I heard 'creep' - Radiohead also did it for me, but the songs/albums just kept getting better n better!!!

Sometimes I need to listen to a song for it to kick in?! And other songs.....it's just the once and I'm in luuuurve......!?

My first love was soul (teens) then the next phase was funky house and drum n bass (20's, but still love it)!

Now it's bands - Kasabian, bloc party, The Zutons, The White Stripes, The Stone Roses and loads more.....maybe it's because they all combine the styles of my first, and previous luuuurves and I feel the music before I hear the lyrics.........?

I know when I love a tune......is when I feel it in the pit of my stomach and I feel like I'm reeling.....then I know it's a PHAT tune! hehehe

You can go on n on n on all you like........music is my thang;¬}

Not knowledgable, but know what one likes! lol

X

OH as for the 'Angels' thang.........maybe the happy couple are telling eachother that the other are angels and that they need to do that via Robbie Williams!!! sorry, but YUK!"lol

Answer 7

I can usually tell if I like a song or not the first time I hear it. Bit I can like different things. Sometimes lyrics, sometimes baseline, guitar riff, drums... sometimes one little bit in the middle with a freaky noise...

Then again I always hated Mr Blue Sky by ELO but now I like it.

And a song by Kasabian called Processed Beats. I liked that firsty time I heard it cause of the baseline butn now I like the bit where there's a break in the song and this beepy little noise is there going "bipppiddybippdiddybipbipbip".. love that. Baseline is still good but that bit makes me smile.

Answer 8

I think primarily it's the lyrics then the tune, however the tunes tend to stick in my mind more than the lyrics, it usually takes two or times of listening to a song before i decide wether i like it or not.

Answer 9

I see how the tune makes me feel, then I listen to the lyrics, and then I see if I can stand the voice for more than 30 seconds.

Answer 10

I know I like a song if it sticks in my head. Some music is blatant background music to me, the kind you can talk over or just ignore. Really good music is music that makes you FEEL something...like when a sad song just makes you really sad, for no real reason. Music is amazing.