Match Made in Heaven: How Spotify on Tinder Reveals the True You

Cell phones have been integrally woven into the tapestry of the twenty-first century. As a staple of modernity, the iPhone has been at the forefront of this technical revolution. According to a 2007 Apple press release, one of the crucial apps offered within one of the first iPhones’ in its widespread distribution was: the music app. From the iPod to the iPhone music has been a long time accompaniment in the world of Apple. The two are inseparable, but the form of our music consumption is not homogeneous to singularly Apple Music. Simultaneously with the invention of iPhones in 2008 was the worldwide distribution of a new streaming service and competitor: Spotify. With the introduction of cell phones in daily life, people have the ability to carry their music collection with them everywhere they go. Music can curate the sonic atmosphere through which we traverse. It has the ability to uplift and inversely upset, as each song in our collection connects to an expression of one’s self from varying positions in our lives. If music is established as an artistic medium that expresses us, it would seem vital in the pursuit of our biological need for romantic partnership. 

Thus, Tinder comes into play. From its release in 2012, Tinder has only gained popularity. In 2016 a great match was made between Spotify and Tinder: users now have access to the music preferences of their potential romantic interests. This does not mean that every potential match has access to those 2013 bops, the music you listen to “ironically,” or the occasionally embarrassing simp songs. Instead, users pick their Tinder “anthem,” one song they choose from Spotify that represents themselves. This choice, based on interviews with matches, can be a strategic move to convey some niche musical taste, ie: something in the Dungeon Synth family like “Dreams” by Depressive Silence. Or, your match may attempt to be funny and have “Goofy Goober Rock” from The Spongebob Squarepants motion picture (2004, Hillenburg, Osborne). What I found surprising was that there were not that many sexually explicit songs used for anthems. One match had in their bio: dtf? (down to fuck?) yet also “Wonderwall” by Oasis for their anthem. What does this say about modern love? 

For this particular case study, this person (let’s call them Sam) had intentions to sexually relieve themselves and were looking for another person to satisfy this need swiftly, but, they still sought some semblance of authenticity. When I messaged Sam to inquire about their song choice the conversation went as follows: 

Hey! Is Wonderwall your favorite song? -P

Sam: ya when r u free 

Their horniness aside, they admitted to choosing a song that was their favorite. Even when their existence on this platform is not indicative of seeking a long lasting connection, Sam maintained a connection to their identity as a “real” person when not on the app. Someone who outside the app possibly blasts “Wonderwall” as a pick me up or is always pleased to hear that song in shuffle. The music Sam chose connects them to an entire life unbeknownst to what the bio alone would represent. This disconnect between what we put online and who we are behind the screen is a phenomenon found in every aspect of social media. The person we are while face to face is even a performance of sorts, thus, online is no different. Tinder gives people the platform to perform themselves under the pretense that there is a possibility for one-time hookups, long term relationships, friendships, conversations, and if nothing else a virtual ego boost. I do not think that these songs alone would make someone match with another person since the app is based on how someone looks in their collection of photos but it could be an added bonus. Since you first meet them online it is their music that speaks for them as their voice until you meet in person.

Written by Paloma Macias

Design by Natalie Kemper