[rowan99 (OP)]

I hate earworms as much as anyone but there is one short, simple tune that I love and have been playing it over on a loop for hours each day to get it into my head as an earworm. The problem is that as soon as I stop listening to it I totally forget it - I know that it is a tune I like but I cannot for the life of me remember how it goes.

This is not a problem I have had with any other tune, or have heard about. Any opinions?

[Tim the Plumber]

errrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.......................?

Can anybody tell me what has happened to the world?

Am I mad or is it everybody else?

[rowan99 (OP)]

C'mon, I am serious. There has been quite a bit of research on earworms but I have not found anything that matches my problem. I realise that most people do anything to get rid of them ( an usually I am one of those people) and maybe I am a bit weird to actually want one. It has got me stumped, especially since I am unable to actually remember the tune after I stop listening to it. Surely someone with more knowledge can offer an opinion.

[Colin2B]

Interesting experiment, I wonder if your mind has become habituated to the music just like a constant background sound can be filtered out. Same happens with other stimuli eg nerve ends on skin.

You might be interested in this study http://icmpc-escom2012.web.auth.gr/sites/default/files/papers/1124_Proc.pdf by folks at Goldsmiths.

[wombat]

In Australia and perhaps amongst people of a certain age who know the song, I recall someone on radio discussing earworms that drive one mad and they said that the anti earworm that always works is a song called, I think, The Horses by a chap named Daryl Braithwaite 

Of course, it all depends on your taste in music  I could be actually recommending yet another earworm to you  Though I don't mind it I don't find it hangs about so I think it works

I rarely have the problem but return to my old loved songs and that cancels anything that gives me the HORRORS

I come close to running from a room if anyone even mentions Boney M and my brain feverishly starts up a desperate chorus of something I'm fond of...  Doing it now...

I find I can block out any earworm if I watch and listen to quite a modern song for me

The Black Horse and The Cherry Tree I think it's called

The young woman who sings it does a version  (there are a number of versions uploaded but I just love the early version to see her build the beat and music), where she has some sort of machine that records loops of her singing or stamping etc and she builds it into the song  It's fascinating and before it being her 1st hit I believe she would busk with this machine and guitar

Sadly I dont recall her name  She MAY have been Scottish?

I find it will knock out anything  OR in the car, although 100% atheist, I don't mind a tuneless bellow of Handel's Hallelulah Chorus accompanied by an asthmatic wheeze

[wombat]

Sorry Did you mean songs you just can't get to STICK in your head?

Just hang about with people over 50 who are often to be heard to say

How did that song go again? and 2 or 3 in the conversation will start a dissonant and hesitant  attempt that peters out or winds on tunelessly until everyone triumphantly bellows the chorus or last line...

Yes  I am now that old fool I used to shake my head over...

[helter]

Interesting experiment, I wonder if your mind has become habituated to the music just like a constant background sound can be filtered out. Same happens with other stimuli eg nerve ends on skin.

You might be interested in this study http://icmpc-escom2012.web.auth.gr/sites/default/files/papers/1124_Proc.pdf [nofollow] by folks at Goldsmiths.

That's an interesting experiment.

[Colin2B]

The Black Horse and The Cherry Tree I think it's called

The young woman who sings it does a version  (there are a number of versions uploaded but I just love the early version to see her build the beat and music), where she has some sort of machine that records loops of her singing or stamping etc and she builds it into the song  It's fascinating and before it being her 1st hit I believe she would busk with this machine and guitar

Sadly I dont recall her name  She MAY have been Scottish?

K T Tunstall, yes Scottish. Shot to fame with that song on Jules Holland when she stood in for a last minute drop out. Saw her as supporting act for Police at their last ever concert together, very professional and excellent use of her loop box. You should try her cd Eye to the Telescope.

Anti earworms. Well, there are lots I can't hold in my head and I don't think it's age related. John Cage's 7 min etc and most of what passes for modern classical music and disco dance, both have given up on melody but I suppose the latter has retained rhythm. Give me a Led Zeppelin any day - ah now I can't get a tune out of my head, rats.