The same song hits different.

February 24, 2026 9

When you hear a song, did you know that someone else likely hears it completely differently?

What is this wizardry? You must explain yourself!

There are plenty of reasons why, and over food/drinks/recreational activities* it’s been debated for a while.

Why is it, that old mate over here likes Elton John, but this guy doesn’t? It’s not Elton’s fault, it’s the intake of his music in that moment that makes all the difference. It’s complex, but here’s a breakdown to make sense of it.

Your memories attach themselves to music.
The brain links songs to specific moments in your life. A breakup song to you might be someone else’s wedding song. The emotion isn’t in the music, it’s in the memory attached to it.
Your nervous system is unique.
Some people have a more reactive emotional system.The same minor chord progression might feel devastating to one person and barely register for another.
Lyrics aren’t processed equally.
Some people focus on melody, whilst others deeply process words. If you’re lyric-sensitive, you’re reacting to the story. If you’re melody-sensitive, you’re reacting to sound patterns
Your current mood changes everything.
Music doesn’t just create emotion, it amplifies what’s already there.
Sad + sad song = catharsis.
Happy + sad song = nostalgia.
Your cultural background shapes interpretation.
Certain rhythms, scales, and vocal styles carry emotional meaning depending on what you grew up hearing. What sounds melancholic in one culture might sound romantic in another.

Watch this video of a sad song. You might struggle to get past the cheesy videoclip, but try listening without watching. Different story.

What about love songs?

Some people say I love you, and others say it through a song. Often this is therapy enough to improve communication, address trauma, and foster healthier relationship dynamics.

Music isn’t just something we enjoy in relationships. It’s something we use to express them. What’s your musical love language?

We all have one so here is how the 5 love languages show up in music:

Words of affirmation = Lyrics

If this is your love language, you tend to:
❤️ Send specific lyrics instead of long texts
❤️ Say “this song reminds me of you”
❤️ Use music to say what you struggle to verbalise

For you, music = emotional articulation.