From Thrash to Ballads: Why Our Musical Tastes Evolve as We Age
Life has a funny way of changing our tastes and preferences, often in ways we don't anticipate. From my days of listening to skull-crushing heavy metal, to now mostly enjoying ballads, this transformation is a testament to our emotional and developmental journey. Let's delve into the reasons behind this shift in our musical preferences and the impact of hormones on our evolving tastes.
Identifying with Subculture in Early Adolescence
Between the ages of 11-13, most of us begin to identify with certain subcultures, often driven by the surging hormones and intense emotional experiences of adolescence. During this period, our brains are flooded with hormones, making every new experience far more impactful and memorable. We yearn to be part of something edgy and express our inner turmoil through chosen subcultures. In the early 1990s, for example, I was a strong advocate of the second wave of black metal, which mirrored the turbulent and tempestuous rage within me. Listening to bands like Darkthrone's Transilvanian Hunger with its bolts of lightning and warm-cold fever, was a visceral experience that left an indelible mark on my youth.
The Influence of Hormones on Musical Preferences
As we grow older, the hormonal surges that once dominated our lives begin to stabilize. Adolescence gives way to adulthood, and with it, our neural storm quiets down. This stabilization allows us to appreciate more calming types of music. After a long day of hard work, we might seek solace in music that quiets our minds and lets us dream of faraway places. Rather than expressing our inner turmoil constantly, we may find that music that soothes our inner demons occasionally is more fulfilling.
My playlist now includes not just the heavy metal classics like Immortal, Marduk, and Behemoth, but also the warm, soothing voices of Tori Amos and Agnes Obel, the dreamy world music of Azam Ali, and even some Indian classical ragas by Ravi Shankar. As we age, we discover new ways of expressing and dealing with our emotions, which is reflected in our choice of music.
The Evolution of Our Musicians
The journey of our musical tastes is mirrored in the evolution of our favorite musicians. Take the Metallica frontman James Hetfield, for example. He once sang rage-fueled anthems like Guilty as Charged, but as he grew older, he transformed into the more reflective singer who penned Lay Beside Me. Similarly, Dave Mustaine, who once shredded out the rage-party anthem Rattlehead, later became the more thoughtful and compassionate artist who wrote A Tout Le Monde. These changes in our musicians reflect the maturation of our inner selves.
From the perspective of our younger selves, our musicians might seem to sell out or become posers. However, as we become more self-assured and stable, we realize that musicians, too, are evolving. What once drove us in our teenage years has now transformed into a more nuanced and compassionate approach to music and life.
The journey from thrash to ballads is a natural part of human development. It reflects our changing emotions, our maturing perspectives, and the ways in which we come to terms with our inner turmoil as our lives progress. As we continue to grow, so too do our musicians, and the music we love.