Music Earworms: Tunes You Can't Escape From


(Before you ask, yes, today's blog is inspired by that one Spongebob episode)


One of my favorite bands Thornhill released a new banger called Silver Swarm, and needless to say, it's been on repeat on my Spotify for DAYS. I usually try not to get this hooked onto a song this bad because I'll end up getting sick of it in the near future. However, it's been such an enticing sound for me that I think I have a serious case of a music earworm. 

As I find myself nodding to the same tune over and over, I start to wonder why certain songs have this incredible ability to burrow into our minds and refuse to leave. It's a universal experience—almost everyone has had a song stuck in their head at some point. But what makes this happen? Is it the catchy melody, the memorable lyrics, or something deeper?

From what I've gathered at a psychological standpoint, earworms are linked to mind wandering and spontaneous thought processes. They engage our working memory, particularly with vocal music, creating a cognitive itch that we can't scratch. This itch can become a vicious loop when we try to suppress the song, only to have it come back stronger. It's almost as if our brains are trying to solve a puzzle, replaying the song until we've fully processed its meaning or emotional impact.

They're a testament to the power of music to capture our hearts and minds. Whether it's a catchy melody, a poignant lyric, or a memory tied to a specific song, music has a way of embedding itself in our consciousness.

(FYI, If you're a fan of songs from Deftones or Sleep Token, I absolutely recommend Silver Swarm to you)


Comments

  1. Brennan JacobsonMarch 12, 2025 at 11:37 PM

    I thought this subject was really interesting! I know I tend to do the same when I encounter something new I enjoy, I play it over and over again, sometimes to the point that I get tired of hearing it. I think it's fascinating that our memory can work together with music to create a new meaning or association, and its thought provoking that so many people have experienced it.

    My current earworm is: Regressa - kaz moon. I just wish it was longer.

    ReplyDelete
  2. HRottierMarch 13, 2025 at 5:56 AM

    I've heard that ear worms are your brain trying to figure something about the song out. My inclination is always to stay clear of whatever tune is stuck in my head, but supposedly it's better to listening, and always in the entirety, to give your brain what it needs to solve the problem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fernando CMarch 18, 2025 at 9:11 PM

      That's a good point, maybe listening until you get sick of it is truly the best solution!

      Delete

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