I’m a music lover. My full time job is to love music. So, obviously, music comes up in my everyday conversations a lot. When I talk about music with someone who I’ve never discussed it with before my first question is usually “What do you listen to?”. It seems like about 50% of the time the answer is one of my biggest pet peeves of all time.
“I like everything.”
Great. What’s everything? That answer drives me up the wall. I’m trying to figure out what type of music we can talk about, but when you give me the everything answer that leaves me with nothing. Most of the time I need to stop myself from asking about a really obscure band or style. If I’m feeling nice, I’ll ask what your favorite bands are and get a clearer picture from there.
Before I go further, let me be clear that I understand everyone has unique tastes. I actually love hearing about the really random music you’ve found along the way. Most people have a surprise hiding in their music libraries. It’s part of the reason I love music: everyone can have a very different view on it.
Now here’s my problem with the everything answer. You cannot possibly like everything. Why? Music is so diverse and so widespread that no one person can possibly get to all of it in one lifetime, let alone even like all of it. I can barely get to everything I need to at work, and I’m only dealing with music directed at one particular audience. Even in my huge piles of CDs are a number of styles you may never hear.
Do you still think you like “everything”? Alright, let’s take a look at my library. One of the more unique items is from Sarahan desert band Tinariwen. They play terrific African blues with really creative rhythms characteristic of music from the region.
So you’ve heard of them? Alright, try this one on for size. If you’re a blues fan, how far back does your library go? Most people can pick up B.B. King or Muddy Waters, but what about guys like Sonny Boy Williamson, Howlin’ Wolf, or Son House and his song “Death Letter Blues”?
One more example. Everyone knows Robert Plant and his days with Led Zeppelin and many know his latest work in Americana music. Have you heard any of his 80’s stuff? Well, here’s a little taste with “Heaven Knows”.
So those are some of the surprises in my collection. I know you have some in yours that I don’t have and likely never will. When you think about all the different styles out there like rock, blues, jazz, R&B, latin, soul, and the countless others, there’s no way to say you truly enjoy everything. Heck, even those styles have different subcategories within them. Also remember that your definition of “everything” is different from everyone else’s. We all have different life experiences and have been exposed to music differently. To a certain extent, your tastes can be formed by the music you’ve been able to hear.
Personally, I have styles I want to explore more. I know the major jazz artists but have never delved deep enough into jazz as a whole. My classic R&B and soul library is a sad sight considering how I love artists like Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and others. Honestly, I’ve never had the opportunity to hear latin artists that I probably should. I just haven’t been able to pick up on the EDM scene that’s pretty hot right now. I have gaps in my music knowledge just like everyone else.
So please, if I’ve never talked music with you, answer this question well should I ask it. Tell me your favorite bands or let me know about your personal music discovery. I want to know. Even just tell me about the most recent band you’re really into. The only thing I do not want to hear out of your mouth is “everything”. Just know you’ve been warned if you answer this way on a bad day.