logo
episode-header-image
Jul 2021
30m 55s

Why do songs get stuck in our heads?

American Public Media
About this episode

You know that feeling where you get a snippet of a song stuck in your head and it loops over and over? Those hard to shake songs are also known as earworms, and in this episode Molly has a particularly sticky one in her brain.


We'll find out why some songs are catchier than others and, most importantly, scientifically-proven ways to get rid of them.


Plus, we'll hear a mystery sound and a Moment of Um that answers the question: "Do spiders have bones?"


Today’s episode is sponsored by KiwiCo (kiwico.com/brainson) and you can listen to Million Bazillion wherever you get your podcasts.


You can support Brains On at brainson.org/fans — there you can check out our merch, join our free fan club, donate or buy our book!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Up next
Mar 10
It's time for the....Mystery Sound Extravaganza!
What's better than a mystery sound? How about 11 mystery sounds! We have mystery sounds from listeners all over the world to share with you, plus two from scientists. And our co-host Juniper will try to stump Molly with a mystery sound of her own!Click here to read a transcript o ... Show More
34m 1s
Mar 3
Why do we have Daylight Saving Time?
Every spring we set our clocks one hour forward. Every fall we move them one hour back. It’s a strange ritual when you think about it, so why do we do it? Join Molly and co-host Ava as they explore the seasons and why days are shorter in the winter and longer in the summer. We’ll ... Show More
23m 55s
Feb 27
New Brains On tour dates added: St. Paul, Atlanta, Portland -- and more!
Exciting news! We’ve announced a bunch of new tour stops for this spring! Learn more about the show and get tickets here! Mar 7............MILWAUKEE Mar 8..................ST PAUL Mar 28..............ATLANTA Mar 29.....FT LAUDERDALE Apr 11......CHATTANOOGA Apr 12................. ... Show More
1m 4s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2019
How does a song get stuck in your head?
Whether it’s a doot doot doot of an opening riff or a random mix of words from the chorus, 99 per cent of people admit to getting songs stuck in their heads. So what is it about certain songs that make them so catchy? How does a song get stuck in your head? For transcripts of thi ... Show More
25m 51s
Jul 2022
Why is this song stuck in my head?
<p>You have probably experienced an ‘earworm’ - a catchy bit of music that plays round and round in your head and won’t go away – at least for a short while. But why did it pop up in the first place and how did it get stuck?</p><p>CrowdScience listener Ryota in Japan wants us to ... Show More
32m 33s
Dec 2023
Pourquoi certaines chansons restent-elles en tête ?
"Maintenant Vous Savez" c'est également deux autres podcasts qui décryptent la culture avec "Maintenant Vous Savez - Culture" et la santé avec "Maintenant Vous Savez - Santé". Quatre fois par semaine, nous vous proposons de découvrir les meilleurs épisodes.  Ça nous est déjà arri ... Show More
4m 35s
Oct 2021
Ep 28: Why songs get stuck in our heads
tail spinning
24m 59s
Aug 2019
ICYMI: Why is 90s Pop so Bizarre?
Today we're revisiting an episode inspired by a pair of classic VH1 shows: “Behind the Music” and “Where Are They Now?” Our subjects are two songs representing the lunatic fringe of 90s culture, “Cotton Eyed Joe” and “How Bizarre.” In the course of our musicological investigation ... Show More
47m 30s
May 2023
Bug Translation Guide: Decoding Buzzes, Chirps, & Clicks
Why do bugs make the sounds they do? And how do they make them? In this episode, we explore the un-bee-lievable world of insect sounds, including crickets who craft tools to make themselves louder, and moths who can jam the natural sonar of bats. By the time it’s over, you’ll nev ... Show More
27m 46s
Oct 2021
Why Music Sticks in Our Brains
Why do some songs can stick with us for a long time, even when other memories start to fade? Science reporter (and former Short Wave intern) Rasha Aridi explains the neuroscience behind that surprising moment of, "Wow, how do I still remember that song?!" Email the show at shortw ... Show More
13m 23s
Jul 2018
Why is 90s Pop so Bizarre?
The Switched on Pop Summer Throwback Series continues! This time, with a deep dive into the musical detritus of the 1990s. In true 90s fashion, our episode is inspired by a pair of classic VH1 shows; "Behind the Music" and "Where Are They Now?" Our subjects are two songs represen ... Show More
48m 41s