What your music says about your political views, revealed

Is your favourite band Metallica, or do you prefer the dulcet tones of Mumford & Sons?

According to a new study, your answer could reveal your political views. 

Scientists from the University of Montreal have found a key link between musical tastes and political leanings. 

The team surveyed 125,000 people about their favourite musical genres, as well as their voting tendencies. 

The results revealed that Conservatives are more likely to be country or metal fans. 

In contrast, left–wingers prefer folk music, according to the experts. 

‘These are broad associations,’ explained Professor Catherine Ouellet, lead author of the study.

‘But they corroborate the findings of similar U.S. studies. The point is that there are apparently non–political variables that can be indicative of deeper political predispositions.’ 

Previous studies have uncovered links between musical taste and various personality traits. 

For example, a 2015 study found that people who like upbeat and conventional music are more likely to be agreeable, extraverted and conscientious, while those who prefer jazz are more likely to be intense and rebellious. 

However, until now, there has been little research on the link between musical taste and political views. 

To get to the bottom of it, the researchers analysed data from 125,000 Canadians, collected during the 2021 federal election and the 2022 Quebec provincial election. 

The respondents were asked about their favourite genres of music, their political views, their personality traits, and their social class. 

The results revealed a clear connection between musical taste, political views and personality – but not social class. 

In terms of political views, people who voted for the Conservative party were more likely to be country or metal fans, and least likely to enjoy electronic music or folk rock. 

‘Statistical models confirm that listening to metal is a strong predictor of voting Conservative, as much as classic variables such as gender, age and income,’ Professor Ouellet said.

Those who voted for left–wing parties such as Québec solidaire, meanwhile, were more likely to opt for folk music. 

The researchers also found a correlation between certain musical preferences and personality traits. 

People who enjoy country, folk rock or rap tend to be extraverts, while fans of alternative rock, hard rock and metal are more introverted. 

And those who enjoy metal, rap, folk rock or rock score significantly lower for agreeableness and conscientiousness.

However, the study found no link between musical preference and social class. 

French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu has long suggested that people from high social classes prefer jazz and classical, while working class people prefer more accessible music. 

In reality, this is no longer the case. 

‘There is increasing heterogeneity in musical preferences within social classes,” Professor Ouellet said. 

‘Today, so–called popular music is appreciated by all socioeconomic groups.’

Professor Ouellet added that some patterns are ‘still discernible’. 

‘Hip–hop and pop remain more popular among low–income individuals, while rock and alternative rock dominate among higher earners,’ she explained. 

Overall, the findings suggest that your favourite songs can reveal ‘shared values and worldviews.’

‘Music preferences convey significant information and are worthy of scientific attention by social scientists,’ the team concluded in their study, published in Acta Politica.