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 It happens to most of us. Maybe a word triggers it; maybe a memory. Regardless, we have all been victims of the “earworm” phenomenon, where a song occupies space in your head, repeating over and over again.
My earworm song is typically summoned with a simple “Stop!” And, voila! Ice, Ice Baby will become a temporary, if not annoying, tenant in my head for untold minutes or even hours.
You don’t have to love a song (see above) for it to get stuck in your head. There is a formula for embedding and some songs are designed to fit that formula (think pop music, commercial jingles, etc.). According to a study by Dr. Kelly Jakubowski, a music psychologist at Durham University in the UK, it is not exactly word association that encourages a song to repeat in one’s head but a combination of three things: pace, shape of melody, and unique intervals.
What determines which song will end up on repeat? Most of the answers are obvious: frequent exposure to particular songs, especially songs that are popular and getting considerable radio play. The song that sticks will likely have an upbeat pace with fluctuating pitch. Typically, earworms are up-tempo, encouraging the listener to move. The number one example of an earworm song, according to Jakubowski, is Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance.
Generally, an earworm occurs when our brains are in some sort of “relaxation” mode; while we do chores, while we shower, while we drive, etc. Earworms seem to attach when we are at our most vulnerable. But the associations, as reported by two-thirds of the research participants, were typically positive or neutral.
According to the study, another component making us susceptible to an earworm invasion is being a music lover. However, another study suggests that those who suffer from Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCDs) are more vulnerable to contracting earworms. Regardless of the cause, on average, listeners can expect to have an “invasion” at least once a week.
Some possible treatments for earworms as suggested by the study include distracting yourself with another song (which, unfortunately, may result in creating yet another earworm). It was also suggested that listening to the culprit song to completion might aid in ousting the unwanted tenant. In extreme cases, one of the studies recommended medications used to treat anxiety disorders and OCDs. Other, more benign, treatments include chewing gum and playing Sudoku.
For the list of the top offending earworm songs, go to https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2016-11/du-wss110116.php. Does your song make the list? Do you have more than one song?
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Re: What Is Your Earworm?
