Section 1.1: A Personal Journey Through Music

On my 13th or 14th birthday, my father gifted me a boombox along with several CDs. Among them were Neil Young's Harvest, and greatest-hits compilations from bands like the Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, and the Steve Miller Band. He selected these albums as they were significant to him during his youth in Northern California and Oregon. Even before I played them, I was drawn to them simply because they were his favorites.

Neil Young's music, particularly the wistful opening track "Out on the Weekend," resonated deeply with me. This song has been a comforting presence during tough times, evoking a reflective state reminiscent of a character from Seinfeld who becomes lost in thought while listening to "Desperado."

Last year, while researching the psychological benefits of music, I stumbled upon a study titled “Why Do Depressed People Prefer Sad Music?” This 2020 publication in the journal Emotion echoed prior findings indicating that individuals with major depressive disorder often gravitate towards music that reflects their feelings. The authors questioned why those experiencing depression might be drawn to sadder, lower-energy tunes. They proposed two potential reasons.

The first reason suggests that the soothing qualities of sad music might help alleviate stress. The authors noted that such music often features a slow tempo and flowing melodies, making it appealing for those seeking tranquility. The second reason involved what they referred to as "emotional inertia," where individuals in sadness may gravitate toward music that echoes their emotional state, a tendency they deemed potentially harmful as it might exacerbate feelings of sorrow.

To my surprise, the researchers did not consider the possibility that melancholic music could provide deeper emotional insights to both those in pain and those who are not. Their work portrayed a preference for somber music as a paradox, implying that those suffering from depression should engage with upbeat music to shift their emotional state.

Even when their findings indicated that listeners with depression felt uplifted after engaging with sad music, they primarily attributed this effect to the calming nature of the music, missing a broader perspective. (I attempted to reach the lead author for further discussion but received no response.)

Section 1.2: The Complexity of Emotional Experience

This study has lingered in my mind, illuminating a common shortcoming in contemporary psychology—its inclination to oversimplify emotional experiences with labels like "positive" or "negative."

Music and art, conversely, enrich and deepen our emotional landscape.

“It’s entirely possible to find comfort in sadness,” I learned from Dr. Mary Beth Oliver, a professor of media studies at Penn State University. In our conversation, she highlighted that when we engage with art that evokes sadness, we are often seeking insight into life’s larger questions—such as purpose and human virtue.

Instead of labeling it merely as "sad," she favors descriptors like "meaningful," "poignant," or "bittersweet." During challenging times, these forms of media can help us process our emotions, allowing us to come to terms with our feelings. “It’s definitely okay to feel good about feeling sad at times,” she emphasized, acknowledging the richness of our emotional experiences.

Poignant music and art can foster a sense of connection among us. I find solace in listening to songs by unfamiliar artists that articulate my feelings perfectly. This realization reinforces the notion that we are not truly alone in our experiences. “Media can illustrate how we share commonalities,” Oliver noted, “linking us to something larger than ourselves.”