I often find folk music to be annoying if I can't follow the lyrics, so I often can't use folk music for background listening. If it's background music, I want it to be either instrumental, or songs I'm familiar with. I often prefer pop music or "Great American Songbook" vocals over folk music.

When I get new music, I do my best to study songs right away, so I understand them. Then I can put them on my playlist and listen without paying full attention. I have a lot of CDs still wrapped in cellophane, because I haven't had time to study them.

-Joe-