Hey there! I’m Craig, and today we’re diving into a fascinating topic: why do songs get stuck in our heads? These catchy tunes are called “earworms,” and we’re going to explore why they happen. Let’s jump in!
Earworms are those pesky tunes that loop in your mind. Did you know that about 92% of people experience earworms at least once a week? These songs often have certain features, like long notes and small pitch intervals. Usually, it’s just a short part of the song, often the chorus, that gets stuck. This makes sense because the chorus is repeated a lot in songs.
Both men and women get earworms, but women might have them for longer. Some people are more prone to earworms, especially if they love music or have obsessive traits.
Researchers at Dartmouth College found that a part of our brain called the auditory cortex might be responsible. When you hear a song, this part of your brain gets active. Even if the song stops, your brain can keep “playing” it. It’s like your brain has a built-in music player!
Earworms can be triggered by hearing a song multiple times. They often pop up during boring tasks like chores or waiting in line. For instance, you might think of the song “Car Wash” while at a car wash.
Emotions might also play a role. Sometimes, stress can lead to earworms. Interestingly, people often feel better after having a song stuck in their head.
If you’re tired of a song looping in your mind, try these tips: listen to the song a few times, read a book, do a crossword puzzle, or tackle some tricky anagrams. Watching something fun, like a Mental Floss video, might help too!
Thanks for exploring earworms with me! If you have any big questions you’d like answered, feel free to share them. See you next time!
Think about a catchy tune you know well. Now, try to create your own short song with a catchy chorus. Use long notes and small pitch intervals, just like the earworms we talked about. Share your song with the class and see if it gets stuck in anyone’s head!
Keep a journal for a week and note down any earworms you experience. Write about where you were and what you were doing when the song got stuck in your head. At the end of the week, share your findings with the class and discuss any patterns you noticed.
In small groups, brainstorm different situations or activities that might trigger earworms. Think about times when you might be bored or stressed. Create a poster with your ideas and present it to the class.
Design a step-by-step plan to help someone get rid of an earworm. Include activities like listening to the song, reading, or doing puzzles. Share your plan with a partner and discuss which methods you think are most effective.
Create a piece of art that represents an earworm. Use colors, shapes, and patterns to show how a song might loop in your mind. Display your artwork in the classroom and explain your creative process to your classmates.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Hi, I’m Craig, and this is a Mental Floss video. Today, I’m going to answer Tobias Anderson’s big question: why do we get songs stuck in our heads? A song that gets stuck in your head is called an “earworm,” and today we’re going to discuss some research on why earworms exist. Let’s get started!
Let’s start with some quick facts about earworms. According to one study, 92% of people get a song stuck in their head at least once a week. These songs often have particular qualities, and they might not always be the best songs. They typically contain long notes with minimal separation between pitches, also known as small pitch intervals. What becomes an earworm from the song is usually only about eight seconds worth of the tune, often coming from the chorus. According to one study, you typically have to hear a song many times before it gets stuck in your head. Since the chorus gets repeated the most within a song, it makes sense that it becomes the earworm.
Studies show that both women and men experience earworms about as often, but women tend to have them for longer periods of time. Certain people are more susceptible to earworms; for example, those who find music extremely important may have more problems with them, as well as individuals with obsessive qualities.
Now, let’s explore some causes of earworms. One study conducted at Dartmouth College discovered that the auditory cortex in the brain might play a role. After playing a song that the study’s participants knew, their auditory cortex would activate, and their brains could continue playing music even when the song was paused. According to the lead researcher, the auditory cortex that is active when you’re actually listening to a song was reactivated when you just imagine hearing the song.
There are a few things that might trigger earworms. As mentioned earlier, a song is more likely to get stuck in your head after you’ve heard it a few times. Mundane tasks like chores and waiting in line are also associated with earworms, and specific tasks may influence the earworm song. For example, you might get the song “Car Wash” stuck in your head when you’re waiting at the car wash.
There may be an emotional component as well; earworms have been identified as a side effect of stress in some cases. Interestingly, studies have shown that people report better moods after having a song stuck in their head.
Of course, you might be wondering how to get rid of an earworm. A couple of tips include listening to the song a few times, reading a book, doing a crossword puzzle, or solving some difficult anagrams. You could also watch Mental Floss; I don’t know if that will work, but it should be entertaining!
Thanks for watching this Mental Floss video, which is made with the help of these earworms. If you have a big question of your own that you’d like answered, leave it below in the comments. See you next week!
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Let me know if you need any further modifications!
Earworms – Catchy pieces of music that repeat in a person’s mind after they are no longer playing. – Sometimes, a catchy song becomes an earworm and plays in my head all day long.
Music – Vocal or instrumental sounds combined to produce harmony and expression of emotion. – Listening to music can help improve my mood and make me feel more relaxed.
Brain – The organ in our head that controls thoughts, memory, and emotions. – Music can stimulate different parts of the brain, helping us to feel happy or excited.
Cortex – The outer layer of the brain involved in complex functions like perception and thought. – The auditory cortex processes the sounds we hear, including music.
Emotions – Strong feelings such as happiness, sadness, or anger that are often influenced by music. – Certain songs can evoke strong emotions and bring back memories.
Stress – A feeling of emotional or physical tension that can be reduced by listening to calming music. – Playing soothing music can help reduce stress and make me feel more at ease.
Songs – Musical compositions with lyrics that are sung. – I love singing along to my favorite songs when I feel happy.
Chorus – The part of a song that is repeated after each verse, often the most memorable part. – The chorus of the song was so catchy that everyone sang along.
Researchers – People who study and investigate topics to discover new information. – Researchers at universities often study how music affects the brain and emotions.
Dartmouth College – A university where researchers study the effects of music on the brain. – At Dartmouth College, scientists are exploring how music can influence our thoughts and feelings.
