I listen to music all the time. If I need to really-trulio concentrate on something hardcore, I'll switch to something without lyrics like Explosions in the Sky.

If I couldn't bring my iPod to work, I would probably go mad.

Oh, and more importantly...

Happy Birthday, Juliana!

I can't listen when I'm reading. I tend not to notice people talking to me. They find it amusing. Or frustrating.

Music is good when I'm working on stuff because it replaces the earworms that are otherwise in my head, and I tune out the music, but it takes up enough brain to help me focus. Or something. I don't tend to notice what music is on, if I'm focused.

Edit: And Happy Birthday, juliana!

Did we know about this, Farscape fans? [link]

Squee!

Yup.

I can't listen when I'm reading. I tend not to notice people talking to me. They find it amusing. Or frustrating.

The result of growing up with four making-lots-of-noise younger siblings is that I can concentrate in what I'm doing and filter out all the conversations and images around me, if I have to. But if somebody says my name, even in a whisper, I'll immediately hear it and respond. Very useful.

Interesting. I find it helpful to turn on some music I'm familiar with when I need to concentrate-- it seems to run along the barely conscious track of my mind so that it doesn't interrupt the primary track.

Me too. I pretty much tone out the music, but having it there stops my mind from wandering, which makes it easier for me to focus on what I am reading or working on.

Cleaning without being able to dance with the broom to the sounds of music is quite difficult, as well.

I love the image of Nilly sweeping and dancing.

I have my iPod on at work when I need to zone everything else out. It is the only way I can concentrate on what I am doing without distraction.

I can listen to orchestral music (or other music without any singing in it) while doing data entry or something else relatively mindless, but if I have to proofread or concentrate on my work, I have to turn off the music.

Of course, my friends and family have long since discovered that if they talk to me while I'm reading a book, I can't listen with any of my ears.

So very much this. Coming out from a book's spell is like coming up from under water for me--I am aware that people are talking, but it's a hollow blur of noise with no meaning until I stop reading.

Shoot, I forgot to say--Happy Birthday, juliana!!!