The science behind earworms
An earworm is a song that gets stuck in your head and won't leave. Scientists have studied why this happens.
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In 2016, researchers at the University of St Andrews created a mathematical formula to explain what makes a song an earworm. An earworm must have five key elements: rhythmic repetition, predictability, surprise, melodic potency, and receptiveness.
The Most Addictive Earworms
Using this formula, the researchers identified the 20 most addictive earworm songs of all time, and we're sharing five of them with you here:
5. The Village People – ‘YMCA’
Released: 1978
Album: Cruisin'
Nominations: Juno Award for International Single of the Year
Surprisingly, Village People's 1978 disco classic "YMCA" never reached No. 1 in the United States, but it became a No. 1 hit throughout the world and has remained popular at parties, sporting events, weddings, and functions ever since. Besides, it has a special place in our heads where it's been stuck on loop for years.
4. The Proclaimers – ‘I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)’
Released: 1987
Album: Hollywood Soundtracks
Nominations: MTV Movie Award for Best Musical Moment
We bet you would roll 500 miles, and you would roll 500 more, but it would still be impossible to get this catchy classic out of your head. The Proclaimers' '80s classic did so well that it came as a shock for the band itself.
"You get the performance report through every three or four months saying where it's being played, and some of it is ridiculous. It has been used on TV shows in places from Serbia to Brazil, and you don't know why or in what sort of context, "band member Craig Reid spoke about the song in an interview with The Scotsman.
3. Queen – ‘We Are The Champions’
Released: 1977
Album: News of the World
Yet another Queen song has all the properties of an earworm, according to scientists. "We Are the Champions," released in 1977, has often been used or referenced in popular culture as an anthem for victories, especially at sporting events, including the 1994 FIFA World Cup.
2. Pharrell Williams – ‘Happy’
Released: 2013
Album: Happy
Awards: Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance
When Pharell Williams' upbeat, energetic song was released in 2013, we were all "happy." After listening to it 80 million times in our heads, the "happiness" changed to a cry for help. No wonder it was voted the second catchiest song in the study.
1. Queen – ‘We Will Rock You’
Released: 1977
Album: News of the World
Queen's "We will rock you" was declared the ultimate earworm of our time as it not only meets t all five of the criteria for an earworm song, it surpasses them by a mile. The "stadium song," by and large, it's a favorite among audiences because of its melodic, rhythmic nature, satisfying repetition, and some nice surprises.
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