Why You Can’t Stop Playing That Song

Alice Sterling Honig, professor emerita at Falk College, was interviewed by Refinery29 for a story about human behavior.

Hoing, researcher in child development and human behavior explains some of the reasons why a song may be on repeat for weeks straight. She says that people tend to have an emotional connection to songs, “The same sad song playing over and over can heal the pain, and it feels as if you’re not the only one who suffered this loss or breakup or emotional distress,” she says. It’s not just the similar emotional distress that gets people hooked, it can be songs that keep the energy high. Dr. Hoing states, “If you’re in an upbeat mood, a major mode with a catchy beat just makes you feel even more up.”

She also mentions that some songs are designed to be “catchy,” which leads to its repetition.