The Science Behind Earworms: Why Songs Get Stuck in Your Head

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head? Well, you're not alone. Research has found that this is very common, labeling the persistent melodies in our heads as 'earworms'. Although scientists don't exactly know why certain songs get stuck in our heads, they have found that it happens more with certain songs than others. Psychologist Ira Hyman from Western Washington University said that 'some people constantly have music running through their heads'. A specific situation, word, or sound that reminds you of a particular song can lead that song to become an earworm, according to Callula Killingly, an expert on earworms. Musical elements like tempo and sustained notes (as in Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You') help a song stay in your head longer. Also, the frequency with which we hear a song can contribute to it getting stuck in our heads, like those annoying viral TikTok songs that play on a loop. Dr. Hyman notes that earworms are more likely to occur when the mind is not occupied, so tasks like doing the dishes often lead to songs getting stuck in your head. Researchers have found that chewing gum, social interactions, or trying to replace the song with one you don't like are effective ways to 'release' a song from your head.