A Product of Genetics or Upbringing?

Most of the time I believe my current state of being is based largely on my upbringing. Many situations in my past could have quite easily taken a different path. But every now and than, something would come up which would make me think that the paths I have chosen where not chosen at all.

Music being the most prime example.

It was once said to me that I prefer poets to musicians. I love a good song, but if it doesn’t say something with some thought or meaning it doesn’t last long in my consciousness. My favourite all time artists are Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave who both can tell an amazing story with the accompaniment of music.

Now is this because of my years in high school hiding in the library, getting my hands anything that resembled the darkness I felt was within, or was I born with attachment to the emotional (some overtly)?

Favourite songs from the time I used to call my happiest (I’m quite liking my current state of being):

Shakespeares Sister – Stay
Soul Asylum – Runaway Train
R.E.M – Everybody Hurts
R.E.M – Losing my Religion
Don McLean – American Pie
Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody

I mean, I was eight years old and loving the part in “Stay” where she was dressed resembling the devil (well, what I thought) and sang:

You'd better hope and pray
That you make it safe
Back to your own world
You'd better hope and pray
That you'll wake one day
In your own world
Because when you sleep at night
They don't hear your cries
In your own world
Only time will tell
If you can break the spell
Back in your own world

Maybe it all happened the way it did cause it was the only way for me…