The psychology of folk music fans, finally explained

Walter Smith8 said:Look, this is a post from someone who actually uses their brain... making sweeping generalizations is always risky, especially with something like this. At the end of the day, we're talking about personal taste, and you can't exactly link what someone likes to their IQ score.

We could use that same logic to debate lovers of fine art versus people who dig kitsch. If we started calling everyone stupid just because they preferred one over the other, we’d just come off as narrow-minded, intolerant, and frankly, pretty obnoxious.

Personally, I think kitsch is an absolute eyesore and I struggle to get why anyone would enjoy it, but I know plenty of brilliant people who absolutely adore it. It’s the same deal with fans of country music.

That's mostly true. But I personally know quite a few people who are obsessed with country music, and let's just say... they aren't exactly the brightest bulbs in the box.

I really can't stand the worldview of the people I know who listen to mainstream country music.
There’s just something about that genre that gets under my skin; after being exposed to it for more than a few minutes, I start feeling genuinely agitated...

I know exactly what I mean. It’s all about how this kind of music actually reaches people.
Classical music gets "delivered" through fancy concert halls, while folk hits the streets via CDs at dive bars where everyone ends up drunk and picking fights. You find these crowds packed into places, and those record stores are always swarming with all sorts of characters. Then you’ve got the hooligans blasting trashy tunes from their cars, rolling down the windows in some old greasy spoon diner.
Meanwhile, classical music gets labeled as "sophisticated"...
But Goran Bregović? He delivers that same trashy stuff to people in suits, at high-end venues and upscale parties, so suddenly everyone thinks it’s classy.
Am I wrong?

I absolutely loathe it when someone tries to convince me that I’ll eventually grow a taste for country music—it honestly irritates me to the point where I feel like knocking a few of their front teeth out. 🙂
By what logic can anyone possibly conclude what my future musical preferences will be??? It makes zero sense to me. 😕
People who act like such know-it-alls clearly have a massive middle finger to offer. 🙂

Since I live on a different continent, I'm out of the loop on the latest country hits, but I remember this attitude toward country music always being there. I’ve seen it since I was a kid. It's just this subjective perception that ALL country music is garbage and that cool kids only listen to rock.
Objectively, there has always been both trash and high-quality music within the "country" genre.
I grew up in the 80s, listening to Duran Duran, Madonna, Nena, Djavol, David Bowie, Bajaga, Denis & Denis, and so on. Later, I moved on to Azra, EKV, U2, the Cure, and Cult. I wasn't exactly a country fan—I wouldn't go out and buy a tape or hit a concert—but I never thought the whole genre was trash.
There were plenty of talented singers back then, people like Esma Redžepov, Vesna Zmijanac, taj Zdravkovica, and Haris Dzinovic, though there was certainly junk too.
I've always had a soft spot for that Vesna Zmijanac song, "queen of sorrows."

And honestly, those "divas" like Karleuse annoy me too, especially when they can barely sing, but I guess you find those types in the US as well, like Jennifer Lopez.

Lisa Rodriguez84 said:I know exactly what I mean. It’s about how that kind of music actually reaches people.
Classical music gets "distributed" through fancy concert halls, whereas folk-pop hits via records played at places where people get drunk and end up fighting. You find crowds gathered at those venues, and those clubs are always packed with all sorts of characters. And then you have the wild types, cheering for pop singers on the street in old beat-up cars with the windows rolled down.
Meanwhile, classical music holds this "highbrow" status...
But Goran Bregović, he carries that pop energy through people in suits, concert halls, and upscale parties, so even the crowd outside ends up appreciating that style of music.
Am I right?

Personally, I think it would be interesting to try and define the psychological gap between the alternative crowd—you know, the rockers, the electronic dance fans, and other "mass appeal" listeners—on one side, and the hardcore pop-country types on the other.

Often, urban music is blasted loudly too. When R&B and Rock n' Roll first showed up in the 50s, the older generation was absolutely horrified; they probably wanted to ban the very spots where kids in black leather jackets hung out, listening to that "wild" music and occasionally getting into scuffles...

Look, I don't actually hate any specific genre of music. If it’s not my thing, I just... don't listen to it. It's really that simple. If I'm forced into a situation where I have to endure a few hours of stuff I can't stand, fine, I'll suffer through it, but if I get the chance, I'll try to put on my own playlist.
But there is absolutely no way I'm going to act like some desperate attention-seeker in public, whining about what everyone else is listening to just so people will notice me and hear my "expert" opinion on why a song sucks... I honestly couldn't care less. For instance, I keep up with everything from rock to metal and all that, but I rarely actually sit down to listen to it. Why is it that instead of just tuning out the pop trash, people feel the need to start a massive scene and crave the spotlight?

arna said:Look, taste is subjective, and everyone has the right to listen to whatever they want. But the real issue with this "pop-country" trash—this low-rent, manufactured junk—isn't just about the sound. It’s what it does to people. It taps into these primal, low-brow impulses. It leads to broken glass, total loss of control, and zero inhibitions. More often than not, it ends in aggression and mindless brawling.

It really gets under my skin when these listeners act like the entire neighborhood is obligated to suffer through their playlist at max volume. It says everything you need to know about their ability to coexist with others. You never see someone blasting Beethoven or Bach from their car, or even Deep Purple or Metallica.

If they kept it to themselves, I wouldn't care. We aren't all on the same intellectual or cultural level, after all. But when they act like they can just barge in and drown out everyone else with their noise? That’s when you get pushback from anyone who actually values a bit of decorum.

👍 🙏

Kimberly Anderson22 said:Even putting aside the wild, emotional lack of taste, the actual sound itself is what gets under my skin—it’s like some sort of Middle Eastern electronic zurna...

There are probably plenty of other things that rub people the wrong way. Come on, let's hear it... Put 😁your distaste into words.

You know, I actually really dig that Middle Eastern vibe. And mind you, I don't usually listen to country music at all. For me, it's more like the sound of a banjo that just grates on my nerves. Usually, I'm much more into classical music. Does that say something about my psychological profile?😬

spy said:I was talking about snobbery.
If some guy singing cheesy pop today somehow managed to sell out globally like Bregović, those same people who trash mainstream pop would be bowing down to him tomorrow.

Look, you're kind of overthinking it. There isn't a single pop star playing low-brow hits right now who could actually break it internationally like Goran Bregović. It's simple: Bregović is just an objectively incredible musician, whether people dig that sound or not. Saying he's popular just because he happens to get played worldwide is a pretty shallow take. By that logic, Vlatko Stefanovski would be in the same boat.
Same goes for someone like Esma Redžepov, Kočan orkestar, Šaban Bajramović, or even the Mostar Sevdah reunion... but that's ethno music, which is a totally different beast. Comparing trashy pop to authentic ethno is just a reach.

Daniel Chavez14 said:Look, I actually dig that Middle Eastern vibe. Not that I listen to country music or anything—the sound of a banjo just drives me nuts. Usually, I'm more into classical stuff. Does that say something about my psychological profile?😬

Yeah, specifically for someone who doesn't have the slightest clue what a psychological profile even is...😂 😂
👍

Lisa Rodriguez84 said:I don't hate any specific genre. If I'm not listening to something—well, I'm just not listening to it, simple as that. If I have to, I'll endure a few hours of stuff I can't stand, but if I get the chance, I'll try to play my own stuff instead.
But there's no way I'm acting like some desperate attention-seeker in public just because I dislike certain music—trying to force everyone to listen to me rant about why a song sucks... I just don't care. For instance, I follow everything from rock to metal and all that, but I rarely actually play it...So why is it that instead of just ignoring country music, people start hyperventilating and fishing for attention?

It’s an interesting question—honestly, the psychological profile of these people is probably a much more fascinating study than the actual music they're complaining about...
...I mean, how low is their tolerance level? How does it feel to act so high-and-mighty? How do they view themselves in the world, and why do they feel so threatened in that moment? Is it possible they're just deeply insecure—using "cool" or "urban" music to build this persona they want the world to see—so if they ever accidentally slip up and enjoy some country hits, their whole identity falls apart?
...Let's talk it out—what kind of psychological profiles are we looking at here? What goes on in those heads? And if you're one of them, spill it—what are you actually so afraid of?

Jacob Long said:That’s actually a fascinating question. Honestly, I think studying the psychological profile of people who listen to that kind of music is way more interesting than looking at the artists themselves...
...I mean, how low is their tolerance level? How do they feel when things get messy? How do they view themselves in this world, and why do they feel so threatened in those moments? Is it possible that deep down they are incredibly insecure, and by choosing "cool" or "urban" music, they're just crafting an image of who they want to be? Then, if they ever accidentally veer toward mainstream pop or country and someone catches them, their whole persona just collapses...
...Let's unpack this a bit. What do you all think these psychological profiles look like? What goes on inside those heads? And if you happen to be one of them, tell us about your experience—what exactly are you so afraid of?

👍
Finally, a post that actually dives into psychology. (And this is the psychology subforum, isn't it?)

The focus here isn't our personal take on music or individual tastes, but rather the "profile" of the people who actually listen to it. While it might be impossible to completely dodge discussions about musical preference, let's try to keep that to a minimum.

As for my thoughts on the matter:
I’ll propose two hypotheses:
A) The negative stigma attached to fans of folk-pop and that genre in general isn't a result of the music itself, but rather the social circles it emerged from and the environments that embraced it.
B) While certain groups with similar backgrounds or life situations may have been the primary audience originally, this music has become mainstream today—especially among the youth, where even middle schoolers are listening. Consequently, it is now nearly impossible to define a single "profile" for its listeners. It has spread across all walks of life...

It would be much easier to discuss a profile for classical music listeners, simply because they are a smaller group and likely share more similar socio-psychological traits than fans of pop-folk.
To put it in perspective, think about cell phones. Remember how ten or twelve years ago, you could almost tell a person's status just by the phone they carried? Today, everyone has one.
Whether we like it or not, listening to this type of music is becoming a standard part of American culture. Regardless of whether it is socially "acceptable" or approved of, you can no longer pigeonhole every listener into one specific category based on their characteristics.

First off, I’d like to highlight a few posts that actually align with my perspective:

Regardless of the fact that taste is subjective and everyone has the right to listen to whatever they want, the issue with this commercialized "pop-country" trash—call it whatever you want—is that it stirs up low, primitive energies in people. It tends to result in broken glass, total lack of restraint, a complete loss of social inhibitions, and often ends in aggressive behavior or fights.

It’s irritating how listeners of this stuff seem to think the entire neighborhood should be forced to endure it at max volume, which really just speaks to their level of consideration for others. You never hear someone blasting Beethoven or Bach, or even Deep Purple or Metallica, from their car.

If they kept it to themselves, I suppose it wouldn't bother anyone, since we aren't all on the same cultural or intellectual wavelength. But when they act on this principle of "we're here to disrupt the peace," it naturally triggers a reaction from those who don't care for that kind of noise.

🙏 🙏

I think it would be interesting to try and define the psychological difference between alternative fans, rockers, and electronic dance enthusiasts versus the crowd that gravitates toward this mainstream trash.

Quote:

I was thinking more along the lines of snobbery. If some guy singing commercial garbage today somehow managed to find international success like Goran Bregović, the same crowd that spits on this music today would probably be bowing down to him tomorrow. I think you might be relativizing that a bit too much. There isn't a single modern pop-trash singer who is going to break out globally like Goran Bregović. Quite simply, because he is an objectively exceptional musician, whether people like his style or not. So, suggesting people listen to him just because he happens to be heard worldwide is, I guess, somewhat unintelligent. By that logic, Vlatko Stefanovski would fall into the same category. I could say the same for someone like Esma Redžepov, the Kočan orkestar, Šaban Bajramović, or the Mostar Sevdah reunion... but that’s ethnic music, which is entirely different. It feels misplaced to correlate commercial trash with genuine ethnic traditions.

It seems the distinction between commercial trash and actual folk/ethnic music has been made clear enough, so I won't dwell on it further.

Furthermore, I've noticed among the listeners of this junk I know that they are almost always people who, before "converting," listened to standard pop or dance music. They weren't typically into alternative scenes—rock (not pop-rock), punk, metal, jazz, classical, ambient, etc. That's just my observation, and I'll leave it to the "psychologists" to draw any connections. My take is that these are mostly people drawn to easy melodies, and I'd rather not comment on their intelligence to avoid offending anyone!🙂

What I find genuinely bizarre and fascinating is the sheer fanaticism of the people who listen to this music. In my opinion, it's incredibly banal—the lyrics are pretty mindless, the melodies feel completely formulaic, and honestly, even my own ears are irritated by the sound of those cheap electronic/harmonica/synth "instruments." I suppose it will always be a mystery to me what drives someone to listen to something so low-quality with such intense passion!😕

A typical country-pop scene = easy chords + stupid lyrics + aggressive, angry guys + bleached bimbos 🙂+ weapons + shady characters in black leather jackets (basically the mob aesthetic). Of course, you can't generalize everything, and these elements exist in all walks of life, but you can't ignore the fact that they are concentrated and stereotyped alongside this kind of music. And let's face it, stereotypes usually aren't entirely without merit!

That’s just my two cents! 👋

Sarah Scott68 Walter Smith8 said:I’ve noticed a pattern among the fans of mainstream country music I run into. Most of them seem to have spent their younger years listening to top 40 hits, dance tracks, and other commercial radio fluff. They don't typically have a background in anything more complex—no rock, no punk, no metal, let alone jazz, classical, or ambient music. This is just an observation on my part; I'll leave it to the psychologists to try and draw some deep connections from it. My take? These listeners simply gravitate toward easy melodies. I won't comment on their intelligence levels; I'd rather not offend anyone. 🙂

Are you trying to suggest that people who gravitate toward easy listening are somehow less intelligent?
I have to disagree with that. To be honest, music doesn't hold much weight for me. I enjoy listening to decent tunes now and then, but I rarely sit down and actually engage with it. For me, it’s mostly just background noise. That's about it.
Am I prone to easy listening? I couldn't tell you. I mostly stick to American music, and I don't bother analyzing the technical complexity of the compositions. I don't even make an effort to translate the lyrics; they aren't really my priority.
It might be worth considering whether people who gravitate toward more complex musical genres tend to possess higher average intelligence than the general population. Of course, we have to be careful with the logic here—just because all high-IQ listeners enjoy challenging music doesn't mean everyone who does is a genius. Correlation isn't causation.
Beyond just appreciating complex musical structures, you actually need a solid foundation in music theory. Unfortunately, most public schools across America are failing miserably at providing that kind of education.

Sarah Scott68 said:The typical redneck vibe? It’s just bad music, mindless lyrics, aggressive idiots, and bleached-blonde airheads. 🙂Guns and suspicious guys in black leather jackets—the classic mobster look. Look, I’m not saying you can generalize everything; these elements pop up in all walks of life. But you can't ignore the fact that when you pair that aesthetic with certain types of low-brow country music, it becomes a concentrated, predictable stereotype. And let's be honest: stereotypes usually aren't entirely baseless.

They aren't baseless claims, but the trend is shifting. Even elementary schoolers are listening to mainstream country music quite a bit these days. I hear it from several neighbors constantly.
I spent some time working in a high school once... it was always the same story. I’d walk up to a student who had their Discman sitting on the desk and ask, "What are you listening to?" They'd tell me, "Lepa Brena." I'd look around at the rest of the class, and nobody even flinched. To them, it was perfectly normal.
The military... back when I was serving in the US Army, "I've had enough of you too" was the undisputed anthem of every dive bar.
... and I won't bother listing any more.

There’s really no point in bashing people who listen to country music—so I won’t go there. But saying it doesn't matter what kind of music someone likes? That's just nonsense. How can you be dating someone who lives for country hits if you can't even stand the stuff? Where are you guys even going on dates, and what are you listening to while you're out?

We take our high-end tech from Germans, pick up our legal standards from Judges, and grab our style from brands like Cobar 11—then we pull musical influence from our neighbors and fashion from the Italians. And what exactly are we contributing to the mix? It feels like we just sit back while others make fun of how our athletes struggle against their pop stars. Honestly, we’re such an original bunch—if we didn't exist, someone would probably have to invent us just to fill the gap.

Mad Scientist said:

Sarah Scott68 said:In my view, it's mostly just people gravitating toward easy listening, and I wouldn't want anyone to feel insulted by any implications regarding their intelligence! 🙂

So, what you're implying between the lines is that people who prefer easy listening are somehow less intelligent?

I'm not sure if you noticed the smiley face!

But regardless:

Mad Scientist said:Perhaps—and this is a big perhaps—one could argue that people who listen to more complex musical genres are, on average, more intelligent than the rest of the population...

If that holds true, I suppose it might also be worth considering whether those who favor simpler music are, on average, less intelligent than everyone else.

Mad Scientist said:They aren't baseless, though things are changing... most elementary school kids are mostly into mainstream pop. I have plenty of kids like that in my neighborhood.

The example of elementary schoolers doesn't really say anything about stereotypes surrounding mainstream pop fans, other than that kids are impressionable and tend to follow whatever happens to be trendy. Besides, how many of your neighbors or former high school classmates actually listen to jazz? Maybe a few, but they probably don't shout it from the rooftops.

Sarah Scott68 said:In that case, I don't see why it wouldn't be valid to suggest that people who gravitate toward less demanding musical styles are, on average, less intelligent than the rest of the population.

Just because you can prove one group is smarter than average doesn't mean everyone else is automatically below average.
It is entirely possible for others to sit right at the median.
If members of one minority group are shown to be more intelligent than average, does that logically force the conclusion that a different minority group is less intelligent than average?
Besides, there is always overlap between populations—people listen to both genres.

Gerald Rivera60 said:Just because you prove one group is smarter than average doesn't mean another group is automatically below average.
You can just as easily show they're right at the average level.
If members of one minority are more intelligent than the average, does that necessarily imply that members of another minority are less intelligent than the average?

If we keep going down this rabbit hole, we might as well move this thread over to Philosophy, because it's pretty clear we aren't going to agree on the logic here. Besides, I guess intelligence itself is overrated and doesn't tell us much about someone's actual character. There are plenty of examples of highly intelligent people who lack any real substance or haven't actually achieved anything in life, and then there are others who are the exact opposite.

To avoid an off-topic derailment—even though I suppose you can pick up certain traits from someone's musical taste—I think it's impossible to build a complete psychological profile based solely on what someone listens to. However, given what was highlighted, you could probably make some general (not individual) assumptions about people who listen to country music.

Gerald Rivera60 said:Not to mention, it's entirely possible that these populations overlap—meaning there are people who listen to both genres.

I'm not sure there are many instances where the crowd listening to country music overlaps with those listening to more complex or demanding genres.