Haven’t you ever wondered where some people get their musical tastes from? I mean, every song, every artist someone likes probably has a story behind why they like the song or artist. I know for me I found some of my favorite singers/bands by some incredibly interesting ways, and their music spoke to me for a number of reasons.
I remember when I was 16 and I heard U2 for the first time (well, the first time when I realized it was them) on the radio on the way back from camp meeting that summer. The song was “Lemon,” and it was playing on an alternative music station, back when alt stations actually played music that wouldn’t have classified as mainstream. But I heard the song, and I was hooked. Now they’re my favorite band.
But you wouldn’t think I was a U2 fan if you just looked at me, because music is something that is personal, something internal that can’t be seen on the outside. That’s one of the things about music, that it can bring people together who wouldn’t otherwise have anything in common. It’s like magic, but you don’t know what music someone else likes unless you ask them or they tell you. Today, around the water cooler, we talked about what our music says about us.
Me: I bet I can tell what kind of music you listen to?
Teddy: Try me.
Me: I’m thinking you have a sensitive spirit, so maybe… 1970s groove, like Marvin Gaye.
Teddy: Guess again. I like that sensitive spirit stuff though.
Me: Marilyn Manson?
Teddy: Not quite.
LeRoy: I liked me some Marilyn Manson back in the day.
Me: Why doesn’t that surprise me?
LeRoy: So what else do I like?
Me: I’m thinking… Coldplay.
LeRoy: Keep thinking. Although I am a child of the 90s.
Me: Snoop Dogg?
Teddy: I think maybe more like Green Day.
LeRoy: Yeah, that’s right!
Me: I got kicked out of a Green Day concert once.
Teddy: I can’t picture you liking Green Day.
Me: Why not?
Teddy: Because you seem more like a Megadeth kinda guy.
LeRoy: I bet you he likes them too.
Me: Guilty as charged. But I like a whole variety of music.
Teddy: What was the last concert you went to?
Me: Some local band you probably never heard of.
Teddy: So you don’t just like mainstream, big label stuff?
Me: Do I look like I like only mainstream, big label stuff?
LeRoy: I do. And I’m proud of it. I don’t have time to find all that small time stuff.
Teddy: Nothing wrong with that. I’m into strong female singers. Like Florence + the Machine.
Me: I love Florence + the Machine!
LeRoy: Who?
Me: Yeah, stick to your Eminem, LeRoy.
LeRoy: Um, I only listen to Eminem when I’m really pissed off.
Me: I wonder how pissed you have to be to listen to Miley Cyrus.
LeRoy: Really pissed.
Teddy: Yeah, I’m not coming around the water cooler when you two are here anymore.
Sam
Sam's Online Journal 
My iTunes played Lemon (the album version) while on shuffle. Frankly, I had forgotten that I had downloaded the single. I think I have a new appreciation for that song…22 years later
I’m listening to the song right now. Fitting.