Locations:
Search IconSearch

Earworms: Why Certain Songs Get Stuck in Your Head

‘Tune wedgies’ can play on repeat due to your brain’s storage and operating system — and something known as the phonological loop

Person walking on walkway, swaying hands to music

A certain catchy tune pops into your head out of nowhere — and it won’t stop playing. The song just keeps going on a seemingly endless loop. Our diagnosis? You’ve been infected with an earworm.

Advertisement

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy

Psychologist Kia-Rai Prewitt, PhD, explains what that means and what you can do to hit pause.

What is an earworm?

“Earworm” is the colorful term for a song that gets stuck on repeat mode in your head. The name comes from the German word ohrwurm, which has long been used to describe this phenomenon.

The phrase is also a nod to the earwig, a creepy-looking insect accused of crawling into people’s ears to wander their brain. (The bugs typically don’t do that, by the way.)

“The imagery of an earworm is pretty spot on when you think about it,” says Dr. Prewitt. “These songs crawl into your head, seemingly out of nowhere, and then just keep going on and on.”

A more scientific term for this experience is involuntary musical imagery, or INMI — a perfect acronym if you think about it. Less official names include stuck song syndrome, musical imagery repetition and tune wedgies.

Most earworms are just a portion of a song running 15 to 30 seconds. It’s often the repetitive “hook” of a song, or that infectious chorus you can belt out without even thinking about the words.

Why do songs get stuck in your head?

Your brain’s storage and operating system — and particularly something known as the phonological loop — creates an ideal environment for an earworm to boogie-woogie all over your grey matter.

Advertisement

The phonological loop connects your auditory cortex — the part of your brain responsible for processing sounds — to other areas of your brain that deal with memory and emotions.

“There are a lot of complexities as to why earworms happen, but there’s typically a trigger that connects a song to a memory or emotion,” explains Dr. Prewitt. “Next thing you know, it’s playing in your head.”

It doesn’t take much to get a concert started in your cranium either. Hearing a certain word or sound might do it. Ditto for seeing a picture or tasting something that takes you back to a certain time and place in your memories.

But to be honest, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what unleashes an earworm: “It really doesn’t take much to get it going,” says Dr. Prewitt.

Are certain songs more likely to be earworms?

Absolutely! Songs tend to be stickier with:

  • Repetitiveness
  • A simple yet distinctive melody, often involving a rising then falling pitch
  • Chart-topping success

Examples include tunes like “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga and “We Will Rock You” by Queen.

Are some people more likely to experience earworms?

Earworms are extremely common, with nearly 90% of people in one study saying they experience them at least once a week. But certain traits or conditions can make you more likely to queue up an internal song. The list includes:

  • Being an avid music listener: The more tunes you put in your head, the more likely you are to have one of them start playing in your noggin at random times.
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): A study found that earworm frequency is strongly associated with 22 OCD behaviors, including physical movements (like foot tapping) and repetitive mental behaviors (like counting and spelling).
  • Stress and anxiety: Some researchers believe that the mental load carried during stressful times can open the door for earworms to take the stage.

How to get rid of an earworm

Tips to silence earworms

So, what can you do to evict an earworm? Here are a few things to try:

  • Listen to the whole song: Remember how earworms typically are short bursts of a song? Well, it turns out that listening to the whole tune might “unstick” that one catchy part from your brain. “Lean into it,” advises Dr. Prewitt.
  • Hit shuffle on your playlist: Rocking out to another song can help push a stubborn earworm out of your mind. (Just be careful not to sub in another one!)
  • Refocus your thoughts: Watch a movie. Go for a walk. Call someone on the phone. Do a puzzle. “Doing something that brings you into the present can help get that earworm out,” recommends Dr. Prewitt.
  • Chew gum: Researchers found that chewing gum can reduce musical thoughts by interfering with your verbal memory.

Advertisement

And if all else fails, just wait. Earworms don’t last forever, even if they feel like they do!

Advertisement

Learn more about our editorial process.

Health Library
Memory

Related Articles

Teacher calling on favorite student, with stars around the student's head
September 15, 2025/Mental Health
How the Halo Effect Can Shape Your Opinions of People

When someone has a quality or trait you admire, you may assume they have other unrelated positive qualities, too

Person talking while looking at their reflection in a mirror
February 4, 2022/Mental Health
Talking to Yourself: Is It Normal?

Self-talk can help reduce stress, increase focus and boost self-esteem

Person with eyes closed, rubbing one eye
September 15, 2025/Brain & Nervous System
Don’t Ignore These Possible Early Signs of Multiple Sclerosis

Painful vision loss, facial paralysis, limb weakness and persistent dizziness all indicate you should see a healthcare provider immediately

A family sitting at the kitchen table, with cups and plates around, playing on a tablet together
September 9, 2025/Mental Health
What Motivates You? Understanding Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

This theory of human motivation says people seek to meet their needs in a predictable order

Healthcare provider showing brain scans on a tablet
August 20, 2025/Brain & Nervous System
Epidural vs. Subdural Hematomas: What Are They?

Both are a collection of blood in your brain, but they happen in different parts, for different reasons and with different symptoms

Child with finger in their nose
August 7, 2025/Children's Health
Is It Bad To Eat Boogers?

Picking your nose and eating the results isn’t polite behavior, but odds are, it won’t make you sick

Hand holding glass of colorful beverage drinks and fruits in background
August 6, 2025/Nutrition
Are Mocktails Good for You?

Options for sober social drinking are abundant, but be mindful about additives and triggers

Silhouette with brain, with colorful music notes, positively affecting the brain
August 1, 2025/Mental Health
Your Brain on Music: How Tunes Can Impact Your Mind

A single song can go a long way in helping you focus, recall memories and develop new neural connections in your brain

Trending Topics

Person in bed sleeping on their side, covers off
Breathing Problems? Try These Sleep Positions

If you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may help

A couple looking at skyline, with one person slightly behind the other, head bent down
What Is Anxious Attachment Style — and Do You Have It?

If you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment style

Glasses and bottle of yellow-colored prebiotic soda, with mint, lemon and ginger garnish
Are Prebiotic Sodas Good for You?

If you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foods

Ad