One thing that just came to mind after reading this is how a piece can speak to two people differently. For example, I'm a novelist (aspiring to publication) and I like writing to soundtracks. But I usually have never actually seen the movies, because many of them are too violent or gory. And I rarely make the connection to the story at all - but go with what the song makes me think of.
One example is actually not from a soundtrack, but the "Wedding Song" also called "There Is Love". Almost everyone associates that with marriage and now I'm beginning to. But when I was a child I heard a gospel song about a martyr that had a similar tune. (I can't recall the artist or title, sorry). And so I always associated the tune, even from the Wedding Song, with the image of someone facing their death. I had to serve as a flower girl at one point and I remember feeling queasy when I had to hear it. Now it doesn't bother me, but I still have a bit of that association, so I used the song while writing a scene where a character is facing what he believes will be an execution. (He actually lives). And it made the experience of writing it very powerful for me.
He is now to be among you at the calling of your hearts,
Rest assured this troubadour is acting on His part.
The union of your spirits, here, has caused Him to remain,
For whenever two or more of you are gathered in His name
There is love,
There is love.
^Age could be a factor, too. Musical expression, artistry and originality tend to go hand in hand with maturity, but with a sports that is now heavily skewed towards teenagers or very young adults, who at their age are more inclined to copy/imitate their heroes than develop original and creative programs, it's no surprise most programs use the same music over and over again. It's a rare talent who is able to develop their own original style at a very young age.