What determines the songs that people like?
 

So if we were to examine a particular person's favourite songs list, would we find a certain pattern in terms of chord progression and structure of the different songs listed? If so, do different people's genetics determine what sort of sound they are into, or soley their mood and upbringing?

I have a long list of songs that I like (most of them 80s/90s alternative rock), although don't know if there is a particular reason why I like them or not.

I assume songs with sound tend to be what people like.

Oh, fuck I hate those

*cough* 4'33" *cough*

I like songs with names.

I don't think 4'33" counts as a song because it doesn't have lyrics.

There's a dance though.

I have no data to back this up, but my impression is it's not so much particular chord sequences or things like that that people like. Rather, people are attracted to a certain degree of simplicity or complexity, Some people like songs that repeat a particular chord patter over and over in a fairly predictable fashion - for others, that's a total turnoff and they want the music to surprise them more.

To see if there is a pattern with me, these are a list of songs that I currently like:

• That's When I Reach For My Revolver - Mission of Burma
• She Floated Away - Husker Du
• Good Grief - Foo Fighters
• We Go Down Slowly Rising - Primal Scream
• Driver 8 - R.E.M.
• Waterfall - The Stone Roses
• Come Home - Placebo

The list goes on and on... These are just the sort of song that I like. Would you say there is a pattern in terms of how they sound (you can look up any that you haven't heard), and do they meet the "predictable" standard or the "suprise" standard?

Idk what determines my taste but most of the songs i like tend to be from artist whom i feel are strange individuals with a unique voice. i tend to like imposing singers that screech and annoy you but can also carry a melody. i also like short songs, i don't usually like long songs that take forever to build up.

Idk what determines this preference but i think it's cause i got accustomed to pixies song format, they made very short songs that were very raw and creative and i like bands that use that same type of structure.

I'll check those out when I have time.

My earlier post was a bit of an over-simplification. Of course there are other factors whether someone likes a recording or not. Some people like songs with lots of heavy drumming and growling vocals and Satanic themes etc, and aren't too fussed about melody or the lack of it; others like gentle soothing sounds and don't care for much dynamic range; and so on. My earlier comment was really about TUNES rather than the manner in which they are delivered.

You like The Pixies? We learn something new every day. :D