The Psychology of Why Certain Songs Get Stuck in Our Heads
We've all experienced it: a song lodges itself in your brain and plays on repeat for hours, sometimes days. Scientists call this phenomenon an "earworm" or "involuntary musical imagery." As a cognitive psychologist who studies music perception, I find these sticky songs fascinating.
What Makes a Song Catchy?
Research has identified several features that make songs more likely to become earworms:
Melodic contour: Songs with distinctive up-and-down patterns in their melodies are more memorable. Think of the opening of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"—that octave leap is instantly recognizable.
Repetition: Both within the song and in how often you hear it. The more exposure, the stickier it becomes.
Moderate complexity: Too simple and it's forgettable; too complex and it's hard to remember. The sweet spot is music that's interesting but still predictable enough to anticipate.
Emotional resonance: Songs connected to strong emotions or memories have more staying power.
The Science Behind It
Earworms activate the auditory cortex—the same brain region that processes actual sound. When a song gets stuck, your brain is essentially "hearing" music that isn't there. Brain imaging studies show that the motor cortex also activates, which is why you might find yourself tapping along to an imaginary beat.
Why Do They Happen?
Several triggers can set off an earworm:
- Recent exposure to the song
- Environmental cues (hearing a word from the lyrics, seeing something related to the song)
- Emotional states similar to when you first heard the song
- Low cognitive load (your brain has spare capacity to fill)
How to Get Rid of Them
If an earworm is driving you crazy, try these evidence-based strategies:
- Listen to the whole song: Sometimes your brain is trying to "complete" an unfinished musical phrase.
- Engage in a demanding task: Give your brain something else to process.
- Listen to a different song: Replace one earworm with another (hopefully less annoying one).
- Chew gum: Studies show this can interfere with the subvocalization that maintains earworms.
Embrace the Worm
Earworms aren't all bad. They're a sign of a healthy, active brain. They connect us to memories and emotions. And they remind us of music's remarkable power over our minds.
The next time a song gets stuck in your head, take a moment to appreciate the complex cognitive processes at work—then maybe try the chewing gum trick.