
Have you been humming a catchy song to yourself and you can’t get it out of your head? Does the same song loop endlessly in your head for days or weeks at a time? New research suggests “stuck song syndrome” may be an early sign of dementia. In other words, the longer a song remains stuck in your memory, the higher your risk for dementia later on.
The phenomenon is scientifically referred to as an “earworm”, brainworm, or involuntary musical imagery. Earworms should not be confused with auditory hallucinations.
Earworms are normal and occur in healthy people who have no history of mental illness.
According to researcher James Kellaris, 98% of people experience “stuck song syndrome,” when a snippet of a song plays nonstop in the brain.
Researchers who have studied earworms concluded that earworms are evoked by strong emotional experiences that trigger the memory of a song (involuntary memory).
The song that is stuck in your head may be the last song you heard. It could be a catchy commercial jingle or a favorite tune from your childhood that brings back memories.
Kellaris says earworms occur in men and women, but earworms tend to last longer in women and annoy them more.
Songs with lyrics account for 73.7% of earworms.
Data published in the British Journal of Psychology in 2010 claims that earworms last 10 to 30 seconds in length and are more common in people with an interest in music.
New research suggests the longer a song remains stuck in our heads, the higher the risk of mental illness or dementia later on in life.
In one famous case, Jean Harris, who killed her lover of 14 years, Scarsdale Diet Dr. Herman Tarnower, compulsively and obsessively replayed the same song in her head for 33 years!
She reportedly “weaponized” the lyrics to “Put the Blame On Mame,” performed by Rita Hayworth in the 1946 film Gilda. Harris could hear the song in her head while holding a conversation simultaneously, and the song played continuously in her head throughout her wedding to James Harris.
When Should I Call My Doctor?
If you hear the same song stuck in your head for weeks, months or years, it may be time to book an appointment with your mental health provider. Other associated signs and symptoms that require medical attention are:
Talk to a friend about your obsessive song recall. According to Psyartjournal.com, “internal obsessive song recall … may be signaling the need for timely psychological intervention which the evoker may be unable to ask for.”
This has been your Medical Minute.
More Info On the Web
Earworms: Why That Song Gets Stuck In Your Head | NPR
Getting Rid of Earworms | HowStuffWorks
Earworms | The Berkeley Science Review
DISCLAIMER
Any medical information published on this blog is for your general information only and is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. You should not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider. Sandrarose.com and its affiliates cannot be held liable for any damages incurred by following information found on this blog.
Lawd, Hot Girl Summer will be the death of me!
Thank you so much for posting! This has been happening to me with bohemian rhapsody for about 2-3 weeks. It’s annoying and always at the same part over and over again. Looks like I’ll be hitting up my doctors.?
I just knew Old Town Road was going to be a problem. D*&$ song wont get out my head since it hit the radio. https://media0.giphy.com/media/SIpAtUATTM438fkdIe/giphy.gif
I’m sorry this is happening to you. It can be worrisome. Have you tried listening to the song from start to finish? Then do a crossword puzzle immediately after?
Oh Ohhh!… If this is true, I am screwed!!… I ALWAYS have a song stuck in my head for weeks, even months every since I can remember!
https://media0.giphy.com/media/vSSdLSLbGIXio/giphy.gif
OMG! I’m gonna die with dementia! Some friends and I were on a no working a$$ed email group where we would discuss television shows, argue about sports, cuss out our cheerunz, talk about how much we hate our jobs all day every day… one time, a friend mentioned a singer named Sylvester and was appalled that I had never heard of him.
She sent a youtube video of the song, “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)” and I-had-TICKLED! I couldn’t get over that shameful a$$ed run he did as he descended them stairs like Rebbie Jackson on the Centipede video and said, “Yooooo ma-ayke me feel… Miiii hiiii tee re-he-e-eel!” I-was-DEAD!
That was in 2005 and that MF song was still in my head as of 2016. I JUST got rid of that hymn. I would wake up to PEE at 2:53am and standing there, eyes half closed, “Miiii hiii tee re-he-e-eel!”… driving down the street thinking about nothing and, “Miiii hiii tee re-he-e-eel!”… in the middle of prayer, “Lord, lift the veil from my eyes that I may see (Miii-hiiii-tee re-he-e-eel!”) having a “self love session”… *grunt* “… tee-re-he-e-eel!”
I’m so pleased to have been delivered and I don’t hear that so – miii-hiiii tee… *walks off PISSED off!
Thanks, Sandra Mae. THANKS. *side eye*
Speaking of Old Town Road. His rain at number # 1 ended this week. Billie Eilish Scores First No. 1 Single, Ending “Old Town Road”’s 19-WEEK -RUN. It’ll be a LONG TIME before anyone breaks that record again.
Karma Chameleon …has been in my head off and on for years..Now I have to go listen to it.
Those dayum YELLING a$$ City Girls song Act UP https://media2.giphy.com/media/2UBzpyM7naBtCzq4Cz/giphy-downsized-medium.gif
Don’t damn do it! SMH… it adds a few more months of stuckation! That’s why I didn’t post the video with the song that was stuck in my head. I knew I’d be humming it until I have grandbabies.
Wow, I’m so screwed with this diagnosis.. https://media3.giphy.com/media/F0linP81MaHGo/giphy.gif
?????? Well At some point every being will have some form of dementia..it’s called aging!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6dnT1J8GSU8
Adorable ?
A crossword puzzle??
Me too!! Between that “Old Town Road” and Kanye’s “Brothers Forever” I’ve already lost a good portion of my mind!!
is that code word for self pleasure?
???
??
Chile… The devil tries to infiltrate in various ways and so let that Miserable person have its way and dont feed the Troll!
I have both the song and visual for O.T. Genasis ‘Thick’ in my mind constantly. At least if I develop dementia it will be a happy dementia.
Won’t claim this bs
“Suicidal thoughts (this is an emergency)”
———————————————————-
I would hope this is an emergency. https://media3.giphy.com/media/11tqljvNZyY3PW/giphy.gif
lmao
Are you sitting on the ferry thinking “I wish this bih would” while giving him the death stare?? ?
I’ve had early signs of dementia since 1990, when I was 9 and Do Me! came out https://media3.giphy.com/media/l0HlUsr30YgIHASl2/giphy.gif
This kind of thick?? ?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/059036c42b52b1cec10976e290e504c1758272bb80ba7526c8c176b18bbcd63f.gif
Yeah it refocuses the brain.
We should all be doing puzzles, fill it ins etc etc
My happy dementia is now a nightmare.
Interesting! I always do them but I didnt get the correlation
???
Keep doing them. It’s supposed to help with cognitive function as we get older. My dad will be 80. Does a puzzle book a week . He don’t miss NOTHING !!!
welcome back
you’re still funny as hell
Well, the song that’s stuck for 2 years now is Mario, “You should let me love you” It’s not because of anyone, I just love that song.
I’m so glad that my stuck song isn’t Big Sean I don’t Fvck with you because if I really end up with dementia people will say F me. ?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jp-7JP6xi8A
Car aint got no ROOF
“Im gonna take my horse to the Old Town Road…..”
Yall know the rest…Le Sigh..
https://media0.giphy.com/media/Yoo0lwH9U0M9ru5eUr/giphy.gif
You’re going to be playing “Here comes Honey Boo Boo” on loop now playa!!!
Chile Q Tip’s Vivrant Thing has been in rotation in my head for over 10 years. Its my theme song now lbvs
Off topic: So Epstein updated his will 2 days prior to commenting suicide allegedly. Net worth $575 million ($57 mill in cash) left to his brother. I keep telling folks that net worth is not liquid cash. The rest is in other assets i.e properties etc
Per Sandra I now need to listen to the whole song and then do a crossword puzzle….
damn…i might as well spend my days smoking weed then…because “Once upon a Time i was HOE” been playing in the background of my life since the day i heard it
LOL!!!
Or maybe it’s because my husband is up all night editing music videos while I’m sleeping??
https://media3.giphy.com/media/1Zt3z4uEBPZQY/giphy.gif
Damn. Im crazy as a fox then. Bc baby I got songs stuck in my head since before I could read.
Long One Sorry ::: I have one living above me that talked ish about me to a neighbor downstairs/ which led to her old drunk azz knocking on my door at 1 am/ and me ripping out her hair, breaking her orbital socket and making her swallow 3 teeth…I didn’t find out about his messy azz until I took her azz to court…she said he was talking mess about me and that prompted her to protect “him”…Chile boo she was there for 7 months and he’s been here for 5 years and neva said a word to me but a fake azz smile…Anyway when we got out of court I made a note that when I saw his punk azz I would tear him a new one…Fast forward this summer he’s leaving my building and I stopped him and told him “I heard you was talking shit about me”..My lawyer said that since you plied this woman with alcohol and conspired against me I can bring you up in the civil suit pending and sue you as well for conspiracy…He tried to apologize…I also said I dont care if you take dyck like a woman the next time I hear my name was in your mouth imma have a nigga step to you…I dont argue with men who take dyck…his lil face was white as shit…now everytime I see him he look away he’s scared as hell…My boo and my brothers are waiting for this lil queen to breathe hard and look at them twice…Chile…they are messy and always starting shit when its unnecessary…
I hope its at the start of the song sis. Bohemian Rhapsody is at LEAST 7 minutes long. Its one of my faves.
Conjunction Junction….
Right lol my granny played the hell outta “The Thrill is Gone” lawd knows I still know every word *grabs headphones*
I wouldn’t agree that just because a song is stuck in someone’s head that they may be experiencing signs of early dementia. My son and I sing a lot but that’s because we’re inherently happy people. There’s an old song lyric that says “I sing because I happy”. Yes, that’s slightly different from having a song stuck in your head but I would imagine if someone has a song stuck in their head that they’re probably singing it out loud. IJS.
Q Tip’s
^^^^^^
Can I Kick It by ATCQ is one that has been stuck in my head since middle school.
So 98% of people experience this yet 98% of the population doesn’t have dementia.
Sorry. I don’t believe this report. While some mentally incapacitated ppl may have a song they obsess over, i don’t believe that this is a precursor to something more serious.
Especially for black folk. It means more to us than maybe we understand. Music, the creation of it, the arranging of it, the composition of it, the perfecting of it and the love of it – is in our DNA.
No, seriously. It’s IN our DNA.
So yeah, songs are always in our heads.
RIP to BB King. Not the onliest version of that song, but its the version I know best.
Or, the 98% with dementia are normal, and the 2% are the really f’d up ones.
Bel Biv Devoe?
You may be on to something.
Right now, I’ve fallen in love with Speak Life by Damian Marley.
what’s your function
Hooking up words and phrases and clauses.
You forgot death!
Girl don’t forget that as zesty as that man is its still a man with man strength.
?
I got three favorite carsssss. That get most of my job done. https://media1.giphy.com/media/2lxG3ySjtbpBe/giphy.gif
Check the Rhyme revisits me often..
OK!!
We woke. We went from a medical minute to a educational moment. The More You Know with the rainbow….
98% of people have songs playing in their heads. 2% don’t hear songs playing in their heads. Most of the 98% can make the songs stop at will. But a small percentage of that 98% can’t get rid of the songs that play endlessly 24/7 for weeks or months. That percentage will likely end up with dementia.
There are people who have songs stuck in their heads that they are not singing out loud because the songs are annoying. They can’t make them stop.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d9c38a0bf1d6d373d308be3e459884ec30d8da128649dd5c90f30f0de682efbe.gif
That one too
Schoolhouse Rock is a lost art. It truly is
Hey Busta! His break out moment in Scenario woke me up outta my SLEEP in 1992. Forever etched in my head too lol.
Yes. It can be any type of puzzle as long as it keeps the brain occupied for 5-10 minutes.
Related but unrelated, the movie was great. I’ve watched it about 5 times.
It doesn’t have to be a crossword puzzle. It can be any type of puzzle or distraction to keep your mind occupied so the song will stop playing. If the song does not stop playing after all of that, please see a doctor ASAP.
I reckon. If a song comes into my head I sing it even if it’s just for a few seconds and then I forget it.
….and singing songs stuck in your head LOL.
For sure.
Sorry. I don’t believe this report.
______________
Me either chile lol music is energy and stimulates both sides of the brain which is why certain frequencies can alter your mood. Most of us know what it is already but I’ll keep it cute since this shyt is for entertainment purposes lol You’re absolutely correct
Well I guess I am in the beginning stage because….Normani…Motivation been playing in my head since Friday. Also I keep visioning me doing that split at the end with those 6″ on in the rain!!!
https://media0.giphy.com/media/5hZ6ImHy8ExnG/giphy.gif
LOL your comments always make me laugh.
*pulls up my 80s-90s playlist* https://media2.giphy.com/media/YUuzJrbTQd8IT3aHIM/giphy.gif
Umm now Sandrita I love you to death woman, but I rebuke this whole post in the name of Jesus Christ my Everlasting Lord & Savior. Praise to be to His holy name.
You got me bENt. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/90908f964805ce46b1d9c9ed9f8bc0f95967c5ab34bfee3b88df388906b13837.jpg
Been listening to Chris Brown’s Indigo and every time I hear Wobble ft. Nicki Minaj and G Easy, boy it’s a struggle to sing anything else. I catch myself singing ” show me that shit, show me love, show, me show me love, show me that shit, show me love, show me show me love, wobble on the dick, wobble up, wobble wobble up, wobble on the dick, wobble up, wobble wobble up”. Definitely not becoming of me.
WHAT?!
That song makes me twirl involuntarily and I’m not ashamed ?
Each day it seems like their telling us something else new gives us dementia. I guess all of us is gonna get cause all of these articles like these basically say we can’t escape it. Breath air? Dementia. Use soap? Dementia. Eat lettuce? Dementia. Sleep too much ? Dementia. And so on…
??
Lol. I truly did wake up. Back then non mainstream rap as LONS was deemed, was only played overnight here in Raleigh. And it premiered new music every night at 1 am EST. I was half sleep and half awake when Scenario FIRST hit my ear. And this is real old school….but the LAST thing I did EVERY night was put in a fresh tape and hit “record” before I went to sleep. So Scenario came on and when I FULLY woke the hell up, first thing I did was race to my stereo to see if I caught it. I HAD. I was like I gotta memorize this shit first thing in the morning!
“Yes you can”…let me find my shyt chile lol
right!!!!!
reading this article game me Dementia… i said ….Huh? LOL
I had to validate that she was of age before I watched that video to close.
They shole said JUST yesterday that folks who take a lot of naps are more prone to Alzheimer’s. I take naps bc I am a chronic insomniac and cant go to sleep at night. I mean I guess.
You’re welcome, Carrington. Miiii hiii tee re-he-e-eel! ??
Omg Auntie, I may as well be dead. Reading your medical minutes are as bad as Dr Google. I have all this chit! As I am sitting here humming Old Town Road in my head.
Its just a level of fakeness I dont ever aspire too…I aint gonna lie tho hell my cousin was one of the messiest men I’ve ever had the delight of being around… He was the first to put me on to scamming w/ eastbay and always had tickets to something but his messiness cost him his life a few years back…. Not all are bad but there are some that just rock my nerves to the core when it comes to starting stuff and not being able to finish it properly…
Thanks. I’m good. I may have 99 illnesses but earworms doesn’t appear to be one of them.
That’s me! I play the classics and my kids roll their eyes… but then i find em on THEIR playlist.
I’ve done my job..?
That’s cause you be up all night commenting on blogs smh
Yes !! Don’t Judge me !! It still gets stuck in my head!
There is really no definitive test for dementia as neurologist ask about 3 or 4 general questions and make the determination whether you have dementia or not. Also, they run a CAT scan on you as well to make an assessment.
This post seems so random yet informative, because I’ve never before heard of earworms. I wonder if the stuck song is the same as thinking about a particular person nonstop. Asking for a friend.
Another fear mongering post…
It was too early in the morning for all that. I hope the rest of your day is good.
I may have dementia at a young age. Old Town Road plays in my head all day, every day!
Ive had Fantasia song Enough stuck in my head for a while.. I love the song but a part of it pops up every now and again when I think about someone..
Im an admitted earworm placer LOL.. any road trip I go on I hum a familiar song and watch it spread around the car! I went on a girls trip with 6 women in the SUV.. I sang as we entered Tennessee “We’ll be coming round tha mountain when she cooomes!” and before we got out the car everyone in there either hummed or sang those words! ROFL!
Whats it mean when a song makes you wanna jump off a bridge or sum? I promise the song Reasons by Earth Wind & Fire makes me CRAZY! Idk why?? It came out when I was only like 3-4yrs old? I have no bad memories associated with it. However its like nails on a chalkboard whenever I hear it.
Daaaaamn
Everything means you’re going to have dementia or Alzheimers…lol! If you fart too much, it means you’re going to have one of these later on in life.
I don’t like that song by Earth, Wind and Fire myself…I like a lot of there other songs…that one is a struggle…
It’s that whiny, high-pitched Reaaaaasssooooonnnnnnssssssss that he hits you with. Can’t stand it and I love classic R&B like it’s nobody’s business.
Exactly… I do not have that one downloaded. Ugh.
Of all songs
Right cuz she almost had me but I rebuke and refuse! Lol.
If so I’m in trouble and his azz ain’t even worth it.
I thought it was just me! lol
I thought it was just me who hates that song. lol
They need to find something better to do with their time. I hum a song cause i like it or its been played 5011 times.
Woooow, I’ve been singing “Fantastic Voyage and It’s a Love Thing” daily for the past 3 wks, at least. And I have 4 out of the 7 symptoms listed. I must be on the road to being BSC. ???? Keep me in prayer Rosebud family.
I will try that! Thank you!
Its the frequency of the music that causes the real problems. Not a song being stuck in your head.
what’s your function? Hooking up words and phrases and clauses. Lmao! They played this and I’m just A Bill at a meeting at my job. I then told myself I really did work in a school (I don’t but that’s how they act) and everyday I wake and say Ma, I don’t wanna go to school my stomach hurts. Lmao! My friend looks at me like I’m stupid.
Now WHY did you type that out like that…I literally cringed…? ?
You are so right. These kids now don’t have nearly the fun and educational things kids of the 70’s and early 80’s did.
Lord No…Awful! ?
Thank you, get out of my head, this is why I’m have not listen to the radio or watch t.v in years….
Songs in my head keep me from cursing folks out. Every payday when it’s time to check my bank account I sing Bitch Betta Have My Money. When I am dealing with clowns at work I sing Chain of Fools. I really only use the hooks they get the job done.
You and the rest of us.
Off topic but I love your Avi and name. That chit is cracking me up.
Why thank you! Lol..her make up and jewelry is poppin…??…so you know chicks are mad. Lol
Been one since before the internet was around lol. Since Spring 1993
Oh no, I been experiencing this since I was a very young kid. Lol!!
Any popular song that was dope, I would keep it in my head until I got SICK of it! Just getting over BIG OLE FREAK. lol!
Atomic Dog
Spend My Life with You
The Light
Billie Jean
I also hear that Shady Acres Rest Home is looking for me…
Thank U! I’ve been set free!!
U 2??! I’ve gone all these years thinking I was the only one…
Gosh…I thought I was the only one who didn’t buy that song.
Girl, I thought it was just me!!!!!! I been spontaneously been breaking out in big ole freak, big booty treat, imma make wait for the cookie, hit ‘me with a big old skeet!!!. in my head every since that song came out, and it’s just that part. I was in a meeting the other day and I caught myself bobbing my head . LOL.
That shit didn’t make any sense. Like physically why does an “earworm” cause brain disorders, dementia , etc…? And the person referenced just sounded plain, bat-shit crazy…
What if the song is stuck for just one day, lol…..does that apply?
LOL!!!!! Girl please.. you are not alone!
Sandy, where my medical minute about liver cleanses and parasites? Don’t eeen worry about it no more. Ya girl gonna take one for the team and do my own investigation. My diatomaceous earth should be here in a few days. Imma just not look in the toilet, but if the reviews on Amazon are correct, imma look and feel like a brand new woman. Therefore; I have another homework assignment, that kinda falls in line with this, but why you didn’t tell us about this whole ASMR eating shat? Folks out here making guap, like millions, by freaking eating pickles and crunching real loud and shat!!!!! People subscribing to hear folks slurp noodles????? Man! Damn my mama and daddy pushing me towards a higher education and a degree. THEY FAILED ME!!!!!! LOL. Seriously though……
Oh wow. Interesting. That’s crazy. I love EW&F but side eye all that durn symbolism on their album covers… creeps me out so iont listen to them at all.
Sorry Bew! Now I just cringed too… playing it out in my head. I can’t stand it.
I don’t know how I can LOVE EW&F and HATE that one song!!!!!!!!!
Diatomaceous Earth is great for a plethora of things! Just FYI: it’s easier to put into a smoothie or something that will mask the gritty texture, as it does not dissolve in liquid.
I work in a Dept store that loops the same songs (mostly 70’s – 90’s era) and them songs play in my head even when I am not there. I can’t sleep at night cuz I’m singing ..and most of the songs I don’t even like..?
Thanks!!!! Because I SURE was gonna just put it in some water. LOL.
Thanks!!!! Because I SURE was gonna just put it in some water. LOL.
Music cast spells upon the listener.
?????????
Well you don’t say ? I better stop her songs from ringing in my head….??? Unfollowing now…
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B0vi3hqFCk6/?igshid=k0jeiw11egp9
LOL ????
Where are you located? I plan to meet you so that I may chop you in the throat for that link. I am laughing my ass off, but “I’m not gone worryeeeeee….”
You can eat it?? I thought it was for k1lling bed bugs.
??? my friend sent my that early one morning and I kept singing it in my head! I’m mad cause she’s getting paid singing birthday jingle requests daily ? all while sitting in her bed frying chicken and ignoring Dr. Now. ?
This is not the same thing. These people can’t forget it. The song plays continuously.
I just passed on the love to one of my friends and a family member. I won’t be answering my phone, checking my texts or answering my front door.
Is she from New Orleans? Oh my……
LMBO!!!
Asking for a friend, huh??? Too funny!!! Lol
Yes!!!! She’s from Nawlins’
Lol. You’ll be fine.
Wow sandy! What an interesting article. My grandmother suffers from dementia. And my mother now show signs of forgetfulness. Needless to say I am very worried myself. But I know theres is nothing I can do there. I find this research fascinating.
???…it’s for that too…but yeah you eat it…ctfu
?…saved you…as you can see I made that mistake. I’m not saying if you’re in a rush and want to take some real quick you can’t…you just gon be swirlin that cup and eatin that grit to get it down lol
No, chile. I am not hard-headed. I will take your advice.
Gotta get food grade.
I’m sorry to hear that. Yes it does run in families, particularly among women.
Sorry hun, I missed your request. There is no such thing as “liver cleanses.” Be careful what you put in your body. Someone is making money off of dangerous misinformation.
I don’t think so. This applies to people who suffer from earworm syndrome for weeks, months or years.
See? That’s why I need you, auntie, to keep me on the straight and narrow.
Man, big sean, I don’t fugg wit you is the best work earworm song, ever!!!!
No problem. Have a good night.
This is one of the most important “HEALTH CRISIS” we face!
First it was Alzheimer’s
Then it was Autism
Now it’s Dementia
All brain function related with impairment that can require long-term care, medication (Big Pharma) to treat chronic symptoms, and indefinite assisted or facility living!
Managed Healthcare – Senior Care Providers – Business is booming!
My mom has been taking Gingko Biloba and Omega 3’s for a long time, back in her 40s, then she added coconut oil, always got some exercise, took multivitamins, and ate a healthy diet (from the south). It could be good genes, but she has/had other serious health issues, we don’t claim!
I believe this contributes to her health in her 70s. While many of her friends are experiencing dementia and mobility issues!
Bottom line, START NOW!
I take…(just my health routine while I still battle weight-loss, overeating)
Wheat Grass Supplements
Soy Milk (there are pros and cons)
Make Green Smoothies with Kale, fruit, oats, chia seeds, soy milk
Natural skincare products (for your largest organ) Homemade or bought!
Essential Oils – Aromatherapy – Foot Soaks/Detox (*Important)
Ninja Foodie to minimize fat in fried foods (love fried chicken wings!)
Play Words with Friends
Duo-lingo Language Learning tool (free)
*To stimulate brain, studies show that crossword puzzles, learning to play an instrument or foreign language helps to stave off dementia!
Whatever works for you, just research, and plan ahead for your senior years, not just your retirement fund!
You play to dam much !! Sign out please ?????????