How to Get a Song Out of Your Head

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Almost everyone gets songs stuck in their head once every week or two. Called earworms or brainworms, these can be pleasant and relaxing, or a nightmare. Read on to find out how to get this song processed and out of your head.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Engaging with the Song

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c8\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid34435-v4-728px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Most stuck songs, or earworms, are actually parts of a song, such as a catchy chorus or even just a line or two. Your brain might be replaying this because it's stuck on where to go next. Listen to the complete song from beginning to end. This may be the most effective solution, although there are still plenty of times it doesn't work. [1]
    • Engaging with the song doesn't work for everyone. If you hate the idea of listening to the song again, read the section below on distraction techniques .
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c5\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/aid34435-v4-728px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Unclear or forgotten lyrics can also frustrate your brain. Look the lyrics up online. Sing them aloud or sing silently to yourself to help your brain process the song.
    • If you can memorize all the lyrics, this might make the song too long to hold in your head.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d3\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/aid34435-v4-728px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you can play an instrument, try to recreate the song. Grappling with the music and working out how to play it solves the problem for many musicians.
    • Try out different tweaks and variations to break the repetitive cycle.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cb\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/aid34435-v4-728px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Even if you find this difficult, a sense of control can make you less anxious about the situation. For a few minutes, or until you start feeling frustrated, try to change the song in the following ways:
    • Imagine turn down the volume knob of the song until it sounds like a whisper.
    • Imagine your mind as a room with many rooms. Build barriers in front of the song, slowly caging it into a smaller and smaller area. Each time you add a barrier, the song becomes quieter and more muffled.
    • 'Play' the song in your head at a different tempo, imagining it as (very) slow or fast.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f8\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/aid34435-v4-700px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":368,"bigWidth":700,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Once the song is quiet, it's time to end it. Use more visualization techniques to kick it out of your head once and for all:
    • Visualize a sword or sharp object within your head, severing the link between your mind and the song.
    • Imagine a record player in as much detail as possible. Look closely at the needle moving through the groove as the song plays. Lift the needle and listen to the sudden silence. [2]
    • When you get to the end of the song, sing the last note (aloud or in your head), then let the pitch drop steadily until it's much lower than any note in the song. This can sometimes prevent it starting again.
    6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Distracting Yourself

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4b\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4b\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/aid34435-v4-728px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    For many people, chewing gum seems to interfere with the ability to hear the music in your head. [3] This may also help you ignore the song during the next step.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/11\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/aid34435-v4-728px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    One study showed that fighting the song often leads to more frequent, longer episodes later. [4] Try to ignore the tune while you think about something else on your mind. This isn't always possible, but spend a few minutes trying.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e2\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/aid34435-v4-728px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Anagrams, crossword puzzles, and other word-based puzzles can help drive away the song. [5] Thinking about words occupies the same area of your brain that plays the imagined lyrics. Stay focused, and your brain might only be able to stick to one of the two tasks.
    • If you notice no difference and feel yourself getting frustrated, stop. Occasionally, an earworm can get worse if you try to fight it. [4]
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3d\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/aid34435-v4-728px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    A relaxing activity may work best if you feel anxious about the earworm or are worried you can't control it. Here are a few options that occupy the listening and speech centers of your brain: [1]
    • Recite something or read aloud.
    • Hold a conversation.
    • Meditate .
    • Pray .
    • Read a book.
    • Watch television.
    • Play a video game that includes speech and/or text.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/54\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/aid34435-v4-728px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Always choose a song that you enjoy, just in case, it replaces the one in your head! Ideally, you'll find a cure tune that drives out the old song but doesn't get stuck in your head itself. Most cure tunes are specific to one person, but there are a few that turned out to be more popular in one survey: [1] If you hate the idea of listening to these songs, read on for advice on finding your own.
    • God Save the Queen
    • Karma Chameleon by Culture Club
    • Happy Birthday To You
    • The A-Team theme song
    • Kashmir by Led Zeppelin
    • Sledgehammer by Peter Gabriel
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/aid34435-v4-728px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Start with a song that's less likely to get in your head. Avoid catchy tunes, and ideally look for something you've only listened to once or twice before. The harder it is to sing along to, the less likely it is to stick.
  7. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/aid34435-v4-728px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If that doesn't work, it's time to bring out the big guns. This cure will often get stuck in your head instead, but hopefully, if that happens it will be more pleasant. Here are some types of sticky songs:
    • Songs you know well, especially ones associated with nostalgia or a specific memory. [6]
    • Songs that are easy to sing along to. These tend to have notes with long durations, and small changes in pitch. [7] Most pop songs fit this description.
    • Songs with repetition. These include nursery rhymes, songs with repetitive choruses, and, again, most pop songs.
  8. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/aid34435-v4-728px-Get-a-Song-Out-of-Your-Head-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    You can sometimes break the song's hold with math problems that take all your attention to solve. [8] Try to calculate 8208 ÷ 17, or solve 2 x 2 x 2 x 2... as long as you can.
    • A problem that's too difficult will fail to engage you. Pick something within your range of ability. [9]
    9. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Why is a song that I haven't heard for three years stuck in my head?
    Community Answer
    Probably because it brings back memories from your past and your brain recognizes it.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 20 Helpful 112
  • Question
    Why is a song in another language stuck in my head?
    Community Answer
    This is not unusual, it is usually the tune of the song that makes it catchy and not always the words. "Despacito" is a good example of this; it became quite popular despite parts of it being in Spanish because it's got a catchy sound.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 11 Helpful 58
  • Question
    Why do creepy songs get stuck in my head so much?
    Community Answer
    It gets stuck in your head because it has an impact on you and you remember it because it is creepy. Ordinary, non creepy, songs may go mostly unnoticed by you while creepy songs stick in your head.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 18 Helpful 87
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      Show More Tips

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Try doing this trick--it is said that if you sing the end verse of the song aloud or maybe in your head, then the song might end in your brain. I tried and it helped a few times.
      • Read a long book. Immerse yourself in it. Before you know it, you will be dragged into the world of the story and have forgotten all about your song.
      • Replace the song with a low frequency sound, like a rotating fan, breathing, wind, or sound from your activity.
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Play a Song Backwards
      How to Find the Name of a Song without Knowing the Lyrics
      How to
      Do the Cup Song
      Shazam a Video to Identify Music Playing on Any Device
      The Best Ways to Find a Song's Name (With or without Lyrics)
      How to Find a Song You Know Nothing About
      How to
      Determine What Key a Song Is In
      Play "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and 3 Other Songs on a Phone
      How to
      Calculate the Time Signature of a Song
      The Best Way to Copyright Your Song (Plus, Benefits of Registration)
      How to Copyright Your Music for Free & Register with the US Copyright Office
      How to
      Cut a Song
      How to
      Create a Clean Version of a Song
      How to
      Memorize Lyrics of a Song
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0086170
      2. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17302237
      3. ↑ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25896521
      4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Beaman, C.P. and T.I. Williams (2010). Earworms (stuck song syndrome): Towards a natural history of intrusive thoughts . British Journal of Psychology 101(4): 637–653.
      5. ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/9950143/Get-that-tune-out-of-your-head-scientists-find-how-to-get-rid-of-earworms.html
      6. ↑ Williamson, Victoria J. and Sagar R. Jilka. Experiencing earworms: An interview study of Involuntary Musical Imagery . Psychology of Music: September 2014, vol. 42, no. 5, pp.653-670
      7. ↑ Williamson, Victoria J. and Daniel Müllensiefen. Earworms from Three Angles: Situational Antecedents, Personality Predisposition and the Quest for a Musical Formula .
      8. ↑ http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17302237
      9. ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/science/science-news/9950143/Get-that-tune-out-of-your-head-scientists-find-how-to-get-rid-of-earworms.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you have a song stuck in your head, try to distract yourself by chewing gum, listening to another song, or solving word puzzles or math problems. You can also practice a calm verbal activity like reciting something out loud or having a conversation with someone else, which will occupy the speech and listening centers in your brain. If the song is still stuck in your head, try listening to it all the way through while you read the lyrics. If you want to learn how to distract yourself by using other songs, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 602,102 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Brandon Jones

        Jun 18, 2018

        "I get chronic earworms that drive me insane. This article recommended "cure songs" and I tried that by ..." more
        Rated this article:
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement