Fabricated tastes in music

I've always said if you have to *try* to like something, you don't. If you listen to what you like, no matter what it might be, you'll find somebody who likes it eventually.

It's better to meet people who have different tastes to you anyway; I’ve been thrilled to meet people who have similar tastes to mine, only to find out they're quite boring because that's all they talk about –- or if I’m unlucky, worse than that (they're horrible)

Nobody knows what Captain Beefheart means, & he can't tell us now.

YOU ARE LAAAAME!!! poser. go away. hahahha jkjk but really... be yoself, bruh.

Go slipknot!!!!!!!!!

I'm surprised you admit it. I can't do it: I feel so terrible about myself if I lie to seem cool.

show off? i'm admitting i don't "get" a lot of the music i listen to. sure, as i sort of mentioned in my original post, there is a layer of pride there mixed in with the self-loathing. i kind of dig that i listen to some of the music i own. but deep down, i know this "pleasure" i derive from OWNING certain kinds of music is not good for me and nothing i should be proud of...yes, i was hoping people would respond, but not so that i could feel more like an intellectual. i just wanted interesting, helpful reactions from those who could relate and those who don't, just like anyone else who posts here. that's all.

you do that for the same reason you would post a thread like this. . . ur a show off. . . you want to appear like you have something meaningful and smart to say. . . but really ur just out of ur element. . . . i mean seriously what kinda question is this. . . . is this normal? Has that really been going through ur head or did you just think up smething to post just so you could have people respond to it and agree so you would feel like more of an intilectual

yes...all the time..but im also deaf since age11

I know this is kind of late, but thank you guys for all the additional comments...i never really thought about the point several of you made about overvaluing the significance of understanding lyrics. kinda obvious in retrospect...the music itself, as c*ckyc*nt stated, sometimes expresses something more resonant than the lyrics ever could...there is nothing really wrong, poseurish, or hypocritcal in appreciating the music, even if one can't make much sense of the lyrics...it gives me a little sense of relief understanding this. though only just a little...
there is still the problem of relying on the opinions of "all-knowing" critics on shaping my tastes in music, something i didn't mention in the original post...i desperately seek out their approval (much more so than that of my peers) on the music i listen to, and admit to throwing aside discs i'd previously enjoyed after learning they were not received favorably. it's the same bad habit with books, movies, etc. thanks a lot metacritic!...
anyway, Divadelamort, i love your comment. I know what you discussed is something you said everyone battles with to some degree, but I feel like that's something I really struggle with. plus it reminds me of a movie i just watched recently, "humpday." take my word for it--and not just the critics' (haha!)--it's a great little indie that is both funny and touching.

No, can't say I have. However you seem to just use various media forms as a way of manipulating others making you a total dbag, congrats.

You make a facinating point. Lyrics can be totally random or subjective to their writer and the music in back will supply all kinds of shifting charges of emotion and sense. If you make your words too concrete you just get dull hacked lyrics 'My Way' whatever. Over time a lot of lyrics you never understood will make sense from your own deepening experience. Check the way Lou Reed taps his nose at the end of the 'Perfect Day' vid -- what d'you think he was saying there?

I don't think you should pretend to like a band just because it will gain you some kind of stature within your peer group. If you don't listen to the music or identify with them and are just name dropping to be impressive then there is a serious problem with your self confidence. I say like who you like if they are unpopular with your friends then so be it. Be you and you will be much happier. Also I barely see the point in listening to music you don't like or identify with just to be included in that genre of fans. Why not find something that expresses what you feel. I also agree that you don't need to know the exact lyrics or all the lyrics to like a song or group of musicians...take Rammstein for instance, many of their fans don't speak German and will never go to that extreme just to sing along, hell most never even look up what they are saying...I think it's ok. You like what you like.

I also think that most of these people misinterpreted what your post was supposed to say. Sorry for that on so many levels.

~Peace~

You aren't a poser. You listen to whatever you want to listen to. You dont have a get a "meaning" out of it. I'm sure most..(well nowadays at least half) of musicians just want fans to support the music they make because the music makes them feel good. So anyone that says you need to get a "meaning" out of a song is dipsh-t. Unless the artist explicitly says what a songs about, it can be about whatever "you" want it to be. Humans can find meaning in things that have no meaning. Thats how the mind works. It perfectly normal.

I swear. Ignore anyone that calls you a poser. Now if you really dont like the music at all then you are a poser and should be assaulted by angry fans. And you will know if you dont like something.

i don't understand why you would do that. music is soo amazing and to not be sure if you truly like what your listening too is just beyond my understanding. but i did say i liked the misfits before i actually heard them but now i'm a fiend for life.....

poser. lol ;)

You are just behaving as the marketeers of culture would like. "Buy...buy...buy ... THIS." Don't ask "WHY?" Except you are asking. That is good. There is a huge world of culture out there.

i guess its somewhat normal...but i take pride in one upping muthafuckas with artist they never heard..so stay looking for different artist then your friends and throw in their face the artist...

I used to do that without even realising - when I actually admitted to myself I actially thought it was shit I started to have much more fun. I went to clubs that played the music I liked, not ones where I thought I should be seen but actually didn't have fun at.

Admit it to yourself!

Humans are social creatures, we have a need or at least a great desire to fit in to be accepted and to be "liked". All people will exagarated or down play certain ideas, likes, experinces, or actions depending on who they are with. It part of individual behavior within a group, look into sociology individual self within a group. Its amazing what people will do to fit in or feel accepted. Be careful don't lose your true self by pretending you are someone you are not. As you get older you will feel more comfortable with who you are and not do it as much. All people want to be percieved a certain way and will lie or fib or scew facts if they think it will result in them being more readily percieved in the way they want. No big deal. Yes everyone does it.

Well, no, that's the thing. I DO like them. It's just weird, compared to my other tastes in music. I just know I'd be made fun of by every other musician I know if it got out. :)

Well, if you're forcing yourself to like it, then...you don't. Just listen to whatever you really like, no matter what it is. Take me, for instance. I love stuff like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Captain Beefheart, John Coltrane, Radiohead, et cetera. But a while back, I somehow started liking Paramore. How the f*ck did that happen?!? The point is...I forgot. Crap.

I'm sure it's normal. I wouldn't do it. It seems just a little silly, especially the part about jealousy. I just admit my ignorance about music up front, which usually leads to people teaching me about their favorite music. It's pretty fun that way. I end up learning more about people.

Jim_Pfoss:
I don't think musicians write intentionally ambiguous lyrics. At least not to the point where the listener has absolutely no idea what they're singing about, which is what i'm describing. and that's mostly my fault...

flikr: can't help you much with the self-confidence. haven't figured that one out for myself either...with the money, i say put it all in to concerts, forget the clothes, and there goes half your costs. you don't need the clothes to enjoy the concerts!

sort of off topic...beyond the poseur feelings that bug me, i worry what the musicians would think if they were to ever find out (which, of course, would never happen). i'm sure they put a lot of care into writing the words to their songs, and for a supposed fan to dismiss them entirely, i'd guess, would be pretty insulting. it makes me feel a little guilty!

Nobody "knows" what lyrics mean. They're supposed to be ambiguous. If you want to assign meaning, it's up to you.

i'm the total opposite of you, i listen to all indie emo and screamo music but i dont dress like that scene and i have no friends that like that music and i sometimes wont even admit i like it

your a fake hipster