Why people listen to music
From love songs to lullabies, rock 'n' roll to heart and soul, it's almost impossible to live a life untouched by music.
We've all got our go-to tunes, for good times, bad times and everything in between - but what makes us connect to them in the first place?
Well, here at BBC Bitesize, we've taken a deep dive into the human love of music: why it connects with us, how it affects our brain, and how we can use songs to help us concentrate!
Why do people like listening to music?
There's a whole range of reasons for our collective love of music, from the scientific to the social.
In terms of science, studies show that listening to music releases dopamine, a 'happy hormone' that induces feelings of pleasure in the brain. Music's also full of patterns that allow our brain to jump forward and predict what comes next, giving a sense of safety and enjoyment.
Beyond the scientific, music has served as a way for people to build connections and community all across the globe. From pop to punk, people use the music they love to define their identity and find others who feel the same way.
At Taylor Swift's recent Eras Tour, fans took to sharing homemade friendship bracelets, providing a physical symbol of the community and connection they'd found through Taylor's tunes.
How does music affect our brain?
Listening to music activates a number of pathways and networks in the human brain, and helps to induce the release of hormones and neurotransmitters that can have positive impacts across the brain.
Research has shown that listening to calming music can reduce levels of adrenaline and cortisol in the bloodstream, in turn reducing feelings of stress and anxiety.
Studies have also found that listening to music causes the release of 'happy hormones', like dopamine, which can help boost our mood, self-esteem and combat feelings of sadness or depression.
How can music benefit our health?
Listening to music can activate nearly every area of the brain. Our brains function on a sort of 'use it or lose it' basis, with neglected networks and pathways weakening over time, as neurones are deployed in other, busier areas.
As such, listening to music helps keep pathways all across the brain fit and firing, improving overall cognitive health in the long run.
Music is also a useful tool in reducing feelings such as stress and anxiety. Listening to music has been shown to release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that induces feelings of pleasure and happiness.
Studies have also shown that calming music can aid the release of hormones like melatonin, as well as reducing the levels of adrenaline and cortisol in the bloodstream, helping to combat stress and anxiety.
Calming music can also prove useful as a remedy for insomnia, with a 2007 study of insomniacs finding that 80% of participants became better sleepers after three weeks of listening to classical music before bed.
Why do people listen to sad music?
It seems a little odd that people love sad music, right? I mean, after all, why would anyone be looking for reasons to feel sad?
Well, if you've ever wondered why, you're not alone - as scientists and philosophers alike have been fascinated by this topic for centuries.
Aristotle, a philosopher from Ancient Greece, argued that sad art provided a sense of emotional catharsis for those consuming it, providing a sort of 'safe space' for them to experience difficult emotions. He felt that sad art allowed people to purge themselves of negative feelings, helping them function better in day-to-day life.
Modern scientific studies haven't necessarily disproven this theory, more so adding additional context to our love of sad songs.
A study from the Journal of Aesthetic Education found that people preferred music that was highly emotional but technically flawed, to music that was technically perfect but lacking in emotion.
Scientists involved in the study suggested a fairly simple explanation for why people love sad music. It isn't that people enjoy the emotion of sadness as such, but that sad music fosters a sense of connection for people.
A person going through grief or heartbreak might be experiencing emotions so strong they can't believe that anyone else has felt the same way. But by stumbling on the right book, or the right film, or the right song, they can find a way to feel less alone in those emotions, knowing that someone else out there has felt the same way.
In this way, a sad song can function as a supportive friend - letting you know, that even in the saddest of times, you don't have to feel alone.
What music will help you to focus?
The Snow White mantra, 'whistle while you work', has extended far beyond the iconic film - with many choosing a few choice tunes to play while they work or study.
Whilst music can be helpful, it can be a hinderance too - so what kind of music is best for you during study periods? Well, there's a few different things people suggest.
The calming effects of classical music are well-trodden ground, though research suggests there's no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to concentration.
Music without lyrics, that's calm, soothing and unlikely to get you all riled up is good - helping you to stick to the studies as opposed to the samba.
One suggestion, from a Harvard neuroscientist, is to listen to songs that you're familiar with. You know the beat, the tune, the words, and so you're less likely to be distracted than if you stumbled onto something you don't know.
Music can also help make exercise feel easier, shifting focus away from physical discomfort and towards some top tier tunes - with studies showing that music can reduce perceived exertion by up to 10%. As such, why not check out this BBC Bitesize article and learn how to add a run into your revision routine.
