Music is something everyone listens to. Everyone also has their own preference in music.

But why?

Why does one person listen to music strictly from the 70s, when someone else listens to music that’s just 90s Hip Hop?

One, it just comes with how you think of yourself. Do you consider yourself “rebellious?” Then you will probably listen to Heavy Metal. It’s like that for all kinds of music.

If you’re into music so much that it’s all you do, you might listen to something a little more obscure like jazz or classical. Music works with our minds like that.

Another reason might be how you were raised.

If you grow up in a house where all you hear is Led Zeppelin, you’re probably going to like Led Zeppelin. That’s just how those things work.

My mom grew up in the 60s and 70s and was a young adult in the 80s, so I heard a lot of music from those time periods. Although, it doesn’t work all the time. My dad listens to country, and I still don’t really like it. But that just reflects how he grew up listening to music.

But, why do people stay on one genre?

Well, they probably just don’t like the other kinds of music. Seriously, that’s it. It’s going to be hard for the Beatles freak who loves music from the 60s to really get into anything that Childish Gambino makes ever.

But it can be different with others. My iPod has the Beatles, Phish, Childish Gambino and Blink 182. Music is a big part of my life, so I get out of my comfort zone and try new music. Some people just don’t like that. They like familiarity and knowing what they’re going into.

But I challenge you to try some new music. Ask your friends what you should check out. But don’t ever tease someone for what music they like.

Here are some artists I recommend from each decade of music, starting with the 1950s.

1950s
1. Elvis Presley

2. Chuck Berry
3. Little Richard
4. Buddy Holly
5. Ray Charles

1960s

1. The Beatles
2. The Rolling Stones
3. The Beach Boys
4. Jimi Hendrix
5. Bob Dylan

1970s

1. Led Zeppelin
2. The Eagles
3. Fleetwood Mac
4. Elton John
5. Pink Floyd

1980s

1. Michael Jackson
2. Prince
3. U2
4. Madonna
5. Bruce Springsteen

1990s

1. Nirvana
2. Pearl Jam
3. Dr. Dre
4. 2-Pac
5. Notorious B.I.G.

2000s/Now

1. Taylor Swift
2. Justin Bieber
3. Britney Spears
4. Justin Timberlake
5. Kanye West