I read an article this morning that confirmed (with research!) everything I’ve ever instinctually (<— not a word?) thought about music:
- “If a song was playing during any big first — a kiss, a college party — that song will later cause certain brain regions, including the medial prefrontal cortex, which is integral for retrieval of long-term memories, to light up, essentially transporting you back to that moment.” The title of the article was actually “We May Never Stop Loving That Mariah Carey Christmas Song, According to Science.” Hee hee. Certain songs (especially some holiday songs) may make our brains “high on nostalgia.”
- We may also like music based on experiences we can’t even remember. People tend to like music that was popular when they came to age, but also, during their parent’s prime – so, maybe things you were listening to, but too young to remember. I have very specific memories of Van Halen’s “Jump,” and other rock music that has heavily influenced me. Um… why else would I be going to see Foreigner in March?!
- We associate with certain songs depending on how happy or energized they make us feel. It’s not so much the musical content we are associating with, but the reaction it starts in our brains.
- And once you are connected to a song, hearing it only intensifies your love for it, by “increasing connectivity between sound-processing regions and the hippocampus, which is involved in memory and social emotion.”
- And lastly, we got more pleasure from songs we know (especially all of the words to); songs with which we are familiar. (I have definitely noticed that, and talked about it before!) Hearing familiar songs actually sparks activity in certain areas of the brain, whether you like the song or not!
Have you noticed any of these before?
I actually drafted this little music survey two months ago and haven’t posted it yet! Fill out your answers in the comments (or on your blog), if you’d like!
- What song are you listening to on repeat now?
- What song do you always listen to all the way through?
- What is the last full album you downloaded?
- What is the last soundtrack you downloaded?
- Are you able to listen to music and read?
- What is the last concert you attended?
When I wrote this, I was listening to Sam Smith’s “I’m Not the Only One” on repeat, and singing along (see point above about knowing all the words). Now it’s Mark Ronson ft Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk.”
I skip music a lot but always listen all the way through to P!nk ft Nate Ruess “Just Give Me a Reason,” Britney Spears “Criminal,” AC/DC “Thunderstruck,” and CeeLo Green “Bright Lights Bigger City.”
Last full album downloaded was Milky Chance Sadnecessary.
Last soundtrack downloaded was either for Black Swan or Tron.
I absolutely cannot listen to music and read. Or do much else. Just workout. And drive.
Last concert attended (not counting classical music) was Van Halen in 2004. Ahhhhhhhhhhh!
1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_V_xEw4WNHk
2. Any song I like – not any one specific song for me
3. I have never downloaded an album (eek) but just purchased the new Foo Fighters (Sonic Highways)
4. I am not much of a soundtrack person
5. NO!!!
6. Hmmm…was probably a Ravina show. One Republic maybe?
Jenna just told me it was Train 🙂
Thanks for sharing that song! I like that beat! Is that an artist you’ve listened to before?
No! They just started playing it on q101 and I am addicted 🙂
1. I rarely listen to the same song over and over again. I’m patient enough to wait the half hour for it to repeat on the radio (even quicker with satellite radio)!
2. Anything by One Direction. Sorry/not sorry.
3. Monticello (Sam Hunt)
4. Mamma Mia!
5. Of course! It’s just background noise to me. I listen to the radio at work all day, every day.
6. I have no idea. Maybe the Kenny Chesney/Tim McGraw one at Soldier Field a couple of years ago? I’m not really a big concert person (too many crowds).
Ha ha ha! Yeah, the songs I am listening to over and over are not the ones the radio is playing to death (usually). Steven and I talk about every now and then – how odd it is they play the same stuff over and over out here. We actually feel like we hear more new “to us” music when we’re in IA or KC!
You are a Mamma Mia fan?! I never would have guessed it! Is it the story, or ABBA?
I am going to two concerts next year and I picked the non-Chicago locations in hopes that it helps a bit with the crowds… :-/
That’s really interesting to learn! I’ve been digging Milky Chance lately, so I’ll definitely have to check out that album 🙂
1. Roses in a Teapot by Ally Rhodes has been on repeat lately!
2. I always listen to Yellow by Coldplay all the way through. I just can’t turn it off.
3. Last album I downloaded was Come on Over by Shania Twain (even though it’s a bit old ;))
4. I don’t really listen to soundtracks! I listen to the Harry Potter soundtracks on Spotify while studying, but the only one I actually listen to otherwise is the Armageddon one.
5. I can only listen to music and read if I don’t know the lyrics well, otherwise I’m distracted haha.
6. The last concert I went to was Alice Cooper/Motley Crue as a last minute thing with a friend, but the last one I went out of my way to go see was Ally Rhodes 🙂
Oh yes! Check it out! I love their whole album!
Are you a Coldplay fan? 🙂 Ooo, and is that Shania from quite a few years ago? I really dug her then 🙂 (not that I don’t know, just in her heydey, I was a fan, I mean)
Was that concert AMAZING?
Off to google Ally Rhodes – not familar!
Fun questionnaire!
1. This doesn’t happen to me very often but the last time it was George Ezra’s “Budapest”.
2. I usually listen to all songs all the way through, except ones I don’t like.
3.Last full album downloaded? Huh, I don’t think I’ve ever downloaded a full album…
4. No, can’t listen to music and read unless it’s quiet classical or jazz.
5. Last pop concert was Violent Femmes in June. Report here: http://amysseen.blogspot.be/2014/06/violent-femmes.html
Ooo, I haven’t heard of George Ezra. He has a smooth, sexy voice! Me likely!
Is that a different blog that you posted about that concert on?! I don’t remember reading that! So cool you’ve seen them twice now 🙂
That was a GREAT article!
1. Too many! The top two would have to be: “Same Script, Different Cast” by Whitney Houston and Deborah Cox and “Hey Ladies” by Destiny’s Child. I am tempted to send the lyrics to a friend who I believe needs to be rid of her p.o.s. husband-to-be, but I shall refrain. Though, I did post a little snippet as a Facebook status in hopes that she’d look at it. 😉
2. All the songs off Mariah Carey’s #1’s and Whitney Houston’s The Greatest Hits album. True confessions: I sing along to them (as well as the other popular female ballads in that time period) while in the shower. I also mouth along to them while listening to them with headphones while at work. I do the hand motions and everything.
3. Sam Smith’s In the Lonely Hour (Deluxe) version off Spotify
4. The Complete Harry Potter Soundtrack
5. Yes, I can definitely listen to music and read! I listen to it while I write and work too.
6. I cannot remember and it’s been a while since I’ve attended one. I’m not a big fan of going to them – too many people and sometimes, I think the artists don’t perform as well when they’re live.
Oh no! I feel bad for your friend in that situation! Do you think you will talk to her about it?
Ha ha ha. It’s so fun to sing along to those songs!
Those songs are my guilty pleasure! 😉
We’ve talked about her situation many times, but she’s not willing to break up with him. There’s not much more I can say. All I can do is be supportive, listen to her and give my advice when she wants/needs it. :-/
Ahh, that friend. Gotcha 😉
1.) What song are you listening to on repeat now? – ‘If You Want Me’ from the movie “Once” (beautiful)
2.) What song do you always listen to all the way through? – hmm whichever song I’m obsessed with at the moment
3.) What is the last full album you downloaded? – Avicii’s ‘True’
4.) What is the last soundtrack you downloaded? – Hozier ‘Take Me to Church’
5.) Are you able to listen to music and read? – nope haha
6.) What is the last concert you attended? – Lollapalooza!
Awww! Have you gone to Once? Have we talked about this? I have been meaning to download that song. Thanks for the reminder.
No I really want to see it on Broadway but it’s ending in 2 weeks! I saw the movie on Friday and absolutely loved it, especially the music.
I hope you get a chance to go! That is the only one I have seen on Broadway there!
I had to give this some thought! I realized I hadn’t been listening to much music other than Internet streaming radio this year. These were fun questions.
1. Incantation – Cirque du Soleil (Quidam)
2. I didn’t really understand this. I guess I usually listen to songs all the way through but may skip a track I’m not wild about.
3. Last new CD was Fiona Apple’s The Idler Wheel Is Wiser than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More than Ropes Will Ever Do. Your question reminded me that I will have to listen to this some more!
4. Probably the score to Twilight by Carter Burwell – wonderful, moody, rhythmic music
5. No, although I do listen to music while I work if I don’t need to concentrate. It has to be mellow stuff that doesn’t distract me though.
6. I go to club shows and little jazz concerts from time to time, but the last real concert was probably Arctic Monkeys at House of Blues back in 2011. I don’t go to concerts much due to a combination of scheduling and price.
Number 2 – I listen to part of a song then skip ahead A TON. 😉 So, just wondering if other people do that 🙂
I haven’t paid attention to the Twilight scores! Just the bad acting – I should check it out! 🙂
1.What song are you listening to on repeat now?
Hmmmm, I’d have to say the Chef soundtrack.
2.What song do you always listen to all the way through?
Most songs! Unless I channel jump, LOL.
3.What is the last full album you downloaded?
Jason Mraz’s new one…not impressed, and wish I hadn’t downloaded the full album.
4.What is the last soundtrack you downloaded?
Chef soundtrack. AHMAZING, and could listen to the entire soundtrack repeatedly.
5.Are you able to listen to music and read? Yes…music is ALWAYS on at my house. Unless I am watching MasterChef, LOL.
6.What is the last concert you attended?
Hunter Hayes with my oldest daughter last year. I used to love going to concerts, but rarely go anymore.
I’ve always associated a song or band with places and events. I never forget and each time I hear that particular song, I think of that time and place.
I actually did a blog post about this some time ago.
http://www.banalleakage.com/2013/10/28/music-monday-songs-remind-me-of/
I will do a blog post with my answers to your above questions.