Does Music Taste Have an Age Limit?

DISCLAIMER: This blog post will not include references to scientific research. I will also be largely referring to specifically rock music and audiences in the United Kingdom.

[South Park]

It is now widely understood that music has an effect on the human brain from as early as birth. Studies have shown newborn babies responding to the rhythm and tempo of music, suggesting that humans may be born with a predisposition to move rhythmically in response to music (link). 

As humans, we enjoy music from day one; some mothers even report feeling their babies move in the womb in response to music. Music can help us feel connected to other people through shared enjoyment, and music / dancing is often used as a positive 'free time' treat with young children in schools. Basically, everyone loves music in one form or another.

I myself have had a very particular music taste since I was a young child, largely rock and metal music. As I got older, I have heard phrases such as 'I've grown out of that kind of music' and, in contrast, 'that's the kind of stuff my Dad listens to'. It got me thinking, do particular bands and types of music have an 'age limit'? I will be focussing on rock and metal music in particular.

[Monsters University]

Teenage angst

Going back to the comment that was made to me - 'I've grown out of that kind of music [rock]' - it seems that, at least where I come from, rock and metal music are largely associated with teenage audiences. In many ways, this would make sense. Teenage years are often filled with angst and confusion (link), topics that are often covered in rock music lyrics. Stores such as Hot Topic and Blue Banana (remember them?!) that would sell rock band merchandise alongside 'alternative' clothing that were modelled by younger, teenage customers, and many rock music videos would feature teenage fans. The vast majority of audiences at rock shows are teenagers, and rock music is often seen as a sign of rebellion, particularly in the 60s and 70s, causing parents and older generations to be dismissive of that kind of music. 

One researcher had this to say on the matter: "Teenage years are often dominated by the need to establish identity, and music is a cheap, effective way to do this."

"Adolescents' quest for independence often takes the shape of a juxtaposed stance to the perceived 'status quo', that of parents and the establishment. 'Intense' music, seen as aggressive, tense and characterised by loud, distorted sounds has the rebellious connotations that allow adolescents to stake a claim for the autonomy that is one of this period's key 'life challenges'." (link).

Building on the 'loud, distorted sounds' part, it is also not a far cry to suggest that as angry teenagers these sounds are more understandable and representative of our internal feelings, and so they will not be as welcomed by older audiences. This can be seen with screamo music, for example, where older audiences are quick to negatively label it as 'noise'. 

The research seems to support the notion that rock music is 'for' teenage audiences. However, I realised something the other day that made me think - when The Black Parade is Dead! concert film (My Chemical Romance) was filmed, Gerard Way was THIRTY years old. THIRTY. Even though he looks about 20, he was actually 30. And it got me thinking, why are people quick to criticise those bands and associate them with younger ages when the writers and performers of these songs were the same age as most of us fans are now?! Some may be quick to suggest that these artists specifically write their songs for younger audiences, but I refuse to believe that this is the only motive behind songwriting, ignoring factors such as personal life experience.

[South Park]

'Dad music'

Extending on the subject of 'age' in rock music, it is also a well known fact that particular bands and genres, such as classic rock, are associated with 'Dads', or older men. There are countless albums out there claiming to be compilations of 'Dad rock' music, such as 'Dad Rocks!' (2008) and more recently 'NOW That's What I Call Dad Rock' (2018). The latter album actually came under fire in recent times, as, despite it being released a few years ago, people have been criticising the track list as not being particularly 'Dad rock', as it features songs from more modern artists that don't necessarily fit the stereotype, such as Hozier and Avril Lavigne. Some typical artists that ARE considered 'Dad rock' include Metallica, ACDC, Motorhead and The Rolling Stones, basically artists that were big at the time your 'Dad' was young in the 1970s and 80s. With this being said, it seems to be accepted that older men still listen to the same music they did when they were young... so why is it so different for us in our twenties? Perhaps it is because 'dad rock' is now considered to be 'classic', meaning you cannot really criticise the music as it is now of legendary status, whereas the emo bangers we loved and enjoyed may not fit the criteria for timeless, forever loved music (at least not at the moment, maybe give it a few more years). 

I have attended numerous concerts in my time, and at every single one you will count hundreds of older men, and women for that matter, in attendance. In fact, at Download Festival the vast majority of people I see there are men over the age of 40. Why is it so accepted for older generations to like rock music, whereas bands in the same genre are considered to be something that you 'grow out' of? Perhaps there is simply a difference in what is expected of twenty-somethings today compared to what there used to be...

[Ozzy Osbourne]

Pressure to grow up

As a 26 year old, I can easily say there is an abnormal amount of pressure on people my age from society, whether it be in relation to careers or to 'get your life together', i.e. get married and have children. I feel like, in comparison to say 40 years ago, there is definitely more pressure on young people today to 'make something' of yourself while you are still 'young'. Perhaps it is alongside these pressures that people think they have to 'grow out' of what they enjoyed as teenagers in order to fully grow up and develop as people. I even see 'influencers' who are in their twenties laughing at older images of them looking 'emo' and expressing how relieved they are to have 'matured' their style. Of course, certain fashions and styles will be left in the past, but most of the time they simply mean they have stopped wearing band t-shirts. Perhaps they are simply trying to look more professional and 'put together', something that wearing a band t-shirt does not have connotations with.

Just the other day, I was talking to an old friend about music we listened to as teenagers, and I mentioned that certain bands pop up on my Spotify. Their response was 'of course they do because you still listen to the same music you did when you were 14 *laughing emoji*'. This instantly hurt, and it honestly felt like an insult. But why? It's just music! It made me realise that appearing like you are stuck back in time and not progressing is instantly seen as a negative thing. Mentally, I can see why as sometimes it is not healthy to dwell in the past - I actually wrote a blog post about it - "Living in the Past - Nostalgia or Escaping Reality?" -  so I won't go into too much detail here. But in terms of what you enjoy... I find it more difficult to understand. Does that mean to say we cannot listen to music released before the present day? Okay, that is quite extreme, but you get my point. 

[Peter Pan]

Celebrating the past

In a world where it seems to be acceptable to want to 'grow out' of a certain music style, it is also just as acceptable to celebrate past decades. For example, I follow numerous people on Instagram who dedicate their lives to past times, whether it be the 1950s or 1970s, meaning they dress in that era's style and also celebrate music of the time. In addition, through the last decade or so it has become increasingly popular to own vinyl, harking back to older albums and artists. It is also popular in fashion to wear band t-shirts featuring older artists, with many labelling it 'vintage' or 'retro'. I don't know about you, but it seems like people pick and choose what is and isn't okay to like from years prior. It is like saying 'it is okay to dress and appear like you're from the 1960s because it looks cool and vintage, but it is not okay to listen to emo music from 2007 because it is really immature and you need to grow up.' .... Yeah, no. Again, this is probably because things that are considered 'classic' seem to be immune from criticism due to their now famed nature. Perhaps enough time hasn't passed, and one day, twenty or so years from now, emo music will be considered 'classic' and it will finally be acceptable to listen to it again. It makes sense, but it also sounds ridiculous, doesn't it.

You know what? Who cares!

When you look at things objectively, it is more simple - music is just sound, and some sounds make you happier than others. You cannot control what music you enjoy, so why should you feel bad about it? I may have comments from others because I still listen to My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy, but really what does it matter? It is not hurting anybody, and if it makes me happy, then surely that is all that matters. 

If you want to listen to 'dad rock' and you're not an older man, then go ahead! Bands that were big during my teenage years, such as Avenged Sevenfold and Slipknot, are still putting out music today, and I am still going to enjoy it. I am not going to move away from this genre because others feel like I should. If you personally have grown out of that kind of style, then that is understandable. I am just trying to say that you shouldn't feel guilty about not moving away from that style. 

I am going to continue to enjoy what I enjoy. I will also continue to wear band t-shirts, and not to appear 'vintage' or fashionable, but because I want to show my love for certain bands. Will I look like my teenage self while doing it? Probably. But so what? I am only in my twenties, I have plenty more time to 'grow up'. Those older people you see at concerts and festivals? That will proudly be me one day.