April 21, 2021

Why Do Songs Get Stuck in My Head?

The short answer from a clinical psychologist

man with earbuds listens to music on his phone

Q: Why do I get songs stuck in my head? Does this happen to everyone?

A: You’re not alone. According to experts, 98% of us get stuck on a song, known as 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

Certain people are more prone to earworms. Those with obsessive-compulsive disorder or who have obsessive thinking styles experience this phenomenon more often. Musicians also frequently get earworms. Men and women have earworms equally, although women tend to stay with the song longer and find it more irritating.

Recent research suggests that songs with intervals that jump up and down are more likely to get stuck in your head. For example, the whistling part of Maroon 5’s Moves like Jagger.

More study is needed to determine exactly what’s happening in your brain when earworms take hold, but repetition often is related to stress. Anything repeated probably has some tension-reducing characteristic, capturing your attention so you’re not attending to other things you find unpleasant.

Advertisement

If you can’t get unstuck? Do a brain teaser puzzle or read a novel. Chewing gum or listening to the entire song (not just the catchy part) may also break the loop.

— Clinical psychologist Scott Bea, PsyD

Learn more about our editorial process.

Related Articles

person sitting in a growing flower, as they're watering the pot from above
February 9, 2024
Self-Love: Why It’s Important and What You Can Do To Love Yourself

Like being your own best friend in times of trouble, self-love is an act of self-preservation

Silhouette of person turned away from group of people talking
January 23, 2024
How the Grey Rock Method Can Protect You From Abusive People and Toxic Interactions

Like a boring ol’ grey rock, the goal is to be unresponsive and uninteresting to dissuade a harmful situation

person doing yoga warrior pose
December 28, 2023
How To Break Bad Habits

It may feel impossible, but planning, motivation and goal-setting can make leaving old habits behind doable

a couple facing opposite directions
May 2, 2023
Signs of Relationship OCD and How To Cope

Some doubt is natural in a relationship — too much may be a mental health concern

Person deciding on the outlook they will have for the day: happy, neutral or sad.
November 1, 2022
The Truth Behind a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

When your predictions bring about their own reality because of specific actions you take

Man arranges office supplies for perfect look.
October 4, 2022
What’s the Difference Between Perfectionism and OCD?

One may drive the other, but they’re not the same

Person talking while looking at their reflection in a mirror
February 3, 2022
Talking to Yourself: Is It Normal?

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

A person sits alone while being pointed at.
February 1, 2022
What Are Microaggressions?

Their impact is anything but small

Trending Topics

Person in yellow tshirt and blue jeans relaxing on green couch in living room reading texts on their phone.
Here’s How Many Calories You Naturally Burn in a Day

Your metabolism may torch 1,300 to 2,000 calories daily with no activity

person getting a sinus massage between brows
5 Sinus Massage Techniques To Relieve Pressure and Promote Drainage

A gentle touch in all the right places may help drain your sinuses

woman snacking on raisins and nuts
52 Foods High In Iron

Pump up your iron intake with foods like tuna, tofu and turkey

Ad