" "Can't stay anymore, hey can't stay, oh, this house is scary, scary, afraid, oh no, I don't want to stay, I don't want to stay, I don't want to stay here, where is this place, is it love? Kiss kiss kiss." These are lyrics from the song 'Yai Ya Ya' by Uno Laothong, currently trending on TikTok and social media. It’s likely the song haunting many ears right now—once you hear it, it loops endlessly in your mind.
The sensation of a song stuck in your head is known in English as " Earworm " (officially called Involuntary Musical Imagery). This isn’t just your imagination; it’s a psychological and neurological phenomenon where the brain memorizes short musical phrases—just a few seconds long—and replays them automatically and repeatedly without your intention.
Songs that energize your body to move, or have a beat suited for walking or running, tend to get stuck more easily than slow, sleepy tunes. Crucially, the melody must be simple and easy to remember, such as: 'Grilled chicken is burning, grilled chicken is burning, it will be skewered, it will be skewered, skewered on the left, skewered on the right.' ("Grilled Chicken" song)
The more the hook repeats words or melodies, the more the brain locks onto it, embedding it into short-term memory. For example: 'Watermelon, watermelon, watermelon.' ("Watermelon" by Jintara Poonlarp)
The song’s structure should be simple enough for the brain to recognize patterns instantly (like ascending or descending scale steps), but also include a "twist"—such as an unexpected rhythm, a slightly off note, or an unusual repeated word—that catches the brain’s attention and helps it remember the tune, such as: 'This house is scary, scary, afraid, oh no, I don't want to stay.' ("Yai Ya Ya" by Uno Laothong)
Earworms happen because the brain processes auditory information unconsciously. Tunes with simple melodies, repetitive rhythms, or frequent exposure are more likely to get stuck and replay longer than usual. Three main factors contribute:
1. The brain is in a daydream or rest mode When doing tasks that require little focus, like showering, commuting, or housework, the brain lets thoughts wander and often pulls up familiar tunes to replay on their own.
2. The brain dislikes unfinished business Hearing only part of a song, especially a hook from a short social media clip, makes the brain feel incomplete. It tries to replay that section repeatedly as if searching for a way to complete the melody.
3. External triggers around you Words, images, smells, or events linked to a memory of a song can prompt the brain to recall and play that tune automatically.
If you find yourself annoyed by a song looping for the hundredth time in your mind, try these simple brain hacks:
Since your brain is stuck because it feels unfinished, play the entire track from start to finish. This helps the brain "close the loop" and move on to other things.
Jaw movement from chewing gum disrupts the brain’s auditory simulation processes, making it harder for the brain to "sing along silently."
Play other challenging songs, or those with complex structures (like instrumental classical or jazz), to take over the mental space previously occupied by the stuck tune.
Engage in activities requiring intense focus and analysis, such as crossword puzzles, Sudoku, or mental math, diverting brain resources away from the looping music.
However, earworms are completely normal and nothing to worry about. They actually prove your brain’s remarkable ability to remember and link musical patterns. These sensations won’t last long; once your brain focuses on other things, the earworm will fade away on its own.