As I explore coding and generative AI, I’ve discovered a fascinating blend of data science and personal musical preferences. Using ChatGPT’s data analysis tool, I set out to decode my music tastes based on my liked playlist on Spotify.
This dataset goes beyond just songs and artists; it paints a picture of my life’s soundtrack, all the way back to my teenage years. The AI delved deep, analyzing elements like “energy” and “danceability,” connecting the themes that run through my favorite tracks.
Deep dives and surprises
- Artist preferences: TOOL, Max Richter, and Chicos de Nazca emerged as dominant in my playlist, showcasing a penchant for alternative and experimental music.
- Unexpected absences: Artists like Justin Timberlake were notably missing, revealing the unpredictable nature of personal taste.
Temporal echoes and life chapters
2017 held a special significance, reflecting the rhythm of my life during early parenthood and a demanding career as a financial journalist in Hong Kong.
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Musical preferences tied to life events underscore the role of music as a temporal anchor and emotional companion, evoking precise memories through songs.
Themes and echoes
Analysis of song titles revealed themes like ‘sun,’ ‘life,’ and ‘dream,’ offering insights into universal human experiences and my subconscious landscape.
The symphony of metrics
- Energy balance: The playlist’s moderate energy levels mirror life’s balance between calm and chaos.
- Danceability: A preference for danceable tracks reflects a rhythm in everyday life.
- Melancholic undertones: Introspective tunes hint at a contemplative nature.
Synthesis and revelation
This exploration goes beyond data analysis, suggesting AI’s potential in shaping our musical journeys and personal discoveries.
Reflections and projections
My journey through musical tastes with AI has been enlightening, unveiling the dynamic tapestry of my preferences and reflecting my evolving identity.
The synergy between technology and human curiosity showcased in this analysis highlights AI’s role in uncovering aspects of our inner selves through patterns in our preferences.
An appendix
Most prevalent words in my favorite song titles (as explained by GPT-4):
- “man”: Personal identity and individual journeys.
- “sun”: Symbolic of life cycles and new beginnings.
- “life”: Essence of human experiences.
- “heaven”: Aspirations and transcendence.
- “heart”: Core of emotions and connections.
- “dream”: Bridging aspirations and the subconscious.
- “feel”: Focus on emotive aspects of music.
- “alive”: Celebrating vitality and life.
- “go”: Movement and evolution.
- “song”: Reflecting on the art of music.
- “silence”: Representing introspection and space between sounds.
- “night”: Mystery, introspection, and solitude.
- “never”: Conveying infinity and the unattainable.
- “lost”: Themes of search and existential journeys.
Originally published on the Code Red for Writers newsletter.
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Originally published on March 18, 2024
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