Firstly, I should explain that the title is a reference to a DJ Hazard tune. I’m not a fan of it much myself, but you can listen to it here if you so wish.

Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about the role of music in our lives, and, more specifically, music that has a negative affect on us emotionally, mentally, etc. It may make us angry, depressed, agitated, cynical, pessimistic, hopeless, whatever. The point is, it doesn’t necessarily make us “happy”, therefore it’s ultimate effect is a negative one. Why then, if it has a negative effect on us, do we listen to it?

As many of you may know, I’m a heavy metal fan. I’m definitely not as much of a heavy metal fan as I used to be, but since I was first introduced to heavy metal at the age of 9 or so (I must admit, it was via Slipknot!) I have listened to it and loved it. In my old age though, even though I’m nowhere near old, I’m straying further and further away from heavy metal, but that’s besides the point. The point is, I like heavy metal. Heavy metal is seen as a “negative” musical genre, and I somewhat agree. One of my favourite sub-genres of heavy metal is “black metal” (click on the link for a description if you are unsure on its meaning), easily one of the most depressing, dark and “negative” genres of music. Yet, despite its negativity, I can’t stop listening to it. There’s something about that negativity that I can associate with, and I seem to thrive on the fact that it makes me feel like crap. Weird, huh? The same can be said for hardcore punk music (again, click the link for a description, if needed), one of the most angry genres of music; although it depends what type of hardcore punk you listen to, as there are many bands that play a very positive and upbeat style. Despite the fact that 99% of the hardcore punk bands that I listen to make me feel angry, and often cynical and pessimistic, I can’t help but listen to them and enjoy them. Why do we enjoy listening to music that makes us feel bad? What is it about this negative music that we find so positive? It’s definitely odd and it’s a question that has been puzzling me for a long time.

Even though I love and appreciate heavy metal, I also love and appreciate upbeat, happy indie pop and cheesy 80s dance tunes. They make me happy. Surely, if we are aiming to increase our happiness through music, we should all listen to upbeat, happy indie pop or cheesy 80s dance tunes? Surely, it does not make any sense at all to listen to music when we know its outcome on us will be negative? Yet, despite this, leather-clad Scandinavians will listen to depressing black metal and 13-year-old emo kids will cry over My Chemical Romance and Dashboard Confessional.

What is it about depressing music and its depressive outcomes on us that is so appealing?