A recent study reveals that as people age, they tend to have fewer favourite songs. The research, conducted by the University of Gothenburg and other institutions, analysed 15 years of listening data from over 40,000 users. The findings suggest that musical taste becomes more refined with age, with older listeners gravitating towards familiar tunes from their past.
The study found that younger individuals often listen to a wide range of contemporary popular music and follow trends in popular culture. However, as people transition from adolescence to adulthood, their music habits broaden, exploring more artists and genres. In contrast, with age, this spectrum narrows, and music choices become more personal and influenced by previous experiences.
One significant factor contributing to this change is nostalgia. As people age, music from their youth becomes a "soundtrack to life", leading them to return repeatedly to songs they loved in their younger years. This pattern is particularly evident among older listeners, who continue to enjoy new music but also revisit familiar songs.
The study also highlights that musical taste becomes more unique with age. While teenagers often share many favourite songs with their peers, this becomes more difficult with age. Older individuals may have distinct preferences, with some enjoying death metal, while others prefer artists like Genesis or reggae.
Researchers used data from the music service Last.fm, where users share their music listening habits from platforms such as Spotify. This allowed them to build personal music profiles and gain an overview of one's own music listening. Since Last.fm users can enter their age when they register, it was possible to link listening habits to age. The study is based on data spanning 15 years, covering more than 40,000 users, with over 542 million plays of more than 1 million different songs.
In conclusion, the study provides scientific evidence that musical taste evolves with age, becoming more refined and influenced by personal experiences. While older listeners may have fewer favourite songs, their music choices are deeply personal and reflective of their life journey.
