How Artists Can Use Music Priming to Influence Their Fans
The Power of Lyrics, Fashion, and Imagery in Influencing Fan Behavior
Priming is a psychological phenomenon where exposure to one stimulus influences a person's response to a subsequent stimulus. In the music industry, artists can use music priming to influence their fans' attitudes and behavior toward their music, brand, and identity. Music can prime fans to feel a certain way or associate certain emotions, values, or identities with an artist. This email will explore how artists can use music priming and provide real-life examples.
Lyrics Priming
One of the most common ways artists use music priming is through their lyrics. Lyrics can prime fans to feel a certain way about a topic or issue. For example, a song about love and relationships can prime fans to feel more romantic and affectionate towards their partners. Similarly, a song that addresses a political or social issue can prime fans to feel more engaged and concerned about the issue.
Music Video Priming
Visuals and imagery in a music video can prime fans to associate certain emotions, values, or identities with an artist. For example, an artist might use music video imagery that celebrates rebellion, nonconformity, and anti-establishment values to prime fans to identify with the artist's perspective.
Dress and Style Priming
An artist's dress and style can also be used for music priming. Their fashion choices can prime fans to associate specific values or identities with the artist. For example, an artist might dress in clothing that reflects woke-culture values, such as clothing made from sustainable materials, gender-neutral clothing, or clothing that promotes social justice causes. This can prime fans to associate the artist with values such as environmentalism, gender equality, and social justice. An example of an artist who uses dress and style priming is Billie Eilish, who often wears baggy clothing to make a statement against body shaming and to promote individuality and self-expression. This has primed fans to associate Eilish with values of body positivity, self-confidence, and individuality.
Fan Community Priming
Artists can use their music to create a sense of community among their fans. Music can be used to prime fans to feel more connected to other fans and to the artist themselves. For example, an artist might use their music to create an anthem that unites fans around a common cause or message.
Here are some more examples how artists have used music priming:
Beyoncé's song "Run the World (Girls)" uses upbeat music and lyrics that celebrate female empowerment to prime her fans to associate her brand with this message.
Taylor Swift's song "All Too Well" uses slow, melancholic music and vivid lyrics to prime her fans to feel empathetic towards her personal life and relationships.
The fashion choices of The Ramones, such as their leather jackets, t-shirts, and jeans, prime fans to identify with the punk subculture and to associate the band with punk rock values.
BTS's song "We Are Bulletproof: The Eternal" uses emotional lyrics and music to create an anthem that unites fans around a message of perseverance and resilience.
Music priming can be a powerful tool for artists to influence their fans' emotions, attitudes, and behavior toward their music, brand, and identity. Artists can build brand loyalty and cultivate a devoted fan base by using music to create emotional connections and foster a sense of community.