Medical Mysteries of MusicOngoing History of New Music

Ongoing History Daily: What makes an earworm stick in your head? (Part 2)

Here’s another fact about earworms, those song segments that get looped into our brains. Some people are more susceptible to earworms than others.

For example, people with obsessive-compulsive tendencies tend to suffer from earworms more than the general population. This is because they struggle with various intrusive and bossy thoughts that are difficult to control. Earworms are reportedly also stronger in highly creative people, those classified as perfectionists, and people who are classified as having neuroticism, which is the tendency to experience negative emotions like anger, depression, and anxiety.

One more look at earworms next time.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 40054 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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