By Stephanie Astorga
We may believe we have control when choosing the songs we listen to, but have you ever considered how music controls you? Here are ten ways music influences your behaviors in ways you may not realize:
1. Shopping
Have you ever walked around a mall and heard a song you liked playing in a store that compelled you to walk into it? Research has shown that familiar and liked music increases the chances you’ll enter a store and enjoy your shopping experience. Music influences everything from which stores you approach to how long you stay, to even how much money you spend. Stores that play music attract more customers than those that don’t, and playing music people dislike is actually worse than playing nothing at all. Even the tempo and volume of the songs played in a store matter. Slow tempo, softer, familiar music keeps people in stores longer, which leads to more browsing and more spending. So yes, whoever has the store aux in a store is low-key influencing your bank account.
2. Working out
Let’s be real, your workout playlist can make or break your session. Without a good playlist, the whole workout is doomed. Music improves one’s exercise performance by distracting them from the pain, effort, and fatigue experienced during the workout. It also boosts your mood and can even help your body move more efficiently. Fast-paced songs (ranging from 120 to 145 bpm) are especially effective because your body naturally syncs to the beat. The lyrics of a song matter too, as they set the mindset of the workout. The more you relate to the song, the more motivated you become. So this is your sign to make that workout playlist with intentionality.
3. Social groups
Do you and your friends have similar music tastes? That’s no coincidence. Shared music tastes can form or strengthen friendships and even enhance attractiveness. I mean, some of the best experiences in the world are blasting belting at the top of your lungs some of your favorite songs with your day ones. It wouldn’t be as fun for someone who had to look up the lyrics. So if you ever want to make friends or look for your soulmate, stalk those Instagram highlights and find out their top artists to make your move.
4. Self expression
Music says a lot about who you are. From Instagram stories to car aux choices, people are intentional about the music they share because it signals identity. Studies have shown that people, especially youth, are careful about the music they identify with and share with others because it serves as a way to communicate personality, values, and vibe without saying a word.
5. Subculture
Music isn’t just entertainment, it’s a subculture that people strategically choose to be a part of. Each musical genre carries its unique norms, values, language, and expectations. For example, indie, punk, rap, and EDM all carry different aesthetics and communities. The difference is that, unlike the culture you’re born into, music subcultures are chosen. When you align yourself with a genre, you’re also stepping into its world.
6. Social class
Your music taste can even signal social class. In one of my classes, a professor said people from working-class backgrounds often engage deeply with a narrower range of genres, while those with more social and cultural capital tend to have broader, more diverse tastes. This is something called a “cultural omnivore”, someone who can appreciate everything from country concerts to rap shows to classical performances. It’s not just about money; it’s about exposure, access, and openness to different cultural experiences.
7. Perception of others
We use music as a shortcut to judge people. You might assume someone who listens to EDM is more energetic than someone who likes jazz. Maybe you’ll think they’re sophisticated. These quick judgments happen automatically. Have you ever shared a playlist with someone and added a couple of songs to impress the other person? Or when you’re on aux, and you purposely skip that one song that will make the whole carpool question you. We know music sends a message, even if we don’t say it out loud.
8. Emotional expression
Sometimes music says what we can’t. When times are too tough or amazing to express, a good song that sets the vibe can say all the things you were feeling. For instance, playing sad music when you are sad can help you process and express that emotion. Or when you are celebratory, putting on happy music that is upbeat and in a major key will match your energy and elevate your mood. So don’t suppress it, EXPRESS IT, and press play!
9. Emotional expression
First, let me start by explaining effervescence. This word means that something is bubbling up. Now, what does this have to do with music? Have you ever been to a concert and the artist plays your favorite song, and all of a sudden, the stranger next to you is singing, and before you know it, the whole stadium is full of energy, singing this song with you? Now you are full of energy, singing your favorite song, and feel this energy of unity. That shared emotional energy is collective effervescence. A previous professor of mine shared that singing together in concerts creates collective experiences for people that may have them feeling emotions such as awe, wonder, and joy. It’s also why concerts, festivals, and even church music can feel so intense; they create shared emotional experiences that stick with you!
10. Identification with music genre
We all want to be unique in our own way, but not too unique to the point where we are considered too weird to be liked. When it comes to music, this shows up in how we choose what we identify with. It’s not just about liking a song; it’s about what that music says about who we are and what kind of group we belong to. Usually, we don’t just identify with one song or artist but with a genre or sound like indie, alternative R&B, or mainstream pop because those categories signal a certain vibe and community. Think about the first time you heard the catchy pop song Expresso by Sabrina Carpenter. At the time, liking that kind of polished pop felt a little more niche. But once that sound is everywhere, like TikTok, in stores, on the radio, it stops feeling like a unique part of your identity and starts feeling like something everyone shares.
And when that happens, people don’t always stop liking the music, but they might stop identifying with it in the same way. You might be less likely to call it your favorite, less likely to center it in your playlists, or start exploring slightly less mainstream artists or subgenres instead. It’s a subtle shift, but it helps you maintain that balance of standing out while still fitting in. In the end, we tend to identify most with music that sits in the middle, distinct enough to feel unique, but familiar enough to keep us connected.
These are some ways music can influence you in different aspects of your life. So next time you walk into a store, add a song to your Instagram, or judge someone’s playlist, take a second to think about what’s really going on behind the scenes.
A lot of these ideas come from what I learned in my COMM 179 Music Communication class, which completely changed the way I think about music. If you ever get the chance to take it, I highly recommend it; you’ll never listen to music the same way again.