There’s a Scientific Reason We Like Repetition Repetition Repetition in Music
Take a close listen to Rage Against the Machine’s “Killing in the Name.” Here’s part of what you’ll hear:
Killing in the name of
Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses
Some of those that work forces, are the same that burn crosses
Huh!
Killing in the name of
Killing in the name of
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
And now you do what they told ya
But now you do what they told ya
Well now you do what they told ya
There’s more, but it’s more of the same over and over and over again, including 17 recitations of “F–k you! I won’t do what you tell me!”
When it’s laid out in text, it looks like of…weird. But when you’re listening to the song, it all sounds awesome. Obviously, there’s something at work here involving repetition and music. This podcast from Vox Pop’s Earworm explores why we seem to like the same thing over and over and over again. Click on the graphic to listen.