I recently put together a playlist of music from various genres to listen to while I help my sister bomb photos for contests. (if I dont help sis, she will do something horrible to me, like cook nothing but broccoli dishes for a meal, or worse, clean my room)
I chose pieces that I know I like, from soundtracks to folk music, and discovered that most of the music either has similar melodies, or played with similar instruments. One song in particular, the Kiss, from last of the mohicans sounds almost like an old celt bagpipe folk song.
I even have multiple tracks of the same song, just arranged differently that clearly reflects a mood. (something I should have remembered from stage and jazz band)
What seems clear to me that music is more of a choice of similar styles or melodies over a specific artist. Look at your favorite songs, see if I am right.