An ear worm (from the German Ohrwurm) is also known as sticky music or stuck song syndrome (according to Wikipedia) and describes a catchy or memorable piece of music that occupies the mind long after being played or heard. Apparently up to 90% of the population can experience ear worms, although I’m not sure how that figure is calculated! 

I have a constant soundtrack playing in my head, as often as not following one of the two community choir sessions I attend each week. Currently, since you ask, it’s either “Sing, sing, sing (with a swing)”, a jazz song from the 1930s or an arrangement of Johnny Nash’s 1972 hit “I can see clearly now”. 

For me the melody can create an ear worm – slow classical piano music in particular, such as Fauré’s Pavane or Gymnopédie No 1 by Erik Satie, both of which have occupied my headspace on a regular basis. There is a huge body of research into how such music can aid relaxation and reduce stress – maybe an ear worm can help prolong this?

Other times, an ear worm can get into my head if the lyrics particularly appeal to me. One such song over the years has been James Taylor’s 1971 version of “You’ve got a friend”, composed by Carol King, these lines especially:

Now ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend

When people can be so cold?

They’ll hurt you, and desert you

And take your soul if you let them.

Oh, but don’t you let them!

This sentiment has helped me through many a time when life has proved difficult for one reason or another.

And what can you do about those ear worms which are annoying but won’t go away? Listening to a podcast, especially a documentary, does it for me. Apparently singing “Happy Birthday” in your head is meant to help too so maybe I’ll try that next time I’m stuck with an annoying boy band song (boy bands are really not my thing!)

So, how about you? Do you find ear worms beneficial in helping to banish intrusive thoughts-or at least keep them in the background for a while? And bonus points if you can recognise the significance of the title of today’s blog!

Welshgirl

A Moodscope member