There’s been a survey done and apparently the thing that annoys London commuters the most about their fellow travellers is loud music. The survey, carried out on behalf of Jetsleeper, placed audio abuse higher than broadsheet-splaying toffs and drunken head-droopers. No mention of mobile shouters, pushing pikeys or “scuse me ladies and gentlemen, sorry to interrupt your journey…“…

Granted, hissy cymbal rushes and caterwauling R’n'B divas are pretty damn toe-curling in the most serene of times. Listening to the various snatches of London’s collective musical selection isn’t annoying in itself though. Londoners have been used to it for years - when was the last time you last walked down Oxford Street without hearing some godawful Eurotrance blaring out from one of the shops?

What depresses and annoys me about the proliferation of the little white ear-buds isn’t so much the diabolical taste of my fellow Londoners. It’s the terrible sound you get from those shitty little headphones, cutting out all low end and turning the rest to some hideous mid-range sludge. Not only that but the reduction of music from artform to sonic pavement - how many of these i-drones are actually loving (or even know) what they’re listening to?

On my regular commute I’ve seen suited middle age men stare blankly into middle distance while the Sugababes whirl dolefully in his ear. Occasionally you spot someone in the zone -  I clocked a girl once mouthing the words to Kelly Watch The Stars as the train whizzed through Clapham. For my sins I’ve been told several times to turn my music down - most memorably drawing the dreaded commuter stare as Vex Red’s Can’t Smile penetrated the packed rush hour carriage.

I don’t mind your music, London. Just get some decent headphones, start loving what you listen to and we’re all square.

Photo - Orhantsolak

Commuter Love - The Divine Comedy