Most often I think of myself as pretty average but then something will happen that makes me think maybe I might be a bit unusual. That is why I love blogging. I can throw out my concern and usually find out, I am just one of many. That can be either comforting or disconcerting. Disconcerting only if I thought for a moment I might be unique. Comforting to know that I am not.
Lately I have been really plagued with earworms (songs that run endlessly through your mind). Sometimes I think it is self defense against today's headlines. Kind of like when you put your fingers in your ears and chant "na, na, na, na na na" when you don't want to hear something. Perhaps my earworms are trying to drown out the daily onslaught of dreadful news.
Regardless, I wake up with them in my head and they keep me company most of the day. It is rarely the same song. Right now, "Better Man" by Little Big Town is vying for my attention but I have been able to suppress it---mostly.
What I have discovered is that I have lately learned dampen the tune till it becomes just background music for what ever else I am thinking about. Now I have two simultaneous thought processes going at once. My brain is multitasking.
Sadly I'm often not only hearing the professional version of the song but sometimes my own voice is warbling away. My thought voice has much better pitch than my real voice but it still has the effect of bad karaoke.
As I am writing this, that song is keeping me company in the background. They say the only way to get rid of an earworm is to sing the words of the song all the way through. So here goes.
Ahh, now I'm better and it is finally purged but if you don't want to take the chance of installing your own earworm--feel free to pass on this video. But if the mere mention of this song has caused you to have it as an earworm, the lyrics are included so you can heal yourself.
Well, of course I have earworms. Doesn't everybody? I've got one in there from yesterday and it's still there. I kind of enjoy them as background noise. I didn't listen to the video for obvious reasons. :-)
ReplyDeleteDjan,
ReplyDeleteAh, thank you. This was the first time I was aware of hearing the earworm and thinking active thoughts simultaneously and thought it strange. Guess I am just a late bloomer:)
I have had earworms. Lately, I've noticed that I can pretty much tell when is song is going to become an earworm, and I turn it off immediately. Then,I put on something else that I know won't. Does your earworm show up on its own, or have you listened to the song at some point during the day?
ReplyDeleterobin,
DeleteWell I wake up with them. I am use to earworms, just not use to them as background for my thoughts. The great thing is that since I wrote this post, I have been earworm free. Yea.
Usually have one, lately it's been It's The End of The World As We Know It and I Feel Fine by R.E.M.
ReplyDeleteMac n' Janet,
DeleteWow, is that ever apropos for today's headlines--hurricanes, earthquakes, etc. .
I can't recall this happening to me, but then I don't listen to much music, other than the classical radio station. I do hum Beethoven every now and then.
ReplyDeleteStephen,
DeleteHa ha, lucky you. As long as your brain isn't doing the humming:)
Unfortunately my earworm is the song from the Wizard of Oz, "If I Only Had a Brain"!!
ReplyDeleteFran,
DeleteHa ha--and that coming from one of the sharper minds I know.
Well---I definitely have them.... Music constantly runs through my mind/brain.... I love love love music.... I will hear a song early in the morning and it stays with me most of the day... Like yesterday---when I was working on today's blog post, I wrote about "People--People who need People"----WELL---that song was with me most of the day... As far as multi-tasking ---well, I don't seem to be as good with it as I was when I was working full-time.... My old body/soul/mind is slowing down some... It tells me to enjoy the moment --and not worry about the next task.... I try ---but that song is always still there... ha
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Betsy,
DeleteI know, they really are persistent aren't they:) I may have found the cure. I wrote this post in the middle of the week and I haven't had one earworm since. Think I may have found a permanent cure.
I just thought every one had "earworms". I even have music to keep me company when I get up for my nightly trips to the facilities. Now I'm wondering, when did the music begin? Don't remember it when I was young....but then, I don't remember being young on most days. Sigh. xoxo Oma Linda
ReplyDeleteLinda W,
DeleteNow that you bring it up, I don't remember them in my youth either. Hummm. Maybe middle age???
I have them all the time and unlike DJan I hate them. I read an article in the NYT this spring that said the easiest way to get rid of them is to do an anagram or other complex puzzle. I keep a small booklet of them nearby. Otherwise, I grab my iPod and listen to another song and that usually rids me of the earworm. I cannot move it back to background music and usually have no idea how it popped into my brain and took over. I've even been known (only to myself) to shout obscenities as loud as possible if I'm in the car alone.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn,
DeleteIt is that background music that started getting to me. I agree with you, it is the "take over" aspect that gets to me and often it is just a small portion of the song the just keeps repeating. So far since writing this post, I have been earworm free. Fingers crossed.
No. I don't even know what you're talking about. Is it like OCD?
ReplyDeleteBelva,
DeleteProbably not. Just a glitch that some of us have when a song gets stuck in our heads. Sometimes, I hear both my thoughts and the music at the same time.
Seriously Patti, sometimes I feel like I've spent my life in a mushroom cave. I've reached this age and then hear about certain things that everyone seems to know about and I have no knowledge of it. This makes me reflect on my life. It must be kind of pleasant to have background music for your thoughts.
DeleteBelva,
DeleteDon't feel left out. This is not a fun thing to go through. It might be pleasant if it were a whole song but it is just a portion the keeps repeating. You aren't missing a thing.
Never heard of music running through your head called earworms before. Just the other day I had "My Friend the Witch Doctor,' playing over and over again in my head driving me crazy. It does help to sing the song through, I've noticed, but then my husband will come in humming another song and I'm off to the races again! I think if you like music, you always have some kind of song going on. I hum going through the grocery and don't even realize I'm doing it until someone looks at me funny.
ReplyDeleteSnickelfritz,
DeleteI know. They can really get stuck and persistent can't they? Think you are right about having a love for music. Ah ha, the phantom hummer:))
Yes, I have earworms. They get annoying after a while. I just realized reading this post that I have not had one for quite a while. that's a relief.
ReplyDeleteLinda R,
DeleteOoh, I hope you keep your wormless record in tact and my post didn't stir up any.
I sometimes have earworms that accompany me through my day and I don't mind in the least as long as I'm able to think and do other things. If it's a song I dislike though, I'll put on some music that I do like so one of those can take over.
ReplyDeleteRiver,
DeleteI'm Ok also unless it gets pushy and really dominates my thinking. Never thought of a replacement. May try that.
Now that you mention it, I have had occasional ear worms. Most recently, triggered by a commercial some weeks ago, “Sh Boom” has been driving me up the wall. I had just gotten it out of my mind, and now you’ve done it with this post and it’s started all over again.....Sh Boom, Sh Boom. ......yadada....yadada..........
ReplyDeletejoared,
DeleteAh, you did it to me gal and broke my silence. I was preparing lunch when "Sh Boom" nestled into my brain. Thankfully it is gone now.
You are not alone. I often catch myself humming the same refrain as I work. I do it unconsciously and wish I could stop. Luckily, I don't hum too loud!
ReplyDeleteBarb,
DeleteIsn't it maddening when we just keep repeating the same refrain? Grrr.
I taught band years ago and studied music. I rarely have a song run in my head along with other thoughts. Mine seem tomreside in their own space.
ReplyDeleteMusic is stored separately from speach in our brains so the two overlapping means you truly are multitasking mentally. Why is hard to understand.
For background music I have to use a gadget. My brain is not doing this.
Heidrun
DeleteMaybe that explains why is it is a new talent for me. It took me 78 years to perfect it:)
I had an ear worm that lasted days if not weeks. Finally it went away and now I can't recall which song it was...and I don't want to recall it, either. Gads. It was sooo annoying. Hate when that happens! I love music but don't want one playing non-stop in my head. I must be multi-tasking as I'm always thinking about something and the song will be there, too. Here's to a worm-less week for us! :)
ReplyDeleteCheryl,
DeleteWelcome to the not so cool club. It really is annoying isn't it? Hope you remain worm free.
Like Carolyn I hate them also. Most are little ditties and tunes from my childhood. Some are alright but many are racist jingoes from my father in the late forties and early fifties. I try to stop them but they keep popping up. Yes the hate the whole concept....:(
ReplyDeleteTB,
DeleteI know it is that maddening repetition that gets us. Lately "Jesus Loves Me" has popped up after 70 years. Sheesh.
Feeling Groovy. It helps my timing when bowling of golfing.
ReplyDeletejoeh,
DeleteSure glad you have a helpful one. Now I just hope that one doesn't follow me today. There is no golf nor bowling on my schedule today:)
Oh, that's what they are called. When I walked, and now when I work out in the pool, I hum Summertime.
ReplyDeleteThanks for thinking about my hand. I do have a doctor's appointment next week, and yes, I will have her look at all my burns, gashes, and hand orts. :).
Mage,
DeleteSo glad you are getting it looked at.
Think I would prefer humming. Then at least you can hum the whole tune, not just a small piece. Keep on a humming.
frankly, I'd prefer earworms to the political litany I have trouble avoiding.... new to your blog. Me likey!
ReplyDeleteSilver Willow,
DeleteThank's so much for stopping by and commenting. Welcome.
I agree and just wished it would drown out all the junk we have to hear everyday. Grr.
How interesting! I have never heard of earworms and never suffered (if that's what you do) from one. However, my mouth keeps running even though there's no one here. Samson and Faith say: We are, we hear you, we may not understand you, but you do make a lot of noise.
ReplyDeleteInger,
DeleteLucky you and oh yes, it is generally considered suffering.
Ha ha, I'll bet Samson and Faith enjoy the chatter. It probably makes them feel included.
Oh yes, definitely. However I only get them if I hear a song I like and it stays with me. And I refuse to think about it now.
ReplyDelete