That's a good reason to adopt ambient music. It is earworm-resistant! Not really hummable and rarely has lyrics. Joke about ambient music all you like, but it has advantages. Plus, the best examples are quite fresh even after hearing many times. If you ever want a few recommendations, let me know!
Hi Rosana, love this article! I have to say I don't have that ear-worm problem, unless I'm trying to learn a song on the guitar; then I hear it until I learn it, but it's my choice. I can switch songs in and out of my head as easy as flipping a light switch. Now my issue with this article is what you said about Barry Manilow, "Barry Manilow is up there for me in terms of ’70s mishaps..." I have to strongly disagree with this statement. Growing up in Venezuela, he was the biggest thing that hit our world. I danced for the first time with a girl to the song "Mandy". I kissed for the first time while the song "Ready to Take a Chance Again" was playing, and I even started gardening after listening to one of his biggest hits: "Looks like tomatoes". Barry Manilow should be regarded as a National Hero!
You're lucky not to be prone to earworms! Actually, it was you I was thinking of when I said Barry Manilow is linked to good memories for some. Funny what different reactions we all have to music. ;-) I can see why he would hold a place in your heart, with all those key memories!
“Seasons in the Sun” is an iconic song for me. It’s one of the first songs I remember hearing, one of my earliest earworms. (Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee” was the first; my parents say I would sing it from the backseat of the car when I was a year old.) But “Seasons” is one of the first I remember, and it’s tinged with melancholy and regret, lost time. It has that upbeat pop melody and chorus, but it’s ironically so sad to me. :)
Interesting perspective. A lot of salsa songs have an upbeat melody and chorus but are about sad things — but they don't feel like bubble gum, the way this one does. We certainly all have different associations with music, and music is said to be the only thing that can reach some people with Alzheimer's. The neural connections are deep.
Ah, so true! I'm wondering what The Song is, but also trying not to think too hard about it for fear that whatever it is will also get stuck in my head! (And I love that Seinfeld clip!)
Just for fun, I asked ChatGTP (the new AI thingie everyone's talking about) to write an article about earworms. Here's what it came up with:
An earworm, also known as a brainworm or a sticky tune, is a catchy piece of music that gets stuck in your head. It's that song that you can't get out of your head no matter how hard you try.
Earworms are a common phenomenon and can happen to anyone. They are often triggered by a particular song or melody that you hear, and once it gets stuck in your head, it can be difficult to shake it loose.
The scientific term for an earworm is "involuntary musical imagery," and it is thought to be caused by a combination of factors, including the structure of the song itself, your emotional state, and even your individual brain chemistry.
There are a few theories as to why earworms happen. One theory is that they are caused by a cognitive glitch in the brain, where the brain gets stuck in a loop trying to process a particular melody. Another theory is that they are a way for the brain to process and make sense of emotions, such as anxiety or stress.
Regardless of the reason, earworms can be annoying and distracting. If you find yourself stuck with an earworm, there are a few strategies you can try to shake it loose.
One approach is to distract yourself with a different activity, such as reading, doing a crossword puzzle, or even singing a different song. This can help to break the loop in your brain and get rid of the earworm.
Another approach is to try to "complete" the song in your head. This can involve singing or humming the rest of the song, or even making up your own lyrics to finish it off. This can also help to break the loop and get rid of the earworm.
In some cases, it may be helpful to listen to the song that is stuck in your head in its entirety. This can help to "reset" your brain and allow you to move on from the earworm.
Overall, earworms are a common and mostly harmless phenomenon. While they can be annoying, there are strategies you can try to shake them loose and get on with your day.
Next, I asked it to write a "humourous article about earworms." The result:
Are you plagued by pesky earworms that just won't go away? Do you find yourself humming the same tune over and over again, no matter how hard you try to shake it loose? Fear not, dear reader, for you are not alone.
Earworms, also known as brainworms or sticky tunes, are those pesky pieces of music that get stuck in your head and refuse to leave. They are the bane of many people's existence, and can cause endless frustration and annoyance.
But fear not, for there are ways to get rid of those pesky earworms once and for all. Here are a few tried and true methods for banishing those brainworms from your mind:
- Distract yourself with a different activity. This can be anything from reading a book to doing a crossword puzzle to singing a different song. The idea is to break the loop in your brain and get that earworm out of your head.
- Try to "complete" the song in your head. This can involve singing or humming the rest of the song, or even making up your own lyrics to finish it off. This can also help to break the loop and get rid of the earworm.
- Listen to the song in its entirety. This may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes listening to the song that is stuck in your head can help to "reset" your brain and allow you to move on from the earworm.
- If all else fails, try the "earworm exorcism" method. This involves standing on your head, spinning around three times, and yelling "earworm be gone!" at the top of your lungs. While this method is not scientifically proven, many people swear by its effectiveness.
So next time you find yourself stuck with an earworm, try one of these methods and banish those brainworms once and for all. Happy humming!
That's a good reason to adopt ambient music. It is earworm-resistant! Not really hummable and rarely has lyrics. Joke about ambient music all you like, but it has advantages. Plus, the best examples are quite fresh even after hearing many times. If you ever want a few recommendations, let me know!
Hahahahaha
Hi Rosana, love this article! I have to say I don't have that ear-worm problem, unless I'm trying to learn a song on the guitar; then I hear it until I learn it, but it's my choice. I can switch songs in and out of my head as easy as flipping a light switch. Now my issue with this article is what you said about Barry Manilow, "Barry Manilow is up there for me in terms of ’70s mishaps..." I have to strongly disagree with this statement. Growing up in Venezuela, he was the biggest thing that hit our world. I danced for the first time with a girl to the song "Mandy". I kissed for the first time while the song "Ready to Take a Chance Again" was playing, and I even started gardening after listening to one of his biggest hits: "Looks like tomatoes". Barry Manilow should be regarded as a National Hero!
You're lucky not to be prone to earworms! Actually, it was you I was thinking of when I said Barry Manilow is linked to good memories for some. Funny what different reactions we all have to music. ;-) I can see why he would hold a place in your heart, with all those key memories!
“Seasons in the Sun” is an iconic song for me. It’s one of the first songs I remember hearing, one of my earliest earworms. (Joplin’s “Me and Bobby McGee” was the first; my parents say I would sing it from the backseat of the car when I was a year old.) But “Seasons” is one of the first I remember, and it’s tinged with melancholy and regret, lost time. It has that upbeat pop melody and chorus, but it’s ironically so sad to me. :)
Interesting perspective. A lot of salsa songs have an upbeat melody and chorus but are about sad things — but they don't feel like bubble gum, the way this one does. We certainly all have different associations with music, and music is said to be the only thing that can reach some people with Alzheimer's. The neural connections are deep.
If it's Little Drummer Boy, I'm right there with you!
I will not say what it is! I will not say! ;-)
Ah, so true! I'm wondering what The Song is, but also trying not to think too hard about it for fear that whatever it is will also get stuck in my head! (And I love that Seinfeld clip!)
That is the danger! Do not think about it! Just don't. ;-)
Just for fun, I asked ChatGTP (the new AI thingie everyone's talking about) to write an article about earworms. Here's what it came up with:
An earworm, also known as a brainworm or a sticky tune, is a catchy piece of music that gets stuck in your head. It's that song that you can't get out of your head no matter how hard you try.
Earworms are a common phenomenon and can happen to anyone. They are often triggered by a particular song or melody that you hear, and once it gets stuck in your head, it can be difficult to shake it loose.
The scientific term for an earworm is "involuntary musical imagery," and it is thought to be caused by a combination of factors, including the structure of the song itself, your emotional state, and even your individual brain chemistry.
There are a few theories as to why earworms happen. One theory is that they are caused by a cognitive glitch in the brain, where the brain gets stuck in a loop trying to process a particular melody. Another theory is that they are a way for the brain to process and make sense of emotions, such as anxiety or stress.
Regardless of the reason, earworms can be annoying and distracting. If you find yourself stuck with an earworm, there are a few strategies you can try to shake it loose.
One approach is to distract yourself with a different activity, such as reading, doing a crossword puzzle, or even singing a different song. This can help to break the loop in your brain and get rid of the earworm.
Another approach is to try to "complete" the song in your head. This can involve singing or humming the rest of the song, or even making up your own lyrics to finish it off. This can also help to break the loop and get rid of the earworm.
In some cases, it may be helpful to listen to the song that is stuck in your head in its entirety. This can help to "reset" your brain and allow you to move on from the earworm.
Overall, earworms are a common and mostly harmless phenomenon. While they can be annoying, there are strategies you can try to shake them loose and get on with your day.
Next, I asked it to write a "humourous article about earworms." The result:
Are you plagued by pesky earworms that just won't go away? Do you find yourself humming the same tune over and over again, no matter how hard you try to shake it loose? Fear not, dear reader, for you are not alone.
Earworms, also known as brainworms or sticky tunes, are those pesky pieces of music that get stuck in your head and refuse to leave. They are the bane of many people's existence, and can cause endless frustration and annoyance.
But fear not, for there are ways to get rid of those pesky earworms once and for all. Here are a few tried and true methods for banishing those brainworms from your mind:
- Distract yourself with a different activity. This can be anything from reading a book to doing a crossword puzzle to singing a different song. The idea is to break the loop in your brain and get that earworm out of your head.
- Try to "complete" the song in your head. This can involve singing or humming the rest of the song, or even making up your own lyrics to finish it off. This can also help to break the loop and get rid of the earworm.
- Listen to the song in its entirety. This may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes listening to the song that is stuck in your head can help to "reset" your brain and allow you to move on from the earworm.
- If all else fails, try the "earworm exorcism" method. This involves standing on your head, spinning around three times, and yelling "earworm be gone!" at the top of your lungs. While this method is not scientifically proven, many people swear by its effectiveness.
So next time you find yourself stuck with an earworm, try one of these methods and banish those brainworms once and for all. Happy humming!
Thanks to Sheila McGinn for reminding me of a '70s atrocity I somehow neglected to include in this post: Cats in the Cradle! Oh, the memories ...