In this podcast, Maddox Williams dives into how music affects teens’ moods, with special guest Emmanuel Cook.
Transcript (Edited for clarity)
Maddox Williams: What’s up, everyone, and welcome to Vibe Check, the podcast where we dive deep into how our minds work, especially with those rollercoaster years of teenage life. I’m Maddox, your host for today, and we’re going to explore something that’s always playing in the background of our lives: music.
Have you ever wondered why that sad song hits differently when you’re feeling down, or why blasting upbeat tunes can instantly lift your mood?
Today, we’re unpacking the science and psychology behind how music affects teens’ moods. So plug in, turn up the volume. Let’s get into it.
Teenagers and music go together like peanut butter and jelly. But why is that? During adolescence, your brain is going through massive changes emotionally, socially, and chemically. The limbic system, which is the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions, is especially active in the teen years.
At the same time, the prefrontal cortex, the part that helps with decision-making and regulation, is still developing. That means teens feel things more intensely and use music to process those feelings, whether it’s heartbreak, anxiety, excitement, or joy. Music gives teens a safe, emotional outlet.
It’s no surprise that a study by the American Psychological Association found that over 80% of teenagers say they turn to music when they’re feeling down or stressed.
Maddox: You’re ready.
Emmanuel Cook: Let’s go.
Maddox: All right. So, what do you remember about your teen years and how music played a role emotionally?
Emmanuel: Wow, that’s a long way back to remember. I was actually very involved musically during my teen years. I was already playing, if you will, clubs, bars, but it was stuff that your parents could be there for and chaperone, that good stuff.
Music was essentially my outlet to make better choices, because I played piano.
I obviously had the opportunity to serve in churches as well as be a student of some great musicians,which ultimately helped shape the way I saw and understood music. And also just were able to provide a clear path and point me toward Jesus as well.
So, emotionally, it certainly helped me in some emotional situations. When you’re feeling depressed and anxious, you want to be better. And then there’s this spirit of comparison and all that stuff.
But having that foundation, being able to sit down at a piano really just provided, man, such a peace for me, and just allowed me to thrive in that season.
Maddox: Music doesn’t just reflect emotions, it actually shapes them. This is something researchers call emotional regulation. It means using music intentionally to change or manage how you’re feeling.
Let’s say you’re anxious before a big test. You might listen to some calming instrumental music or lo-fi beats to slow your heart rate and clear your mind. On the flip side, if you’re getting ready for a game or performance, you might choose something fast and energizing, like hip-hop or rock, to boost your adrenaline.
Studies have shown that when teens listen to music that matches their mood, it helps them feel understood and validated. But when they listen to music that contrasts their mood, like having music when they’re sad, you can help lift them out of that emotional state. It’s kind of like having a conversation with your feelings, only through lyrics and beats instead of words.
Emmanuel: Do I think music can express what teens can’t say out loud? Of course, music can express anything. It depends on the lyricist or the person behind the pen who is writing those songs.
I believe that there are some musical songs and lyrics that may say too much for teens, but it just depends on the writer of the song.
Maddox: Alright, so what’s actually happening in the brain when teens listen to music?
When we listen to music, we love, the brain releases dopamine, the feel-good chemical. This is the same chemical that’s triggered by food, exercise, and even falling in love. That’s why your favorite song can give you chills or make you feel euphoric.
Music also activates areas in the brain involved in memory, emotion, and even motor functions. That’s why hearing a certain song can instantly take you back to a moment in time, a breakup, a summer trip, or a party with friends. Some research has even shown that music can reduce the stress hormone cortisol, helping with anxiety and depression symptoms, but not all music affects everyone the same way.
What calms one person might irritate another. That’s where personal preference and life experiences come into play. There’s no universal happiness or sad song. It’s all about how the music speaks to you.
Maddox: For the next question, what role does intentionality play in using music for emotional regulation?
Emmanuel:. I just believe that also depends on the writer. I’m a Christian artist, so I’m very intentional about writing songs that uplift the name of Jesus and point people back to Jesus.
One of my mantras is, ‘I write songs to make Jesus famous,’ as if he isn’t already famous enough. But that’s just our mission, the great Commission.
I believe that music is so powerful. There are melody lines that could lift someone’s spirits. There are also progressions that could take someone down into the dumps.
I believe when a person actually knows what they’re doing and the chord progressions that they are structuring to create a certain moment, it requires intentionality and an understanding of what that minor chord does and what this major chord does.
So, I certainly say with mature writers, and people who really understand their assignments and the calling that God has placed on their lives, it could certainly steer whichever emotion they’re aiming for.
Maddox: Now, let’s talk about lyrics. During the teen years, people are figuring out who they are and where they fit in. Music becomes a major tool in shaping identity. The lyrics that teens connect with often mirror what they’re experiencing, like feeling misunderstood, falling in love for the first time, dealing with peer pressure, or dreaming big.
Genres like emo, pop, rap, indie, or punk are all different emotional languages for teens to express themselves. And beyond the music itself, being part of a fandom or identifying with a genre can create a powerful sense of belonging.
Ever notice how teens often wear band tees or create playlists that they share with friends? That’s more than just a fashion choice or a fun habit. It’s about signaling identity, values, and community. Music becomes a social bridge. When teens discover that someone else loves the same song or artists, it forms a connection. And in a world where social belonging is crucial, music becomes more than just entertainment. It becomes a lifeline.
Maddox: All right. Next question. Why are lyrics so important to teens, stirring identity, or when they’re looking for who they really are?
Emmanuel: Great question. I think we could actually take out the word teen.
Lyrics are vitally important because they steer the thoughts of the listeners. It doesn’t matter how old that person is. I mean, some 70-year-old men are still listening to Lil Wayne and think they’re about that life.
And so I think it kind of goes back to the last answer I gave with the intentionality of the writers, whether that’s teens, young adults, children, babies, who are listening. We have to be very careful with the lyrics that we put out because they are actually, whether we realize it or not, they’re actually shaping the lives of those people.
If you listen to a song that’s talking about respect, R-E-S-P-E-C-T, you carry that in your spirit. And so when your mother or your father gives a directive or a command, if that’s what you’ve been listening to, in your mind, it’s respect, right?
If it’s Young Thug, if there’s a lyric in the song that’s telling you that only God can judge me and I don’t have to listen to nobody, of course, it’s going to shape that teen or whoever’s listening, because they’re gonna feel like, I can identify with that. “He’s right. I feel that way too.” And they can stir up emotions that ultimately lead you to make bad decisions.
Maddox: While music is mostly a positive force, it’s important to acknowledge that it can sometimes reinforce negative emotions too. Listening to overly dark, aggressive, or depressive music for long periods, especially without any balance, can trap teens in a cycle of rumination.
For example, constantly replaying sad breakup songs might make it harder to move on. That doesn’t mean you should avoid emotional music. Sometimes crying it out to a sad song is exactly what you need, but it’s good to be aware of how music is affecting you. Ask yourself, is this helping me feel better or just keeping me stuck?
Maddox: Final question. Should people be worried about certain lyrics or genres influencing people’s mental health?
Emmanuel: Yes. People should be concerned about that, specifically the creators of the music. The interesting thing is, there are creatives or artists who have had a rough life and aren’t mentally stable, and they tend to write to those people. They tend to create songs for people who are like them.
Most artists, in fact, tend to write songs to identify with people like them, people who are happy or who are in love, who are seeking a deeper relationship with God. And then people who love jazz and blues, that just talk about being depressed and sad when they’ve lost the love of their lives.
So yes, the intentionality of genres, lyrics, and melody lines all play a role.
Maddox: Right. So how does music affect teen moods? And in every way, it’s a tool for emotional expression, a mood regulator, a way to connect with others, and even a kind of therapy. Whether you’re feeling on top of the world or totally lost, there’s always a song out there that just gets to you.
Emmanuel: Back to the latter two questions. If we all are more intentional about the information that we’re trying to get out, you can have a song that talks about someone having a bad day, but then talk about, you know, for me, I’m a Christian artist, so I would spend that to talk about Jesus, who brightened and lifted my day.
Maddox: So next time you hit play, take a second to notice what that song is doing for your mood, because chances are it’s doing more than you think.
