Why You Can't Stop Thinking About Taylor Swift's Latest Album
On October 3, 2025, a remarkable day for Swifties arrived as Taylor Swift released her highly anticipated album, The Life of a Showgirl. This marks her first new release following the monumental Eras Tour, solidifying her status as a cultural icon. It's no surprise that even those who might not usually listen to her music are diving into this album, eager to uncover the magic that makes Taylor so captivating. Many fans have noted that just a couple of listens to The Fate of Ophelia left it lodged firmly in their minds—a prime example of what is popularly known as an earworm, a catchy tune that unexpectedly resurfaces in our thoughts.
Other well-known earworms include the infamous Baby Shark, a song that many will find themselves humming long after reading this. You're welcome! Earworms can differ significantly based on individual preferences, but certain songs are intentionally crafted to stick in our heads. What is the underlying reason for this phenomenon?
Essentially, there are melodies, rhythms, and even lyrics that appeal to specific areas of our brains, so that a simple trigger can bring them back to the forefront of our minds, often when we least expect it. This is a common occurrence with numerous tracks by Taylor Swift and other artists. This ability to craft memorable melodies is a skill that many musicians strive for, as it can lead to widespread appeal and commercial success. After all, music is a form of art, and every song serves a distinct purpose—some aim to captivate the mind, while others may have different artistic intentions.
Understanding earworms: What are they?
Earworms are songs that play repeatedly in our minds, usually triggered by some form of stimulus. For instance, if you regularly hear a particular song while shopping at a specific store, you might find that song looping in your head during your next visit, even if the in-store music has changed.
Both scientists and musicians have been intrigued by earworms for years. Scientists aim to discover which brain regions become active with earworms, while musicians seek to understand how to create them through their compositions.
Recent research has provided insights into both questions. Earworms primarily activate the auditory cortex, which means that even in silence, our brain can "hear" the music. Moreover, as explained by musicology professor Emery Schubert from the University of Sydney, the brain's default mode network is also activated. This network comprises various brain areas that engage when our mind is at rest and not focused on any specific task. While this can aid in daydreaming and foster creativity, it can also lead to intrusive thoughts, including those pesky earworms.
What types of songs cause earworms?
Typically, songs that induce earworms feature short and repetitive sequences. This does not necessarily mean that the lyrics are repeated; simple melodic phrases can also have this effect.
Generally, our brain processes information in small chunks to aid memorization. When we memorize lengthy information, like a speech, we link the end of one segment to the start of another. In contrast, if we are unfamiliar with the beginning of the next segment, our brain often reverts to the start of the previous one. Thus, when we know only a fragment of a song that is often repeated, our brain will loop it over and over.
Fast tempos can also enhance the likelihood of earworms forming. In addition, the simplicity and repetitiveness of melodies contribute to this effect. Familiarity with a melody plays a crucial role, as the more we hear it, the easier it is for it to embed itself as an earworm.
How does this connect to Taylor Swift?
Many of Taylor Swift's songs contain the essential ingredients that make them potential earworms. Take The Fate of Ophelia, for instance; while it may not be the fastest track, it features a rapid and highly repetitive rhythm. The lyrics are short, often ending with a catchy refrain, creating an easily memorable pattern. Additionally, Scarlet Keys, a composition professor at Berklee College of Music, has pointed out that the lyrics utilize techniques that facilitate earworm formation. For example, an asyndeton is employed, where enumerations are made without using conjunctions: “Keep it one hundred on the land (Land), the sea (Sea), the sky.”
Moreover, Taylor Swift's songs are frequently played on the radio and especially shared across social media platforms, making them extremely familiar to listeners. The Fate of Ophelia quickly became a topic of many Instagram stories right after its release. There’s something about becoming a part of social media feeds that can transform a song into an earworm. We have seen similar trends with tracks like Golden by K-Pop artist Demon Huntres or Tropicoqueta by Karol G.
All of these songs are earworms, and it's likely that one of them is already playing on repeat in your head. If you're looking to banish that tune, there are actually songs designed to overshadow earworms and help clear them from your mind. Here’s a suggestion for one such track:
Now, give it a try and see if it works for you!
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