Why Do We Get 'Earworms'?

An earworm is when a song repeats in your head without you trying. It feels like the song got stuck inside your brain. Imagine a tiny recorder playing over and over again.

Sometimes our brains are bored. When we do quiet tasks, like washing dishes or waiting for a bus, the brain looks for fun things to play with. Songs have simple patterns, so they are easy to grab. Also, songs often come with rhythm. Your body likes rhythm, and that helps keep the song looping.

Chewing gum can help! This is because chewing uses the same muscles in your mouth as singing. If you chew while the song is playing in your head, it confuses the brain slightly. Another trick is listening to the full ending of the song. Once your brain thinks the song is finished, it stops looping.