The Soundtrack to Life

Shalini Malik

Music Journalist

Dating in today’s generation, if you haven’t already heard, is… let’s stick with the word HORRIBLE. And with the rise of ultra-popular dating apps—Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, Wizz, etc.—it’s not getting any easier and, in fact, is making the dating game a lot more complicated than it should be. Take it from me. I’ve gone on my fair share of Hinge and Tinder dates, and all I’m going to say is that at least I have stories to tell. But the one thing I’ve learned is that music can tell you a lot more about a person than you might think. Think of it as a soundtrack to their life. You might not know anything about them, but you can definitely “catch a vibe” from what a person listens to. Which is why my go-to line is “let’s make a Spotify Blend.”

The music we choose to listen to encapsulates who we are, how we think, and why we live a certain way. It’s why different categories of music can be attributed to certain lifestyles people choose to adopt. Let’s take the ’60s, for example. This era of music inspired the hippie subculture, which was a movement that rejected mainstream American life and started counterculture—or as we know it, the “alternative” lifestyle.

The emergence of rock and folk music, such as Bob Dylan, The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, etc., often shared common themes of rebellion and “being free” from the restraints of what was considered socially acceptable. A popular song during this time was Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones. They constantly reiterate the phrase “I can’t get no satisfaction” and describe how the things that supposedly make life fulfilling don’t. Following what “I’m watchin’ on my TV” and listening to the man on the radio “about some useless information” aren’t able to fulfill the meaning of life. It’s a song that describes escaping the shackles of society and choosing to live the way you want to.

The younger generations were the people to whom this type of music often appealed. Many began expressing themselves by having longer hair, wearing more casual and colorful clothes, experimenting with psychedelics, and seeking spiritual guidance from sources outside the typical Judeo-Christian tradition. People became more wild and free. Music wasn’t just something to listen to on the radio, but an expression of what being human really meant.

There’s an infinite amount of music in the world, and it’s almost overwhelming. Which is why the music we listen to tells so much about us—because out of everything out there in the world, why do we choose to listen to these specific genres, songs, and bands? Why is our favorite song our favorite? Music is the foundation of almost everything because it inspires us to change. Change the way we dress. Change the way we think. And even change our perspectives on what life really means.

It’s a way to express our most vulnerable thoughts and beliefs, so the next time you’re trying to get to know someone, say “let’s make a Spotify Blend” and take the time to really analyze what y’all’s music says about each other—because it’s a hidden language you might understand.