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Podcasts Take Two
Song stuck in your head? New earworm study may have the cure
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Mar 14, 2014
Listen • 15:18
Song stuck in your head? New earworm study may have the cure
Researchers in London and Switzerland have been examining what makes a song an earworm and what types of situations trigger them. They came up with some strategies for getting rid of earworms based on thousands of survey responses.
Disney's "Frozen" topped the animation honors at the 41st Annie Awards, taking home five trophies, including best animated feature.
Disney's "Frozen" topped the animation honors at the 41st Annie Awards, taking home five trophies, including best animated feature.
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Researchers in London and Switzerland have been examining what makes a song an earworm and what types of situations trigger them. They came up with some strategies for getting rid of earworms based on thousands of survey responses.

Almost everyone has had an earworm moment. You know, that song you just can't get out of your head. An uncontrollable loop that you can't stop hearing on, and on and on.

We asked listeners for their earworms and we got a lot of responses. Many of which blamed Disney for earworm infections.  

Doug Larson and Curtis Page posted on Facebook with: "It's A Small World." Elise Woodward says "My kids won't stop singing "Let It Go" from "Frozen." Pharrell's "Happy" got a few vote, and Jennifer Barbee wrote:



"At least several times a week I catch myself whistling 'Yellow Submarine.' This has been going on for over a decade. I don't even like that song. I'll accept any suggestions for deprogramming tactics!"

Well, take heart Jennifer, because there may be a cure. Researchers in London and Switzerland have been examining what makes a song an earworm and what types of situations trigger them. They came up with some strategies for getting rid of earworms based on thousands of survey responses.

Joining us is one of those researchers, Vicky Williamson, visiting professor at the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Switzerland.