Why can't I like that band?

Music is something everyone loves. It’s a universal way of making new friends who like the same thing as you. But what happens when you like something others don’t? People don’t just say ‘I don’t like that band, but you do so that’s okay.’ People would explain why you shouldn't like that band or artist. It makes you start to question yourself on your musical taste, and makes you consider changing it. I have this problem every time someone asks me ‘what type of music do you listen to?”

Ever since I was a child, I have always enjoyed Pop music. Of course other genres interested me, including R&B and the occasional Rap and Rock Pop song; but recently I’ve been more ashamed to mention my love for Pop music, and I know I’m not the only one. When you’re nineteen year old girl, you’re expected to like people like Jessie J, Rita Ora and Beyoncé. Not the likes of One Direction, 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS), Falling in Reverse or Eminem. You can now see why it is difficult for me and other teenagers around the world to say who they enjoy listening to.

Take One Direction for example, how can someone who wants to become a known journalist be taken seriously when they listen to a band which is ‘aimed at twelve year old’? The answer is you can’t. People have already made their mind about the band and now myself because I enjoy their music. That also goes the same with 5SOS. They are also a ‘childish’ band who also do their type of music for the money. But where do people get this information from? Who has said that One Direction and 5SOS focus on the money more than anything else? I think the reason 5SOS has had such a bad publicity with some people is because they became bigger because of One Direction. It’s not the bands fault that they sound like each other and are friends.

Liking bands like this has automatically given people a view of me. Apparently I am ‘a teenage girl who likes band who are just good looking and cannot play their own instruments.’ But what about one of my other favourite bands Falling in Reverse. How do they fit into that persona of mine? Quick answer, they don’ t. The lead singer, Ronnie Radke, is covered in tattoos and occasionally screams in the bands songs which are usually about illegal substances or getting with girls – the complete opposite of One Direction and 5SOS. But yet again, because of who I am and what I listen to, I am not allowed to listen to this kind of music because I am not that kind of person.

It is time to stop insulting people on their music taste. Like I said, music is one thing that makes everyone around the world come together for a short period of time. If you wouldn’t like someone doing that to you, please don’t do it to someone else.