What kind of music do geniuses listen to?

🎧 So... what music do smart people listen to?

Depends who you ask… there’s no single “genius playlist.”

But most highly intelligent people lean toward music that’s either structured (like classical) or mentally stimulating (like complex electronic).

And studies back it up: structured, instrumental music helps your brain stay focused. But lyrics, noise, or chaos? Can kill concentration, especially if you're the overthinking type.

Let’s dig into why…

🧠 Does music make you smarter?

Kind of.

There is a connection between music and intelligence, but it’s complicated. It’s not like listening to Mozart instantly gives you 10 IQ points. (If only…)

Here's what researchers found:

🔹 Extroverts perform better on tests with music in the background.
🔹 Introverts? Their performance actually drops when music is playing.

So music doesn’t work the same for everyone.

It depends on your brain type, mood, and even what task you’re doing. If you're solving math or logic problems, the wrong song can ruin your focus.

But in creative tasks, writing, drawing, brainstorming - music can boost flow and creativity.

So the real cheat code is knowing when to hit play… and when to go full silence.

🎧 What Do Famous Geniuses Listen To?

Here’s what some of the smartest minds vibed to:

🔹 Albert Einstein
Played violin. Obsessed with Mozart and Bach. Hated Wagner. Said Mozart’s music was “pure” and didn’t overthink things, just like good ideas.

🔹 Stephen Hawking
Loved classical too. Brahms, Beethoven, Mozart. Music was one of the few pleasures he had after ALS took over his body.

🔹 Elon Musk
Bit of a wildcard. Likes Sinatra, Weird Al, movie soundtracks… and made his own EDM track called “Don’t Doubt Ur Vibe.” 

So yeah, some of the highest IQs on Earth leaned toward classical. But not all of them.

Genius ≠ boring playlists. Even smart people like bangers.

🧪 Does Your Music Taste Reveal Your IQ?

Kinda... But not really. Let me explain.

Some studies found correlations between music taste and intelligence, but correlation doesn’t mean causation. For example, people who like classical music tend to score higher on IQ tests, but that might be because they also tend to read more, drink less, and spend less time on TikTok.

On the flip side, blasting drill rap 24/7 while chugging vodka probably won’t turn you into the next Hawking.

But here's the thing: your music taste might reflect your habits. And your habits shape your brain. Music doesn’t directly make you smarter, but it can influence mood, focus, and your environment. All of that matters when it comes to cognition.

So, is your Spotify Wrapped a window into your intelligence? Not exactly. But it might say something about how you live and think.

🎧 Music That Boosts Focus (Backed by Science)

Not all music is created equal, especially when you’re trying to focus.

There’s science behind which types of music help your brain work better:

🔹 Brain.fm – This one’s engineered with neuroscience to enhance focus. Real studies, EEG scans, phase-locking tech. I use it when I want deep, distraction-free work. It’s like audio Adderall without the side effects.

🔹 Mozart Effect – Yeah, it’s real (sort of). One study found that listening to Mozart improved spatio-temporal reasoning, the kind of brain power you need for puzzles, math, or playing chess at 2 am.

🔹 Baroque beats – Slow, 60 bpm classical music (think Bach or Vivaldi) has been shown to help with memory retention and reading comprehension.

Conclusion

So… Does Music Make You Smarter?

Short answer: not directly. But it can help you focus, retain info, and feel more creative.

Some music activates memory zones. Some lights up motor areas and makes you wanna move. Others hit emotional circuits that help you remember things better.

It’s not about IQ points magically increasing because you played Mozart once. It’s about using music to get into the right brain state - flow, calm, focus, or even just curiosity.

The best move is to create your own “cognitive playlist.” Find what helps you read deeper, write better, or block out distractions.

For me, that’s Brain.fm when I work. Hip-Hop, when I clean or cook. Old Coldplay or 2000s bangers when I feel nostalgic. And silence when I’m solving hard problems.

Figure out what works for your brain. Then press play. 🎵