---
title: "Spotify Wrapped is about more than what songs you listen to – it’s about what makes you you"
description: "Why do we love Spotify Wrapped? Simple. We inherently like understanding ourselves. Psychology can help explain why."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "The Conversation"
author: "Kelvin (Shiu Fung) Wong"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/kelvin-shiu-fung-wong/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-12-06-spotify-wrapped-is-about-more-than-what-songs-you-listen-to-its-about-what-makes-you-you/"
published: "2024-12-06T17:08:05"
updated: "2024-12-07T11:29:52"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 766
---

# Spotify Wrapped is about more than what songs you listen to – it’s about what makes you you

> Why do we love Spotify Wrapped? Simple. We inherently like understanding ourselves. Psychology can help explain why.

By Kelvin (Shiu Fung) Wong · Published 6 December 2024, 19:08 SAST · Updated 7 December 2024, 13:29 SAST

## Key points
- Spotify's 2024 Wrapped isn't just a musical recap; it's a mirror reflecting our year's emotional soundtrack and a social invitation to compare playlists, find our tribe, and perhaps even spark a conversation about why we jammed out to that one breakup anthem on repeat.
- Spotify's 2024 Wrapped offers users a personalized recap of their listening habits, showcasing top songs, artists, and genres from the past year.
- The annual tradition has sparked widespread online engagement, reflecting our desire for self-understanding and connection.
- Sharing Wrapped lists fulfills fundamental human needs for esteem and belonging, facilitating social comparison and dialogue among users.
- This year, users are encouraged to deepen connections by discussing the emotions and experiences behind their music choices, rather than just liking posts.

## Content

Spotify has just released its 2024 Spotify Wrapped, the music streaming site’s annual presentation of each user’s yearly [listening habits](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-12-20-spotify-wrapped-apple-music-replay-and-instafest-what-do-end-of-year-music-wrap-ups-say-about-our-listening-habits/). It gives you a fun recap of your most listened to songs, artists and genres from the past year – complete with stats like how many minutes you listened and your top genre “phases” or “moments”.

The tradition has seized the cultural zeitgeist throughout the whole year, with a lot of online discourse surrounding what music will top your listens for the year.

![A general view of Spotify's 2024 Wrapped at London's Outernet on December 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for Spotify)](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/4F9ArRFDgsPngpQBX-fE2HLrwwY=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-2188238438.jpg)

*A general view of Spotify's 2024 Wrapped at London's Outernet on December 04, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by John Phillips/Getty Images for Spotify)*

In addition to the exciting way the list is presented (aesthetically pleasing tiles, interactive elements), the answer to its ability to captivate may be found in one simple idea: we inherently like understanding ourselves.

But what does this mean? We can unpack this further in the psychological theories of self-concept, social comparison and social connection.

#### Self-concept

[Self-concept](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/202109/what-is-self-concept-and-why-does-it-matter?msockid=0a024e5a9e0467e60e465b689f0b66a5) is how we see ourselves. It develops from our experiences and our responses to these experiences.

Music is one of those unique mediums that [reflects](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2021-12-12-the-technologies-of-taste-unwrapping-spotifys-wrapped/) what we’ve experienced (for example, a break-up) and how we feel (sadness and yearning).

So, when we see a yearly list of our top artists, genres and songs, it’s like looking into a mirror that tells us who we’ve been throughout the year.

This drive towards self-reflection is likely because it fulfils some of our most fundamental human needs. Remember that time when everyone was doing the [Myers-Briggs personality test](https://www.scmp.com/yp/discover/lifestyle/features/article/3237096/should-we-trust-our-mbti-results-expert-discusses-why-we-love-personality-tests-and-if-theyre-useful)?

In 1943, the American psychologist Abraham Maslow developed his [theory of human needs](https://edition.cnn.com/world/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-explained-wellness-cec/index.html).

![Chart of the five categories of needs: physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-actualisation](https://images.theconversation.com/files/635538/original/file-20241202-15-8g54im.jpg?ixlib=rb-4.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip)

*Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Image: [The Studio/Shutterstock](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/maslow-hierarchy-needs-vector-illustration-2152038977)*

According to this theory, humans have a need for esteem (gaining respect and recognition within our communities) and self-actualisation (realisation of one’s potential). Neither of these can occur without first an understanding of who we currently are. Sharing a list, then, is a way of saying to others, “this is me!”.

But sharing your Wrapped list serves more functions than simply self-expression. It facilitates social comparison and social connection.

#### **Social comparison**

In 1954, American social psychologist Leon Festinger published his [social comparison theory](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/social-comparison-theory?msockid=0a024e5a9e0467e60e465b689f0b66a5).

He believed humans are naturally inclined to compare themselves to others. We constantly evaluate where we stand in relation to those around us.

When you post your Wrapped list, you aren’t just saying, “this is what I listened to” or “this is who I am”. You’re also inviting others to engage in a subtle social dialogue.

Seeing someone else with the same song on their list might spark a sense of connection. Seeing that you’re in the top 1% of Taylor Swift fans might make you feel even a little superior (and others a little envious).

(As a side note, I hope this happens to me again this year.)

Seeing someone else’s Wrapped can also inspire and validate. If a friend’s list includes a mix of genres you’ve never explored, you might feel encouraged to branch out. Or you might see someone else’s list and feel relieved you’re not the only one obsessed with an artist.

Whether conscious or subconscious, these comparisons drive engagement with Spotify.

#### **Social connection**

Sharing our Spotify Wrapped satisfies another fundamental human need: belonging.

Humans are inherently social creatures who want to feel loved and accepted. Music is one of the [oldest ways we’ve connected with one another](https://www.themusicstudio.ca/communication-through-music/).

Sharing our Wrapped lists isn’t just about showing off who we are, but about finding common ground. It’s about finding your tribe, a group of people we can feel safely connected to.

This is even more important during a period in which people’s opinions are becoming more divided and for a younger generation [where loneliness is becoming an increasing problem](https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/24/10/what-causing-our-epidemic-loneliness-and-how-can-we-fix-it).

#### **Building on your own wrap**

This urge to know about yourself and to share is very human.

This year, however, I challenge you to go beyond just dropping a like on someone’s story.

Sure, the dopamine hit is great and is part of what keeps us coming back to this yearly ritual. But it takes more than that to meet our need for connection.

This year, use Spotify Wrapped to start up a conversation with someone. Maybe about how their experiences and feelings this year led to the songs appearing on their list. You might learn something new about them and create or revitalise a meaningful connection.

And that’s a wrap.![The Conversation](https://counter.theconversation.com/content/245019/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic)**DM**

[Media](https://counter.theconversation.com/content/245019/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced)

[*This story was first published in* The Conversation.](https://theconversation.com/spotify-wrapped-is-about-more-than-what-songs-you-listen-to-its-about-what-makes-you-you-245019)*Kelvin (Shiu Fung) Wong is a Senior Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Swinburne University of Technology.*