Science Quickly
Why Do Songs Get Stuck in Your Head?
Feb 28, 2025
In this discussion, Josh Fischman, senior editor at Scientific American with expertise in the psychology of earworms, reveals the science behind why certain songs loop endlessly in our minds. He explains how specific traits, like a tempo around 124 beats per minute, make some tunes more sticky than others. The conversation includes strategies to combat these pesky earworms and shares hilarious listener stories about their most unforgettable songs. Get ready to uncover the psychology behind those catchy melodies!
19:57
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Quick takeaways
- Earworms represent a fascinating intersection of memory and emotion, highlighting how our moods and experiences can trigger specific melodies to re-emerge in our minds.
- Techniques like chewing gum or actively listening to another song can effectively disrupt unwanted earworms by distracting the brain's melodic processing.
Deep dives
Understanding Earworms
Earworms are catchy fragments of songs that get stuck in our heads, often involuntarily. Research shows that these tunes typically arise from songs we know well, and they may reflect how our musical memory works. Psychologists classify earworms as involuntary musical imagery, offering a glimpse into our memory processes. They provide insight into how associations and moods trigger certain songs, suggesting a deep connection between music and our cognitive functioning.
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