Why do songs get stuck in your head?

The Straight Dope ^ | October 16, 2009 | Cecil Adams

[gattaca]

No, it’s not the theme song, it’s just some bumper music he uses occasionally.

[earlJam]

George: You know they way I work, I’m like a commercial jingle. First it’s a little irritating, then you hear it a few times, you hum it in the shower, by the third date it’s “By Mennen!”

**********

“Co-STAN-za.”

[AFPhys]

At least you don’t have Alzheimers’ ‘cause the info is just showing up late ... ROTLFMPO !!

It is very seldom that I do NOT have some song or other running around in my head- they almost always take turns, and can be classical, popular songs, commercial ditties, or just something I made up myself. I enjoy this, generally. If for some reason one persists a bit too long, it is easy to get rid of- simply start singing or humming or even thinking of another tune.

“Hummingbird don’t fly away, fly away ... don’t fly-y away... don’t fly a-a-way...don’t fly away... don’t fly a-a-way...don’t fly away... don’t fly a-a-way... “ will always get me on a different track if I am somewhere I can’t sing out loud!

[FourPeas]

Ugh, earworms. Ten years ago, I was in the hospital on morphine and couldn't get the VeggieTales Cheeseburger song out of my mind. I was trapped in the stupid music video of it and couldn't get out. It just kept playing over and over and over and over. I was literally in a panic by the time it was all over. Nasty. I still can't listen to it without wanting to flee.

[FourPeas]

I read somewhere that one song people report as being particulary hard to get rid of is Candyman.

[Billthedrill]

It’s a small world, after all...

[Slings and Arrows]

I’m ‘Enry the Eighth, I am...

[goat granny]

Circa: 1950’s Its Cherry pink and Appleblossom White...

[goat granny]

LOL that was one of my favorite songs......In the year 2525 if man is still alive if women can survive.

Thats all I remember.....:O)

[goat granny]

Fats was much better....also*** I found my thrill on Blueberry hill........

[a fool in paradise]

Did you ever hear the one about how it’s a small world after all it’s a small world after all it’s a small world after all it’s a small small world? But it doesn’t end there, NOOOOOOO....

[a fool in paradise]

In the year 2525 if man is still alive, Obamacare will finally come online at only a cost of $425,958,435,343,534,454,434,232,543,674,453,422.73

[a fool in paradise]

What really bothers me is when I get a commercial jingle stuck in my head...especially if the commercial is for something I don’t like.

YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!

HOPEY CHANGEY CORP.

[Fiji Hill]

Cherry Pink and Appleblossom White

A big hit for Perez Prado, the Mambo King, from 1955.

[Fiji Hill]

I read somewhere that one song people report as being particulary hard to get rid of is Candyman.

"Candy Man"? So someone besides me remembers that Roy Orbison tune from the summer of 1961!

[goat granny]

Your giving away your age. :O)

[goat granny]

I just want to know why, in my head, I sing on tune and its great, what comes out of my mouth is so bad even my brain gets disgusted. Can’t carry a tune if my life depended on it....even the dogs walk out of the room, and my grandkids laugh out loud.