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Earworm Catch Your Brain?

Scientists, songwriters and ad executives attempt to explain why you can't get that song out of your head

GRAMMYs/Dec 3, 2014 - 05:06 am

Want to know who to blame for Baha Men's 2000 hit "Who Let The Dogs Out"? Look no further than Steve Greenberg, founder and CEO of S-Curve Records. The song's future was decided once he first heard it — and couldn't stop thinking about it.

"This aspiring artist came into my office with a version of the song, which was originally recorded by Anslem Douglas. It was so atrocious it never crossed my mind to put it out," says Greenberg. "I really hated the record, but I couldn't get the hook out of my mind. I knew the song was so hooky, I had to put it out."

Greenberg's description of the GRAMMY-winning song's hook is probably why you are almost certainly hearing that title lyric rattle around in your brain right now. It's a particularly pernicious earworm, something to which virtually every music fan is not immune. Just why it happens and what earworms actually mean might not seem like obvious topics for serious research. But they are according to Finnish researcher Dr. Lassi A. Liikkanen, who recently conducted a study on the phenomenon known as involuntary musical imagery.

"People have been studying voluntary musical imagery for about 25 years," says Liikkanen. "This happens when you play a song in your head to help you figure out the lyrics or melody. What happens more regularly is people experience involuntary musical imagery when they don't want to — and that's when you're talking about earworms."

Liikkanen has been working to determine where earworms come from and whether they can be induced. He even set up the Earworm Clinic as a Facebook application this past spring, and now has a few hundred users to help further these studies. His results echo what James Kellaris, a University of Cincinnati business professor, released in a study in 2003: Virtually any snippet of a song can become an earworm.

But why?

"I believe it is a failure of mental control, an artifact of ironic processing. To 'not think' about something, one must remember what it is one is trying not to think about," says Kellaris.

Pop songs and advertisements, two of the most common sources of earworms, tend to rely on simple subjects and mundane references, which means daily life can be enough to start an earworm up. "[With Carly Rae Jepsen's] 'Call Me Maybe,'" says Liikkanen, "if you're discussing giving someone your phone number that might be enough to trigger the earworm experience of the song."

But for a songwriter, implanting an earworm may be a signal that they've done their job. A well-written pop tune these days is loaded with hooks (Adele's "Rolling In The Deep" is nothing but a succession of hooks, says Greenberg), all of which can get embedded in a listener's head and make the song more memorable. 

"The most important thing is to write something where people think they've heard it before, but they haven't," says Carl Falk, a songwriter who has co-written hits such as One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful" and Nicki Minaj's "Starships," among others. "It's all about simplicity. Simplify to emphasize a couple of things, then [repeat] them a lot."

Alan Menken, the GRAMMY-winning composer behind Broadway and Disney tunes from Beauty And The Beast and The Little Mermaid, among others, says an earworm is a good thing.

"That little fragment [that] gets in there during a person's busy, scattered, obsessive day becomes a way to counteract manic energy," says Menken. "The brain is chewing on something else, and the music is a vestige that sits in the brain and it becomes like a mantra, a way to relax."

Pop songs are one thing, but an advertisement that creates an earworm takes a risk with customers. Guy Bommarito, senior vice president and executive creative director at ad firm Ryan Partnership, wrote a few lines about baby back ribs for Chili's in 1995, and hasn't been able to live the resulting "I want my baby back baby back baby back ribs" jingle down since. It even popped up in the hit film Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me in 1999.

"We'd do focus groups later and some people would say, 'If I hear it again I'll stick a fork in my eye' while others would say that's their favorite jingle ever," recalls Bommarito. "It was polarizing."

Kellaris and Liikkanen feel that exploring earworms can lead to broader applications of the science. Liikkanen says he hopes he can learn from musical obsessions, a form of OCD, which is like an extreme earworm that can distract a person from daily life. "In rare cases, it can get unbearable," he adds.

Kellaris thinks that once we understand how they operate, earworms could prove useful in another way. "If we can train earworms, we can harness their power to convey messages," he says.

But for some, the real question about earworms is how to make them stop. The bad news is there's no good answer. Liikkanen suggests that people can help eliminate earworms by reducing their amount of musical exposure, but Kellaris has a more Zen approach.

"Don't fight an earworm," he advises. "It just makes them angry, and they will bite harder."

(Randee Dawn is a New York-based entertainment writer whose work has appeared in The New York TimesLos Angeles Times, VarietyThe Hollywood Reporter, and Emmy magazine. Her short fiction has appeared in 3:AM Magazine and on the podcast "Well Told Tales," and she is the co-author of The Law & Order: SVU Unofficial Companion.)

GRAMMY Rewind: Kendrick Lamar Honors Hip-Hop's Greats While Accepting Best Rap Album GRAMMY For 'To Pimp a Butterfly' In 2016
Kendrick Lamar

Photo: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

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GRAMMY Rewind: Kendrick Lamar Honors Hip-Hop's Greats While Accepting Best Rap Album GRAMMY For 'To Pimp a Butterfly' In 2016

Upon winning the GRAMMY for Best Rap Album for 'To Pimp a Butterfly,' Kendrick Lamar thanked those that helped him get to the stage, and the artists that blazed the trail for him.

GRAMMYs/Oct 13, 2023 - 06:01 pm

Updated Friday Oct. 13, 2023 to include info about Kendrick Lamar's most recent GRAMMY wins, as of the 2023 GRAMMYs.

A GRAMMY veteran these days, Kendrick Lamar has won 17 GRAMMYs and has received 47 GRAMMY nominations overall. A sizable chunk of his trophies came from the 58th annual GRAMMY Awards in 2016, when he walked away with five — including his first-ever win in the Best Rap Album category.

This installment of GRAMMY Rewind turns back the clock to 2016, revisiting Lamar's acceptance speech upon winning Best Rap Album for To Pimp A Butterfly. Though Lamar was alone on stage, he made it clear that he wouldn't be at the top of his game without the help of a broad support system. 

"First off, all glory to God, that's for sure," he said, kicking off a speech that went on to thank his parents, who he described as his "those who gave me the responsibility of knowing, of accepting the good with the bad."

Looking for more GRAMMYs news? The 2024 GRAMMY nominations are here!

He also extended his love and gratitude to his fiancée, Whitney Alford, and shouted out his Top Dawg Entertainment labelmates. Lamar specifically praised Top Dawg's CEO, Anthony Tiffith, for finding and developing raw talent that might not otherwise get the chance to pursue their musical dreams.

"We'd never forget that: Taking these kids out of the projects, out of Compton, and putting them right here on this stage, to be the best that they can be," Lamar — a Compton native himself — continued, leading into an impassioned conclusion spotlighting some of the cornerstone rap albums that came before To Pimp a Butterfly.

"Hip-hop. Ice Cube. This is for hip-hop," he said. "This is for Snoop Dogg, Doggystyle. This is for Illmatic, this is for Nas. We will live forever. Believe that."

To Pimp a Butterfly singles "Alright" and "These Walls" earned Lamar three more GRAMMYs that night, the former winning Best Rap Performance and Best Rap Song and the latter taking Best Rap/Sung Collaboration (the song features Bilal, Anna Wise and Thundercat). He also won Best Music Video for the remix of Taylor Swift's "Bad Blood." 

Lamar has since won Best Rap Album two more times, taking home the golden gramophone in 2018 for his blockbuster LP DAMN., and in 2023 for his bold fifth album, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers.

Watch Lamar's full acceptance speech above, and check back at GRAMMY.com every Friday for more GRAMMY Rewind episodes. 

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10 Albums On Divorce & Heartache, From Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' To Kelly Clarkson's 'Chemistry'
Kacey Musgraves performs at the 2021 VMAs.

Photo: John Shearer/MTV VMAs 2021/Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS

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10 Albums On Divorce & Heartache, From Fleetwood Mac's 'Rumours' To Kelly Clarkson's 'Chemistry'

Divorce albums have been a staple of the music industry for decades. Take a look at some of the most notable musings on a breaking heart, from Kacey Musgraves, Kanye West and more.

GRAMMYs/Jun 30, 2023 - 05:46 pm

Divorce can be complicated, messy, and heartbreaking. But those feelings are prime fodder for songwriting — and it's something that artists of all genres have harnessed for decades.

Writing through the pain can serve many benefits for an artist. Marvin Gaye used Here, My Dear as a way to find closure in the aftermath of his divorce. Adele told Vogue that her recording process gave her somewhere to feel safe while recording 30, a raw account of the aftermath of her marriage ending. And Kelly Clarkson's new album, chemistry, finds her reclaiming herself, while fully taking stock of everything that happened in her marriage, good and bad. 

As fans dive into chemistry, GRAMMY.com has compiled a list of 10 divorce albums from all walks of music. Whether you need to cry, vent, or maybe even laugh, there's a divorce album that has what you need.

Tammy Wynette, D-I-V-O-R-C-E (1968)

During her life, Tammy Wynette was a prolific country songwriter and singer, releasing numerous albums exploring all aspects of love. She was also deeply familiar with divorce, with five marriages throughout her adulthood.

The most intimate album on the topic is her bluntly titled 1968 project D-I-V-O-R-C-E, which explores how sensitive the topic was to speak about. The title track is a mournful tune about hiding a separation from her children, but also conveys the general difficulty of discussing the topic with anyone. Elsewhere on the album, "Kiss Away" is a longing ballad about wishing for a more tender resolution when words have failed.

Fleetwood Mac, Rumours (1977)

After recording 10 albums together, Fleetwood Mac were in disarray. During the recording of their eleventh record, the members of the band were going through affairs, divorces, and breakups, even some with each other. Against all odds, they created Rumours — and it became the band's most successful and iconic album.

The spectrum of emotions and sounds on the album is wide. "The Chain" is all fire and bombast, while the laidback acceptance of "Dreams" seeks to find peace in the storm. Fleetwood Mac sorted out their issues and are still going strong to this day, but their heartbreak created something special in Rumours.

Beck, Sea Change (2002)

Beck has had a prolific career, with 14 studio albums to his name. One of his most affecting is 2002's Sea Change, written in the aftermath of his engagement and nine-year relationship ending.

It's a deeply insular album, even by Beck's standards. Tracks like "Already Dead" are slow and mournful, while standout "It's All In Your Mind" finds him burrowing deep into his own thoughts to parse out how exactly he's feeling with his new life.

Open Mike Eagle, Anime, Trauma, and Divorce (2020)

Divorce isn't a topic that immediately brings laughter, but rapper Open Mike Eagle seemed to find humor in his personal story with his album Anime, Trauma, and Divorce. The album title gives a pretty good rundown of what inspired the project, and Mike's laidback rapping sells how silly the aftermath of pain can be.

"Sweatpants Spiderman" finds him trying to become a functional adult again, and discovering the various ailments of his aging body and thinner wallet that are getting in the way. The fed-up delivery on standout track "Wtf is Self Care" is a hilarious lesson on how learning to be kind to yourself post-breakup is harder than it sounds.

Carly Pearce, 29: Written In Stone (2021)

Heartbreak is a common topic in all genres, but country has some of the most profound narratives of sorrow. Carly Pearce added to that legacy with 29: Written in Stone, her 2021 album centered around her 29th year — a year that included both a marriage and a subsequent divorce.

The emotional whiplash of such a quick change can be felt all over the project, from an upbeat diss track like "Next Girl" to more poignant pieces like the title track, which finds Pearce reflecting on her tumultuous year. Her vulnerability resonated, as single "Never Wanted To Be That Girl" won Pearce her first GRAMMY, and her latest single, "What He Didn't Do," scored the singer her fourth No. 1 at country radio. 

Kanye West, 808s & Heartbreak (2008)

Kanye West's fourth album 808s & Heartbreak came from a deep well of pain. Besides the end of his relationship, West was also in turmoil from the death of his mother, Donda. The result is one of the bleakest sounding records on this list — but also one of West's most impactful.

808s & Heartbreak is minimalistic, dark, and brooding, with a focus on somber strings and 808 drum loops (hence the album's title). West delivers most of his lyrics in a monotone drone through a thick layer of autotune, a stylistic choice that heightens the sense of loss. Besides being a testament to West's pain, the electronic sound pioneered on 808s & Heartbreak would serve as a foundational inspiration for the next several years of hip-hop.

Toni Braxton & Babyface, Love, Marriage, & Divorce (2014)

Toni Braxton and Babyface are two stalwarts of R&B in their own rights, and in 2014, the pair connected over their shared experiences going through divorce. Their bond sparked Love, Marriage, & Divorce, a GRAMMY-winning album that intended to capture the more universal feelings the life of a relationship conjures up.

Each artist has solo tracks on the record — Babyface wishing the best for his ex on "I Hope That You're Okay" and Braxton sharing her justified anger on "I Wish" and "I'd Rather Be Broke" — but where they shine is on their collaborations. The agonizing "Where Did We Go Wrong?" is heartbreaking, and the album ends with painful what-ifs in the soulful "The D Word."

Adele, 30 (2021)

Divorce is hard no matter the circumstances, but it gets even more complicated when children are involved. That was the reality for Adele, and it served as major inspiration for her fourth album, 30.

Like every album on this list, there's plenty of sorrow on the record, but what really sets it apart is just how honestly Adele grapples with the guilt of putting her son Angelo through turmoil as well. The album's GRAMMY-winning lead single "Easy On Me" addresses it in relation to her son, and standout track "I Drink Wine" is a full examination of the messy feelings she went through during her divorce.

Kacey Musgraves, star-crossed (2021)

As many of these albums prove, divorce triggers a hoard of emotions, from anger to sadness to eventual happiness. On star-crossed, Kacey Musgraves goes through it all.

There's the anthemic "breadwinner" about being better on her own, "camera roll" looking back on happier times with sorrow, and "hookup scene" about the confusion of adjusting back to single life. Star-crossed sees Musgraves continue to evolve sonically — incorporating more electronic sounds into her country roots — but ultimately, she comes out the other side at a place of renewed acceptance and growth.

Kelly Clarkson, chemistry (2023)

Kelly Clarkson's tenth album chemistry was born out of her 2020 divorce. In true Kelly fashion, she addresses the subject with thoughtful songwriting and a pop-rock vibe fans have adored for 20 years on. 

Chemistry focuses not just on the pain of divorce, but on the tender feelings that many couples still have for each other even after the end. Tracks like "favorite kind of high" mirror the euphoria of love, juxtaposed with ballads like "me," in which Clarkson finds comfort in herself and her inner strength — an inspiring sentiment for anyone who has had their heart broken.

Kacey Musgraves' Road To 'Star-Crossed': How The Breakup Album Fits Right Into Her Glowing Catalog

Look Inside Adele’s Extended Las Vegas Residency: Photos & Social Media Reactions

Raven B. Varona

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Look Inside Adele’s Extended Las Vegas Residency: Photos & Social Media Reactions

“Weekends With Adele,“ the singer’s residency at the Colisseum at Caesar’s Palace has been extended into November. Take a look inside the 16-time GRAMMY winner’s stint in Sin City.

GRAMMYs/Jun 20, 2023 - 10:15 pm

Sixteen-time GRAMMY winner and 25-time nominee Adele had a strong showing at the 2023 GRAMMYs; she won Best Pop Solo Performance (“Easy On Me”) and collected six nominations, including Album Of The Year (30), Record Of The Year and Song Of The Year.

Now, this leading light’s residency at the Colisseum at Caesar’s Palace, dubbed “Weekends With Adele,“ has been extended into Nov. 2023; the original run stretched from Nov. 2022 to Mar. 2023.

Accordingly, photos and social media reactions of the vocal phenom are all over the Internet. Below, immerse yourself in Adele’s reinvigorated Vegas residency, which opened June 16.

All photos by Raven B. Varona.

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Adele's Biggest Songs: 12 Tracks That Highlight Her Monumental Success & Stunning Vocals
Adele performs in Las Vegas on the opening night of Weekends With Adele in November 2022.

Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AD

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Adele's Biggest Songs: 12 Tracks That Highlight Her Monumental Success & Stunning Vocals

As Adele kicks off her second run of her Las Vegas residency, Weekends With Adele, revisit the pop phenom's most beloved hits and signature deep cuts, from "Hometown Glory" to "Easy On Me."

GRAMMYs/Jun 15, 2023 - 02:04 pm

When thinking of defining artists of the 21st century, it doesn't take long for Adele to come to mind. Since her rise in the late 2000s, the London-born singer has captured the hearts of millions with her disarming wit and a powerful voice that is practically unmatched.

In the 15 years since her debut album, 19, introduced her to the world, Adele has reached heights few others ever achieve. She's one of the best-selling artists of all time, she has collected countless awards (including 16 GRAMMYS), and she has sold out arenas around the globe. Between the unabashed honesty of her lyrics and the gravity of her voice, Adele's music has earned her enduring adoration.

Adele's charm and cultural impact have most recently come to life through her sold-out Las Vegas residency, Weekends With Adele. The shows — which initially ran from November 2022 through this March — are a journey through many of the mega-hits fans love, and a celebration of her illustrious career so far. They've seen such acclaim and high demand that Adele added 34 more dates through Nov. 4, kicking off June 16.

As Adele begins the second leg of her Vegas residency, GRAMMY.com looks back at some of the defining songs from beloved superstar's discography.

"Hometown Glory," 19 (2007)

Technically the fourth single from 19, "Hometown Glory" is actually the first song Adele wrote. It was originally released as an introductory standalone single in 2007, giving a glimpse into Adele's relatable songwriting.

While there are elements that make it unique — like an extended piano intro before Adele begins to sing — it's still easy to pick up on the traits that would later make her a star. The vocal intensity is already there, as is her love for human connection. "The people I've met are the wonders of my world," she sings on the chorus, a sentiment that would carry on throughout her career. 

"Chasing Pavements," 19 (2008)

The single that put Adele on the map, "Chasing Pavements" contains many of the elements that define 19. It leans more heavily into the singer/songwriter world than Adele's later work, with verses scored by mellow and understated guitar — a contrast to the big, powerful chorus that incorporates soulful melodies and jazz-like horns.

"Chasing Pavements" gave Adele early success and recognition, becoming her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 and her first Platinum single. It also snagged the singer her first GRAMMY (for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance) as well as nominations for Record and Song Of The Year.

"Rolling in the Deep," 21 (2010)

Adele cemented her staying power with her sophomore album, 21. The first offering from the LP, "Rolling in the Deep," perfectly introduced the more expansive sound and power of the new record. Driving, forceful production from Paul Epworth is matched by a more confident, determined Adele, as she lays into a terrible ex: "Think of me in the depths of your despair/ Make a home down there, as mine sure won't be shared."

Adele's assertiveness spoke to listeners: "Rolling in the Deep" became her first No. 1 single and helped her win the trifecta of Record, Song, and Album Of The Year at the 54th GRAMMY Awards.

"Rumour Has It," 21 (2011)

Coming right after "Rolling in the Deep" on 21, "Rumour Has It" arrives with a bang. Co-written and produced by Ryan Tedder, the track is all soul and blues, built on looping vocal harmonies and a funky guitar line.

More than anything, this track showcases Adele's writing range, proving that she can pen an uptempo pop pleaser alongside her slower ballads and heartstring tuggers. The rhythmic clapping, vocal flourishes on the bridge, and piano outro all helped Adele unleash her feisty side that audiences hadn't seen much of at that point.

"Someone Like You," 21 (2011)

The new musical elements introduced on 21 undoubtedly helped Adele reach new levels of success and artistry. Even so, one of its standout tracks is a reminder that she doesn't need a lot of help to shine.

"Someone Like You" is as simple as it comes — nothing else but Adele and a piano. The result is perhaps her most well-known ballad, which laments on the ending of a relationship with intense emotion. Its connection with listeners and massive success — another No. 1 spot on the Hot 100, a GRAMMY, and six-time platinum certification — on the heels of "Rolling in the Deep" were instrumental in propelling Adele's career forward.

"Skyfall" (2012)

Writing a theme song for a James Bond film is a big deal — and means you're a big deal. One of the most storied franchises in film history, the Bond movies have included themes written by stars like Paul McCartney and Madonna. Adele joined that list in 2012 with "Skyfall," the titular theme for Bond's 23rd adventure.

The track allows Adele to lean more into her theatrical side, with dramatic lyrics soundtracked by swelling strings and horns. It's a thrilling listen, and gave Adele an Oscar for Best Original Song — the first Bond theme to ever win the award.

"Hello," 25 (2015)

After the massive success of 21 and "Skyfall," Adele went on hiatus for three years. While rumors swirled about an album in early 2015, she didn't confirm her third record, 25, until a month before its November release. Along with confirmation came "Hello," an earth-shattering return that portended 25's acclaim and success.

The album's opening track, "Hello" finds Adele revisiting an old flame in signature fashion: a soaring chorus that puts her towering vocals on display, amplified by awe-inspiring percussion instrumentals from producer Greg Kurstin. The single remains one of her most successful, hitting the top spot on charts around the world, going seven times platinum, and earning her Record and Song Of The Year at the 59th GRAMMY Awards.

"Water Under the Bridge," 25 (2015)

By this point in Adele's career, it was clear that she could master any song or production you give her. While 21 expanded the number of genres she pulled from, 25 introduced maximalist pop production to embellish her bluesy tone.

"Water Under the Bridge" is a perfect example of one of Adele's sonically densest tracks. Another Adele/Kurstin collaboration — with help from another new collaborator and pop mastermind, Max Martin — the upbeat track features a chorus that fills the senses with piercing drums and layered backing vocals, all of which beg to be played at full volume.

"River Lea," 25 (2015)

Alongside pop delights and powerful ballads, Adele tapped into gospel on 25 with "River Lea.". While Adele dabbled with gospel influences before, it was never as openly as the haunting keys that comprise the main instrumental.

Production is provided by the multi-instrumental Danger Mouse, who sprinkles a hip-hop beat into the otherwise haunting track. The result is one of Adele's most arresting tracks, with a sound that's equal parts old-school dirge and pop hit.

"Easy on Me," 30 (2021)

In the six years between 25 and Adele's fourth album 30, her world fell apart. Besides the impact the pandemic had on the world, she and her longtime partner Simon Konecki divorced. Much of 30 finds Adele coming to terms with life after marriage. This includes lead single "Easy on Me," which sees her asking for grace as she figures out how to move on.

The piano-backed track is full of pain and sadness, with the hurt evident in her voice as sings lyrics like "I changed who I was to put you both first/ But now I give up." It set an early picture of Adele's emotional state, and offered poignant foreshadowing to 30's journey of healing and moving forward.

"My Little Love," 30 (2021)

Adele has never shied away from being vulnerable, but "My Little Love" may be the most open she's ever been on a track — and perhaps that has to do with the song's subject, her son Angelo. A slow burning, jazzy piano tune, "My Little Love" Adele continues to explore her feelings over how the divorce has impacted her child.

What really sets the song apart is the inclusion of voice notes that contain Adele's own musings in the immediate aftermath of her divorce, as well as snippets of conversation between her and Angelo. ("Mummy's been having a lot of big feelings recently," she tells Angelo on the bridge; "I feel a bit frightened that I might feel like this a lot," she admits at the song's close.) It's a stunningly raw look at Adele's personal life unlike anything she had delivered before.

"Can I Get It," 30 (2021)

Anyone who has watched an Adele interview or seen her live knows that, despite being known for singing sad tales, she has a charmingly funny personality. As clips of her Vegas show highlight, she loves to tell jokes, and has a bright, lively presence — and "Can I Get It" is a musical depiction of that.

In the middle of a rather heavy album, "Can I Get It" is straight fun, with a groovy production from Martin. It showcases Adele's jovial side, with some of her flirtiest lyrics ("You tease me with your control because I long to live under your spell.") It's one of many ways Adele has shown both her emotional range and musical versatility — a combo that has made her an incomparable pop legend.

GRAMMY Rewind: Adele Urges That Beyoncé's "Monumental" 'Lemonade' Should've Won Album Of The Year In 2017