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Who's Got Earworms?

by raydp
2 replies
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According to Wikipedia:

"...a portion of a song or other music that repeats compulsively within one's mind"

I sometimes wake up with a tune in my head that I just can't shake off for the day! Usually with no obvious reason.

Sometimes the source is obvious such as when the old "Box Tops" song "Neon Rainbow" was used in some UK TV ads. For months and months it would only go away when it was replaced with something else. But often it's a tune or riff that comes from deep in the memory.

Sometimes though it can be something really "naff" like an anonymous advert jingle. Worse still, a tune I really hate!

It's interesting that there's a scientific study being carried out in the UK. to find the causes of random Earworms as advertisers are apparently very interested in the subject which is worrying! It seems they're trying to find out what type of tune or riff sticks in the mind.



What are your Earworms?

Ray
  • Profile picture of the author DireStraits
    I still "suffer from" this on occasion. It's quite irritating, to say the least, isn't it? I drive myself mad sometimes.

    I had to laugh the other day. I was watching some home video footage of me and my brother as young children opening our presents on Christmas day, and every couple of minutes I'd express my elation at the opening of a new shiney toy by singing the words to the song "If I Had a Hammer", which was running in a TV advert at the time:


    That was the longest-running bout of "Earworms" I remember having!
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  • Profile picture of the author Patrician
    I know what ear worms are and will often get a stupid 'jingle' in my head for days. Can't remember one off hand and prefer not to get one started! LOL.

    I do know that (related/unrelated) I get tired of hearing the same theme songs for different shows and that alone will make me not watch the show once I reach saturation.

    (conversely theme songs like for 'X-Files' and 'Twin Peaks' the music drew me to them and I loved hearing them and still do even though the shows are long gone).

    Many years ago I had a boyfriend that always came over and vegged out in front of the TV - (which infuriated me) - his favorite show was 'Mash' and to this day when I am channel surfing and come across the theme song, I have weird feelings of aversion. I just can't change the channel fast enough...

    Music is a powerful medium in many regards as are words - so I believe 'say what you mean and mean what you say'.
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    Patricia Brucoli
    Plug-In Profit Site Helpdesk

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