Much as no one likes admitting it, we're all stubborn to an extent. Especially when it comes to our likes and dislikes.We're set in our ways from everything to how we have our salad, what we'll order for a soft drink when eating out and even what musical genre and artists we will listen to.
There are exceptions to this, of course. I've got a very odd mix in my iTunes library with all sorts of clashing genres, artists and music in Spanish at that but, not everyone has such eclectic taste. And even then, I have music I will not download or listen to.
But, then you run into those who by no means want to give a different style of music a chance. Some people are hip hop heads and have no interest in breaking away from that while others are rockets and are in the same boat of wanting to their musical routine as-is.
Here's that ‘I like what I like’ mentality coming into play. That's best described as citing whatever it is you enjoy as a reason not to expand your horizons.
I can honestly say that, one of my best friends and I wouldn't be so close if we hadn't exchanged music. She had gotten booted out of her room by an inconsiderate roommate, I offered her to come and crash on my couch in my dorm, she came over and we helped each other study for midterms and then took to talking about our different favorite styles of music and trading songs. She played me a cover of the song Careless Whisper. That song is originally by 80s pop band Wham! but, the cover she showed me was by none other than the rock band, Seether. Since she showed me a song of her choice, I offered her my favorite song by Eminem since Em samples a lot of older rock songs and my homegirl is a proud rocker so, I figured she would enjoy that.
We got to talking about how DJ-ing, music sampling and the like are different across all musical genres but, are very much happening no matter what type of music pumps out of your stereo. If we hadn't exchanged music, I doubt we’d be as close as we are right now. And, I’m very glad we bonded over music and will forevermore be something of a dynamic duo. We took our differences and used them to strike up a wonderful friendship. That doesn’t happen every day but, if we all took the two seconds to open up about our music, it might happen a little more often.
Share and exchange music with your friends, lovers and, maybe even with a family member if you'd like. Really taking the time to appreciate the music someone likes, even if in the end of it, you're not such a fan, shows that you truly take an interest in them and genuinely care.
For Galentine’s Day, Valentine’s Day or even just as a just-because type of gift, make a mix CD with some of your favorite tunes and give it to the person of your choice. Or, if you have no idea how that works, send them a message with a link to a song you love attached, ask them to check it out and, then promise that you will check out whatever song they want you to.
