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Music and emotional response

Autistic Not Alien

Hello all

Is it normal for autistic people to experience a heightened visceral response to music? I ask the question because when I was listening to 'Boyhood' by The Japanese House this morning, I started crying. It wasn't bad crying, but it wasn't exactly good either. I've noticed as I get older that I'm more vulnerable to these moments - like I can't fathom how a human being could be capable of creating such incredible beauty.

Anyway, here's the song (and its gorgeously simple video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE0PSlNVN0Q

N.

  • Sometimes I love it but sometimes it's too much. I had to stop listening to a Japanese Breakfast song the other day because I was feeling it too strongly and switched to something unemotional. 

  • in reply to corvus

    I'm so pleased you enjoyed the Japanese House song. And I completely agree with you about music being the most stunning invention. It's just sounds and words, but infinitely more than the sum of its parts. 

  • This is one of the reasons I love music so much! Music is one of the only things that actually makes me feel. Generally I don't show or feel my emotions but with music it's like everything starts working properly, a sad song can make me feel sad, even make me cry. A really happy and upbeat song makes me feel amazing.
    With music I feel the connection, feel the rush as it runs through me like this energy.
    It's why I love music so much and why I sing. I love it.

  • i totally understand what you mean - and i love the fact i can feel music so deeply! i listened to the song you linked; it sounds beautiful. gave me chills all over!

    music is just such a beautiful thing - definitely mankind's most impactful and stunning invention in my opinion. i love to try to encounter as many new songs as i can, listen in to the words spoken and the rhymes and meanings, the rhythmic beat of the instruments in the background, the vibe of the song in general...it brings me so much joy.

  • I sometimes think music has only helped me find my emotional side that much quicker. I've listened to many things over my time which has made me rather teary-eyed and feeling the words.

    One of my favourite bands, believe it or not, is The Joy Division. Yes, whilst it mainly consisted of its dark and melancholy tunes, a lot of it is mostly down to the lead singer, Ian Curtis, and his struggles with his severe epilepsy, the role he has, and his failing marriage. All of which ultimately led to his suicide at the age of 23.

    Just listening to him, his struggle, his words and his willpower dwindling away only made me feel sorry for him. 

    So yes, music has become quite a huge staple in my life. And I made my dear mother proud, largely because she never once thought she'd hear me sing to any lyrics of any song at all. 

    I owe a lot to my mum. Without her, I would never have got this far in life. She turns 72 tomorrow. I love her so much. 

  • Yes, there have been threads on this before. There are a number of pieces of music that reliably bring me tears.

  • in reply to Katy

    That's interesting. I wonder whether my increased emotional response is partly due to age and nostalgia and an ever-present awareness of my own mortality. Or, perhaps, I'm overthinking things again. 

  • I get this with some music but not all. I'm rarely emotional, but sometimes a song hits a certain note and I'm crying, not happy or sad I just well up.

  • Yes, I get that with music, some, at least.