Complicated Cortex Action
I’ve been somewhat annoyed ever since our Editor Extraordinaire announced this topic. First, because all I could think about is that Meryl Streep movie with the same title. Second, because that Avril Lavigne song “Complicated” has played on repeat in my already overtaxed brain. Don’t even ask why I know the words to that song to begin with.
But why do songs get stuck in our heads?
Apparently, these pests are called “earworms.” And according to howstuffworks.com, they trigger a part of our brains called the “auditory cortex,” eliciting a brain itch that’s similar to a mosquito bite. The more we try not to think about the song, the deeper it gets lodged into our heads.
Let’s try an experiment.
“I want my baby back baby back baby back…”
Were you able to identify what company’s commercial this little ditty is from? Is this earworm now lodged in your head? (If so, you may commence mentally throwing rotten tomatoes at me right now.)
As with almost anything that has to do with our brains, researchers don’t know why certain songs get stuck in our heads.
My sister’s most common earworm is “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)”
My best friend has two: “Yellow Submarine” and “A Wonderful Christmas Time”
So what about you, dear readers? What jingles or songs inevitably earworm their way into your brains? Share them in the comments, so we can all get annoyed with you, and then pass the contagious nuisances to those around us. Today, at your workplace and at home—wherever your days take you—go around singing “I want my baby back baby back baby back.” I guarantee you will be loved by all. Spread the joy that earworms bring!
P.S. If I ever start a band, it’s going to be called “Complicated Cortex Action.” It sounds dirty, but it’s not.
About acbauch123
"Too shy shy, hush-hush eye to eye, too shy-shy….hush hush eye to eye!"
Ooh, that's a good one! Although I always thought they were saying "aye-do-why"–whatever that means.
One of my other 80's earworms is "Safety Dance" by Men at Work: "We can dance! We can dance! Everybody look at your hands!" (Although my sister and I still argue over whether or not they say "hands" or "dance." I think it's hands, although pants is more fun…)
"Free Credit report dot com…Tell your something tell your something tell your mom…"
Ah! I hate those commercials! Every time they come on, I can't grab the remote and hit mute fast enough. Without the music though, I confess that I find the Renaissance festival one funny. But that's probably because I'm waiting for someone with a cart of corpses to wander through, ringing a bell and shouting, "Bring out yer dead!" :0)
"wake me up before I go go"
Jitterbug! Ah, guesswho, you just put the boom-boom into my heart…
Any song with Wham! gets me. The only thing my husband dislikes about the Christmas season is me incessantly singing, "Last Christmas, I gave you my heart. The very next day, you gave it away…"
For the last three months its been
"… a ride on your go-go stick. Let's play a love game, play a love game…." and that is the ONLY LINE I know from that song… and it goes over and over and over and over…. and well you get it now… and what's worse? I see the video in my minds-eye… Damn that Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga's songs are certified earworms. And I know what you mean about that song. For a good two months, those were the only words I knew as well. I finally forced myself to learn other words, so that if it got stuck in my head, at least I didn't keep singing about "disco sticks" and "love games."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_-9QFvhQWo
I often cry myself to sleep for weeks when this shit catches me unaware….
LOL! Oh, that one's fabulous! Never seen it before, and now I might have to send that link to my husband…
oh yeah, they've helpfully brought out a new one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUfV97wnlcg&fe…
I fucking hate you Amanda….
I'll need to dine on sleeping pills tonight again.
Holy crap! As if one isn't bad enough!
This is one of my fave commercials:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJ3oHpup-pk
And The Cleveland Show even did a parody. Priceless.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCJdpP9Hy5w&fe…
It's just like a mini mall!