Does music make you very emotional?

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Someone mentioned this on another website about ASD. They said that music really knocks them out and makes them feel very emotional. I was curious whether this is an autistic thing, because it has that effect on me.

Some people say that listening to sad songs when they are sad actually makes them feel better. For me, that's the last thing I want to do when I am sad. It would just overwhelm me. But I get that effect from music that is very bright and energetic too, like pop punk, which is my favorite style of music. It kind of riles me up and makes me overly excited, but also emotional as in it makes me feel too much, more than I want to.

When someone very close to me died several years ago, I didn't listen to music (at least not intentionally) for two years. I say "intentionally" because you hear music anyway, whether it's in a store or as part of a TV show. I often have to mute TV programs when music comes on. Or if I'm at the supermarket and a song that I know well comes on, especially from another era in my life, it upsets me and sometimes I just want to leave the store. On the other hand, music I don't know well doesn't have as much of an effect on me, partly because I can ignore it more easily.

I'm not even talking about live performances of emotional music, like classical or country, which really can pack a punch.

Within the past few years I've lost my desire to listen to music, but mainly bc I find it distracted, tho supposed some of it, too, brings up emotions I don't want to deal with.

I have alexithymia, so music is one way I can articulate feelings into words (or instruments).

I read somewhere that music is less likely to affect Aspies emotionally. But whatever.

Anyway, certain music can affect me negatively. I remember one time when I worked at a care home they played this panflute type of music with no words, and it was so horribly depressing, that it literally made me want to commit suicide, no lie. It reminded me of doom and death, which feels inappropriate to play at a care home for elderly people. The boss said it was supposed to be calming so that's why they played it, but it wasn't calming for me.

Also some music by Coldplay can give me depression too, like that Viva La Vida or whatever it's called. It is so haunting and depressing. There's only one song by Coldplay I do like, that isn't depressing. Most of their songs are depressing.

I also don't like that song, I forgotten what it's called, where it goes "who knows, we might not be here tomorrow so let's do it tonight" (meaning dancing). It reminds me of what soldiers might have said who fought in the war, or even civilians during those times. Very depressing, unless you look at it from a different context, like as in "we might not be here tomorrow" meaning they might not be in the club tomorrow or something. But I think they mean the former.

Lastly, I don't like the theme music to the TV show Midsomer Murders. It has always creeped me out, probably because it's played on a theremin and I find those creepy as it is.

I very rarely cry in any situation other than when listening to music. Ironically, sad lyrics never make me cry, lyrically-focused music tends to fall flat on me.

But certain instrumentals will make me bawl, mostly out of an immense respect for the beauty of it. I often cry at the end of Sgt. Pepper's or Pet Sounds because I am so amazed by the completeness of the album. It captivates me that there was a time before Pet Sounds, and that I've only lived in the world after it.

Though some of those lyrics on Pet Sounds do hit me (looking at you, "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times"), it's really just this kind of post-emotional reaction to the art itself. It's hard to describe.

Some music does have a pull on my emotions, but it's getting harder to find. I've become rather immune to the records that used to work very well.

I can sometimes use music to reach depths of emotion that I don't seem to be able to reach in any other way.

I have to sing along though, I don't feel it just by listening. If I sing I can hitch my wagon to the singer's emotions and get really happy or really upset or whatever in ways I can't just by thinking about myself. It's quite useful if I'm emotionally blocked to able to do that, I find it therapeutic.

I like listening to music in part because it helps me feel. Preferably pumped up, but not exclusively.

Sometimes it can be very much a specific frame of mind. I've had songs I've heard dozens of times strike me just the right way one day and feels especially moving that one time in a way they never did before and never will again.

I am aspie and I have always had unusual emotional responses and tastes in music. I'm strictly a classical music lover. I dislike electric guitars. I don't like to hear singing even though I have a bachelor's degree in vocal music (how ironic!). I mostly listen to classical piano recordings.

There is a 20th century American composition, Leroy Anderson's Concerto for Piano & Orchestra. The first 2 minutes of the 3rd movement invokes the deepest, most powerful emotions I've ever experienced. Tears of joy, love and tenderness. A profound sense of belonging, and contentment. Life and meaning and hope. There's not one word uttered during the performance. I cry so hard, it hurts. I feel emotionally drained after listening to it.

I only let myself listen to it once a month or so. I don't want to get tired of it. I want it to always have this positive impact on me. I use it as an emotional reward for completing the most important and difficult task in my lifestyle, making a big batch of beans for the month.

I can definitely get emotional listening to music, but I have to be in the right mood for it to have that effect.

Songs like this get to me.

Music has the potential to affect people with ASD on a more profound level than people who are neurotypical. The reason for this is because of the inherent sound patterns found in music. Further, these patterns are typically repeated in abundance throughout most functional musical works. Sound patterns and repetition of those patterns are the glue that makes music cohesive. Because many people with autism relate so deeply and fundamentally to patterns and repetition, I believe music has a greater and deeper impact on our minds and our emotions than it does with most other people.

yes!! ! there are a few songs I like that evoke a weird emotional response from me, like it makes me feel like crying (though not "sad") though tears never actually come.

Its not an "autistic thing". Music is supposed to be emotional. And does effect me emotionally.

A friend and I are both fans of oldies and we were talking about our "top five tear jerking songs" . Not necessarily sad, some are actually happy, but they still force you to break out the kleenex.

For me, not sure what all five would be, but the list would include "Abraham, and Martin, and John" by Dion. My second top tier tear jerker would be the Winstons' "Color Him Father".

And my top tear jerker would be.... Malveena Reynolds' "Turn Around" ( aka "the Kodak Song").


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On the other hand "Butterfly Kisses" makes me wanna loose my lunch. There is fine line making one cry, and making one nauseas. And that song is on the wrong side of the line for me. But millions (like a buddy, not the same friend mentioned above) like that song. And its a hit. Whatever.