Music taste says a lot about a person, and some genres have fans who are deeply devoted. This One Gotta Go card puts four very different sounds together: heavy metal, jazz, classical and EDM or electronic music.
One genre disappears from the world, and the other three remain. Think about what you play when you work out, when you need to focus and when you want to relax. Then pick and see if your friends agree, or if someone in your group is the biggest fan of the genre you just cut.
Heavy Metal vs Jazz vs Classical vs EDM / Electronic
A. Heavy Metal
Heavy metal is loud, fast and powerful, with huge riffs and a fan community that is famously loyal. It is a whole lifestyle for many people. For others, it is just noise, which makes metal one of the most common picks to cut on a card like this.
Keep it if: You love the energy, the guitar work and the feeling of a crowd jumping together at a show.
B. Jazz
Jazz was born in America and gave the world legends like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis. It is creative and full of improvisation. Some listeners find it hard to follow without a clear melody, which makes it a fair cut for them.
Keep it if: You love a smoky club feel, a great horn solo and music that changes every time it is played.
C. Classical
Classical music has lasted for centuries, from Bach and Mozart to the film scores that echo its style. It is calming and complex. The case against it is that many people only hear it in the background, which makes it easy to forget how much they would miss.
Keep it if: You play it to study or relax, and you know how a great symphony can make you feel something.
D. EDM / Electronic
EDM and electronic music power festivals, clubs and workouts with big drops and nonstop beats. It is built for dancing. Some listeners say it all starts to sound the same, which makes it a candidate for the cut if you prefer live instruments.
Keep it if: You live for the drop, you love festival energy and electronic music keeps you moving during workouts.
Our take
We would cut heavy metal, knowing the metal fans will make a strong case. Jazz and classical have shaped almost every genre that followed, and electronic music drives today's pop and dance hits. The most fun debate usually comes from metal fans against EDM fans, since both genres are built on energy and loyal crowds. Ask everyone what they would play at their dream party and see how many genres make the list.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which genre has the most dedicated fans?
- Which genre is best for working out?
- Can someone who loves metal also love classical music?
- What genre would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Music Genres: quick answers
What is the difference between EDM and electronic music?
Electronic music is a broad term for music made mainly with electronic instruments and computers, including house, techno, ambient and more. EDM, or electronic dance music, usually refers to the festival and club friendly side of it, with big builds and drops made for dancing.
Where did jazz music come from?
Jazz began in the late 1800s and early 1900s in African American communities in New Orleans, blending blues, ragtime and brass band music. It spread across the country and the world, giving rise to styles like swing, bebop and cool jazz.
