As we grow older, our tastes in food, travel, and hobbies naturally evolve — but when it comes to music, men may be a little more stuck in time.
A recent study suggests that men’s strongest musical memories are locked in at around age 16, meaning the songs they loved in their teenage years continue to resonate decades later. Women, by contrast, tend to develop their musical tastes more fluidly, often forming stronger connections to songs they encounter later in life.
Researchers from the University of Jyvaskyla in Finland surveyed nearly 2,000 people across 84 countries, asking them to select music that held personal meaning. The study found that the most emotionally impactful songs generally come from adolescence — a phenomenon the researchers call the “reminiscence bump.”
Lead author Dr Iballa Burunat explained, “Think of the adolescent brain as a sponge, supercharged by curiosity and a craving for reward, but without a fully developed filter. That’s why experiences like the music we love get absorbed so deeply and leave a lasting impression.”
Analysis showed that men’s emotional peak with music occurs around age 16, while women hit theirs slightly later, around 19. However, as people age, the patterns diverge: women’s most meaningful music shifts toward newer songs, whereas men maintain strong emotional connections to the tracks from their teenage years even into their 60s.
The researchers suggested this may be tied to the role of music in teenage rebellion and identity formation. From ages 14 to 17, many boys gravitate toward intense genres like rock and metal to assert independence and bond with peers, creating lasting emotional anchors.
Dr Burunat added, “For men, music from adolescence becomes a lasting anchor for personal meaning. Women, on the other hand, use music more flexibly throughout life, as a tool for emotional expression and social connection.”
In short, while women’s playlists evolve with the years, men’s hearts remain tuned to the soundtrack of their youth.
