Can't get that annoying song out of your head? Harvard did research and this is how it works.

Harvard regularly conducts funny research. This time they examined the phenomenon of ‘the song you just can't get out of your head’. And, good news: there are solutions.

Which songs stick?

Usually, it's the more uptempo songs that stick. Also, songs with longer sustained notes, think for example of Whitney Houston's belting in ‘I Will Always Love You’, can get stuck in your head. Not surprisingly, the more often you hear a song, the greater the chance that you won't be able to shake it off. The earworms are often the big radio hits or the viral TikTok sounds. But even if you haven't heard something in a while, it can suddenly come back. If someone mentions the name Bruno Mars, you suddenly have ‘Uptown Funk’ in your head. Also, if you see an outfit hanging in your closet that you happened to wear at a concert, you suddenly start singing something you heard that night.

Still listen one more time

Although it may sound very tempting, avoiding the song completely doesn't help. It's a bit like telling someone not to think about a pink elephant. Because, what do you end up thinking about? The harder you try not to think about the song, the more it sticks in your head. According to researchers, it actually helps to listen to the song all the way through. Often only snippets stick in your head, and by giving your brain all the information, you can let it go afterward.

Chewing gum will help you

If you really can't handle putting it on again, luckily there are some other tricks you can try. The simplest: just grab a piece of gum. During the study, participants were instructed not to think about a song for three minutes right after hearing it. Half of the group got gum and the other half did not. Among those who chewed gum during the three minutes, the song stuck less. Chewing keeps your brain too busy to think about the song. Other forms of distraction can also work. For example, you could play a game or chat with someone. Slowly but surely, the song will fade from your mind, although it’s probably just a matter of waiting for the next song.

Source: NY Times & Harvard Health Publishing