By Minh Ngoc Le
Let me guess. You’re lying on your bed on a Thursday night, immersed in the warm glow of your phone, trying to pick the perfect playlist to accompany your mood. As you scroll on, you can’t help but venture into your friends’ profiles, skimming through their followings, curated playlists and even reading their playlist descriptions.
It may seem silly to over-analyze your friend’s playlists. But little do you know, the composition of a Spotify playlist speaks volumes about a person. Ranging from their personality to relationship statuses, song choices and overall music preferences can provide insights into various aspects of an individual’s life.
Let’s delve deeper into what your Spotify profile might reveal about you.
Emotional State and Mood
Beyond individual song choices, the overarching emotional trend of a playlist can unveil a person’s emotional state over time. Is it a rollercoaster of energetic highs and calm lows, or does it consistently exert a specific mood?
A collection of songs filled with energetic, upbeat tunes may suggest a cheerful and fun-loving personality, someone who thrives on positivity and energy. On the flip side, a playlist dominated by melancholic melodies could indicate a subdued personality with a tendency for introspection.
Nostalgia and Memories
Do you have a playlist for those 2000’s classics, mid-summer hits, or graduation moods? Nostalgia, described as a strong sense of longing or affection for the past, is a common feeling amongst all ages. Whether it is a recent trip to Japan or a childhood stroll in the park, there is nothing better than a song to bring you back to those memories.
According to the University of Southampton, “When engaging in nostalgic reflection, people report a stronger sense of belongingness, convey higher continuity between their past and their present; and describe their lives as more meaningful.”
Those who are nostalgic tend to be more appreciative of what they have, allowing them to live a life with gratitude. By taking a moment to acknowledge the things they’re grateful for, these people can obtain a more positive mood, boosting their strength in the face of challenges.
Social and Cultural Influences
Staying up ‘till midnight for that Taylor Swift ticket, driving to a Noah Kahan song, or singing your heart out to “Ribs” by Lorde? The overall trend of genres within a playlist can provide insight into a person’s media consumption and overarching interests.
A person whose playlist is dominated by K-RNB is most likely to take an hour’s drive just to try a trending Korean cafe shop; while a playlist overflowing with party songs may suggest a person who prefers going out on a Friday night more than anything else.
Recognizing a person’s interest may open a door for deeper understanding, allowing the formation of more meaningful relationships and genuine connections. As a person’s characteristics are often reflected in their music choices, noticing their taste can help unveil aspects of their personality that may not be evident on the outside.
Organization and Attention to Detail
Do you have a playlist named “My Playlist #27” with a default album collage as the playlist cover? If so, you probably don’t care about the overall aesthetic of your Spotify profile.
However, there are those who spend hours curating the perfect playlist description and choosing a photo for each of their collections- a modernistic cafe for a chill playlist, a childhood photo for the “2016 throwbacks,” and the “F” they got on a test for a study motivation playlist.
Though it may be small, these details can transfer over to a person’s real life, showcasing their meticulous nature and attention to detail. The care they put into each playlist suggests an organized personality while also unveiling a creative mind.
Relationship Status
If you see your crush having a shared playlist with someone, especially with the title ❤️🔥, be sure to take note, as shared playlists can unveil a close relationship that’s unknown to the public view.
Sharing music, like anything close to one’s heart, can be considered a language of love. The songs selected could unveil shared memories, inside jokes, or even unspoken flirts between two people. As such, inspecting the tunes inside can provide a closer look at what type of relationship two people have, whether it is close friends bonding over hit songs or crushes sending signals to each other!
Many may not publicly show their relationships or share out about their personal lives. However, by analyzing their shared playlists, you can get a glimpse into the intimate connections and unspoken sentiments that secretly blossoming to life.
