Does music make the man? Or does it maybe just influence him a little? Yesterday, the folks over at A.V. Club recommended a few albums meant to positively (whatever that means) influence kids’ future music tastes, and we got to thinking about our favorite records as children and young teenagers and the impact they might have had on our current personalities — for good or ill. After the jump, we’ve collected a few of our (wildly subjective, tongue-in-cheek) conclusions. So read on to find out what your favorite record as a youngster says about you now, and let us know if we’ve got your number — or if we’re way off base — in the comments.
The Beatles — Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Heart’s Club Band
You’ve experimented with psychedelic drugs.
The Beatles — The White Album
You’ve experimented with psychedelic drugs, but don’t find them half as insane or interesting as real life.
The Beatles — Rubber Soul
You’d rather read a book than do drugs.
“Weird Al” Yankovic — Straight Outta Lynwood
You’re still too white and nerdy.
David Bowie — Space Oddity
It may have taken a while, but you’ve finally figured out where you belong.
Belle & Sebastian — Tigermilk
You’ve hoarded all of the family heirlooms into your own home.
The Talking Heads — Speaking in Tongues
You still call it “making flippy floppy.”
AC/DC — Highway to Hell
You don’t know what it is, but you don’t hear that well anymore.
Bob Dylan — Blonde on Blonde
You’re resigned to the fact that all your relationships are doomed to fail.
They Might Be Giants — Flood
You love dad jokes.
Patti Smith — Horses
Your basement is filled with your oil paintings and photographs. They’re actually pretty good.
The Beach Boys — Pet Sounds
Your convertible is your prized possession.
Tom Chapin — Billy the Squid
You annoy your friends by trying to use as many big words as possible. Also you’re really, really into puns.
The Dave Matthews Band — Crash
Either you rebelled against your former self, went through a punk phase and came out all right, or you own a car dealership.
The Mountain Goats — Zopilote Machine
You’re a writer. And probably a drinker.
Elvis Presley — Elvis Presley
You still dance in front of the mirror and overreact to celebrities you see on the street.
Ella Fitzgerald — Porgy and Bess
You’ve got some serious class.
Johnny Cash — Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar
People always tell you you’re hard to get to know. It’s just because you’re ahead of your time.
Joan Baez — Joan Baez
You’re active in your community.
Elvis Costello — My Aim is True
You think kids these days are actually kind of great.
Ben Folds Five — Ben Folds Five
You still have not figured out women.
The Modern Lovers — The Modern Lovers
You’ve called Pablo Picasso an asshole.
The Clash — London Calling
Don’t listen to what anybody says — those leather pants still look good on you.
Joni Mitchell — Blue
You’ve always taken breakups really hard — but you hide it well.
Fleetwood Mac — Rumours
You’re a straight-laced business man with a pair of moccasins in your closet.
Marvin Gaye — What’s Going On
You care.