Why does a song sometimes get stuck in our heads and what precisely makes an earworm?

"I know a song that'll get on your nerves, get on your nerves, get on your nerves. I know a so you get the gist!"

"Why does a song sometimes get stuck in our heads? (And good luck stopping this one now!)"

Short, repetitive, and distinctive musical phrases are more likely to become persistent mental loops because they are easy for working memory to hold and rehearse. The brain automatically fills gaps and completes unfinished musical patterns, which keeps a tune cycling. Recent exposure, emotional arousal, stress, and reduced attentional load increase the chance of involuntary replay. Familiarity and predictability make a melody easier to recall, while unique hooks or unexpected intervals make it more memorable. Deliberate engagement with a different complex task or hearing the full song can often break the loop by providing closure or redirecting attention.

Read at www.theguardian.com