Why Do Songs Get Stuck in Your Head?

This podcast episode explores the science behind earworms—songs that get stuck in one's head. The interview features a Scientific American editor and a psychologist who discuss the commonality of earworms, their triggers (recent exposure, mood, non-musical associations, and mental state), and potential ways to get rid of them (listening to other music or chewing gum). Research suggests that songs with tempos around 124 beats per minute and repetitive melodic patterns are more likely to become earworms. The episode concludes with listener-submitted examples of earworms, highlighting the prevalence and sometimes frustrating nature of this phenomenon.