So I’m strolling down the hotel hall* in my new black flipflops, and as I round a corner it occurs to me that I’m humming “It’s a Hard Knock Life” from the musical Annie (which, by the way, I haven’t seen since elementary school). Suddenly I’m searching the area for a crowbar, a jackhammer, a radio – anything that will pry, pound, or flush the bubbly tune from my cranium. Nothing. I’m stuck. Only hurrying with my ice refill, slapping back down the hall, and throwing myself at my exhausted iPod or the hotel room’s tiny clock radio will do the trick. Until I find out my husband has Phil Collins’ “One More Night” in his head. Goodbye, show tune. Hello sweet, sappy ’80s ballad.
Most of the time it seems like my life is accompanied by a soundtrack not of my own choosing. In college, I once underwent three months in Mexico singing either “Celito Lindo” or the original version of “Macarena” in my off hours. A couple years ago, I spent a weekend rafting on the San Juan River doing everything in time with the decidedly uncatchy “Amie” by Pure Prairie League. Infectious melodies regularly add to my insomniac misery as I sigh through hours of wakefulness with songs ranging from Jack Johnson’s “Good People” to Beck’s “Hell Yes” running an endless loop in the background. And I can never think of the musical West Side Story without suffering a deluge of show tunes, most especially “America”. It’s amazing how often that Romeo and Juliet adaptation comes to mind simply because I try to resist all thoughts of it.
My brother recently proved to me that the best way to lodge a song in someone’s head is to sing only part of it, stopping midway through – preferably in the middle of a word. This way the person’s brain is forced to continue the melody, starting over and over, until it finds a satisfactory ending. Like Sisyphus and the rock, a satisfying climax never occurs. No wonder it’s death to my peaceful mind when I switch stations partway through “The Milkshake Song”. I assure you, however, that I haven’t listened to “It’s a Hard Knock Life”, either in whole or in part, since a friend last subjected me to her cheerful off-key rendition months ago. So what brought it up?
I’m sick of my usual “ear worms” as they’ve come to be called, and am hereby suggesting a trade. I tell you what I have in my head, and you tell me what you’re singing. (Chances are, it’s now one of the songs I’ve mentioned above. I’m so sorry. Truly.) Or are you one of those lucky people who isn’t subjected to fourteen straight hours of “It’s a Small World After All” just because a coworker finishes a story of running into an old classmate in the deli section of her grocery store with a cheerful, “It really is a small world, isn’t it?” If so, not only are you part of the lucky 2%, but you’re really missing out. I mean, you actually have to turn on a radio to hear a little music. Really, I feel so much pity for you.
*Yes, we’re already on vacation, and have been for a while, which is why I haven’t been haunting the blogosphere as much as usual. Expect more of the same over the next several weeks. Not that blogging’s been totally off my mind, of course. Hubs and I already stayed several nights with the delightful, talented Robin, and I’ll meet up with a few others at the RWA conference next week. If you’re going, too, maybe I’ll see you there! (In the meantime, though, be sure to check out Pam’s posts on preparing for Nationals.) So, really, you are far from forgotten, even when I myself am far from a good network connection.
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spyscribbler said,
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 1:36 am
Well, being a musician, the music never stops. It is a skill, learning how to make the music stop. It’s why, when the whole world goes around hooked up to an iPod, I often crave silence. Music involves too much of my brain; it’s overwhelming at times.
When we were in conservatory, we loved to play a song and end on the V chord, that one chord before the resolution, just to drive each other batty. And then the other person, with a slightly crazed look on their face, would rush to the nearest piano and resolve the damn chord, already.
Dru said,
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 6:56 am
do you know what song popped into my head while I was reading this?
Sing by The Carpenters
Make it stop.
Have fun at the RWA convention. I can’t wait for 2010 when it comes to NY and I can attend the book signing event.
Cynthia said,
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 7:33 am
Songs stuck in your head? I think I know this. My poison, pick any song from the Rent Soundtrack. Any. Song. I do listen to it from time to time, but the song that get’s stuck in my head is usually one I wasn’t listening to.
I usually just listen to other music.
Enjoy the conference!
Alyson Noel said,
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 8:42 am
I LOVE this post!
Okay, for the last two weeks, I’ve been writing (on deadline!) to:
Dead. On. A–ri- val.
Because SOMEONE keeps playing it on Rock Band over and over again. And even when they’re done– it lingers— for days . . .
Caryn said,
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 10:05 am
Spyscribbler, that is hilarious! I love the though of musicians driving each other crazy that way.
Dru, all you need is to get something else in your head instead — preferably something at least as unpleasant.
As for the book signing, I haven’t been to it yet since I’ve never attended Nationals, but I’ve heard it’s amazing.
Ooh, Cynthia, I can see how Rent would be a problem. Chicago also does it for me.
Thanks, Alyson! Good luck with erasing the song from your head. I’m sure it’ll eventually be replaced by something just as tenacious.
c said,
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 10:20 am
i once had the theme song to Green Acres in my crazy little head for about two months. Why? Because i couldn’t remember the last line. See, what works for me is to sing the part of the song stuck in me all the way through with no mistakes and not having that last line was killing me.
i asked everyone and finally, TVLand had a marathon. (i never liked the show.) Anyway, i got the last line, sang it all the way through and it went away! There’ve been many songs since, but that was by far the most irritating.
Kim said,
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 10:35 am
Wow! I thought I was the only one who gets Green Acres stuck in my head. I never liked the show either. I have this curse that I pick up tunes very easily. I usually can remember the lyrics to an entire song upon one hearing. Hence, after my lovely children Netflixed the entire 4th season of Family Guy this week, I’ve been walking around singing “Lucky there’s a family guy …” for days.
Other ridiculous songs that tend to get stuck (I did a post on this once): Take a Chance on Me by ABBA (and I haven’t even heard that song since I was, like, twelve), American Pie (both the original and the Weird Al version … I often mix up the words), and recently “It’s a Fine Life” from the movie Oliver, thanks to Sam’s killer word this week.
pamwritesromance said,
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 12:22 pm
The other night I woke up at 3:00 a.m. with “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell in my head. Oh. My.God.
My other one is any song from the Buffy “Once More With Feeling” soundtrack. (Yes, Caryn, everything comes back to Buffy.)
Marilyn Brant said,
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 5:18 pm
OMG–Boston’s “Amanda”–for 3 weeks now I’ve been hearing that song. Over. And over. And I don’t know why. I’m hoping “It’s a Hard Knock Life” will push it out of my head. Seriously.
Hope to cross paths with you in SF!!
Robin said,
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 6:36 pm
Another great post, Caryn! I get songs stuck in my head *all* the time! But for some reason, at this moment, put on the spot, I’ve got ‘nothin. I can’t even remember the last song that wouldn’t leave me alone. And thankfully, I’m not singing anything from Annie either.
Nice try. No trades today I’m afraid. But when I see you in S.F., watch out! (Because really, I’m not one of those 2%.)
sandi shelton said,
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Okay, once I read somewhere that the TRUE CURE for getting a song dislodged out of your head is to start singing, “Jimmy Crack Corn and I Don’t Care” until the hated song is gone. No one explained why this worked, exactly which brain mechanism was involved…but I figured that you could drive out a song only by replacing it with “Jimmy Crack Corn,” which HAS to be equally as bad as anything by Abba, or Jack Johnson…or the Rent soundtrack. (Maybe not as bad as “It’s a Small World After All” because nothing is that bad). But I tried it, and it worked. And, best of all, “Jimmy Crack Corn” did the magic and then wafted away all on its own. So I’ll be interested to know if this works for other people. I forget where I learned it. The Today Show, maybe? The surgeon general’s report? The insane asylym? Have fun in SF. And tell us all about it!
Caryn said,
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 11:13 pm
Oh, C, I’ve had the Green Acres theme song in my head several times before, too, and I never can remember the words! Glad you finally got it out of there.
Kim, I wish I could remember all the words to a song after hearing it once; I think that would help me get it out of my head since I keep singing it over and over again until I can finally remember all the words (or give in and look them up online).
LOL, Pam! And one of these days I will watch Buffy. Pinky swear.
Oh, Marilyn, that would be such a pain! I hope you like the song better than I do, especially since you’ve been stuck with it. Good luck getting rid of it. And, yeah, I hope we meet up, too. That would be fun!
Robin, you’re lucky! Of course, any time I actually realize that I don’t have a song in my head, then one crowds in — usually because I start thinking of what I last had in there, or what usually gets stuck. It’s dangerous to think about these things!
Sandi, I must try that. Thanks for the hint! I’ll let you know if it works.
Joanne Rendell said,
Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 6:47 am
“Ear Worms” …I love it! Mine are usually tunes from annoying kids shows like Bob the Builder.
I’m going to be at the RWA. Yay. My first time and I’m stupidly excited. When do you get there?
Sandmore said,
Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 8:06 am
You know what song I had running through my head while reading this, because of your title?
This is the song that doesn’t end–
It just goes on and on my friend–
Some people started singing it, not know what it was–
And they’ll continue singing it forever just because
This is the song that doesn’t end…
I suspect you did that on purpose!
This happens to me all the time. When it seems completely random (when I think “Why am I singing THAT?”) I stop and think about the lyrics of the song. Usually there’s something in them that I can trace back to a triggering thought. For example, I looked in the mirror and thought I looked decent in this shirt. An hour later, I find myself singing
I feel pretty
Oh so pretty…
Everybody sing!
emily said,
Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 12:03 pm
as another musician, i just have to echo everything that spyscribbler said. not practicing 4 hours a day anymore really helps to cut out the music in my head.
right now, it’s popular from the wicked soundtrack. kristin chenoweth’s voice just lodges in my head!
i’ve also found that listening to the whole song (over and over) often dislodges my ear worms.
Jax said,
Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Sounds like a great musical soundtrack in your head.
Remember to say “Hi” when you’re at RWA.
Thanks for stopping by my blog!
Cam said,
Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 8:46 pm
My cousin and I sometimes will call each other and sing a few lines from an obnoxious song.. It’s worse it seems when it’s left on your voice mail. Usually the cure is to call her and curse her for planting the ear worm, and then talk for awhile. That seems to make it go away. The one that gets me all the time is ‘You picked a fine time to leave me Lucille….” Arghh! Its starting reruns in my brain right now. And PPL’s “Aimee” is one that will suddenly surface in my brain. That song was on the charts, what? 30 years ago? And it still torments me.
Ilana said,
Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 6:37 am
Yes, I’ve had this happen – but the worst is when its a kid’s TV show theme song. Like ‘Dora, Dora, Dora the explorer…’ it continues in Spanish and I don’t really know all the words or the ending. Perhaps that’s why it sticks.
I don’t mind the Sesame Street one so much – but the kids almost never watch that anyway. Just the ones with annoying theme songs.
Mizzz_K said,
Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 2:50 pm
Song stuck in your head? Don’t worry!
Be happy now. Doooooo doo doo dooOOOoooo doooOOOOooo dodooooOOOOOooooo…
Haven’t had this one in a while, but there it is today. Bobby McFarlin… McFairlin? Mc-something, and I’m not going to go look it up now. I’m going to go put my radio on. Quickly.
THat and for some reason? Lately? The Beverly Hill Billy’s song has been visiting me. That poor mountaineer that barely kept his family fed.
Enjoy RWA!
Brandy said,
Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 6:29 pm
For every song mentioned above I could start humming or singing it. BUT, I can stop. *G* The one song that runs through my head at least once a day? Dona Nobis Pacem. *G*
Caryn Caldwell said,
Monday, July 28, 2008 at 12:07 am
Joanne, check your email.
Sandmore, that is exactly the song I was referencing, especially since it does just keep playing in my head. Good catch! Oh, and the song “I Feel Pretty” gets caught all the time. It’s just too catchy!
Emily, I’ve heard Wicked is wonderful! Must see it sometime. And yes, listening to the whole song does (sometimes) help me, too.
Jax, sure thing!
Really, Cam? I’m not the only one who’s gotten “Amie” stuck in my head? Oh, I feel so much less lame now! Though after reading your comment, I did get “You Picked a Fine Time to Leave Me Lucille” in my head — and quite thoroughly, too!
Ilana, I’ve heard that the Dora song is particularly tenacious. Makes me glad we don’t have kids yet. Kids’ songs are often so obnoxious, too.
Oh, yes, Mizzz_K — “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. I kind of like that one, though it is hard to get out sometimes. And thanks for the RWA best wishes. It’s only a few days off, and I’m really looking forward to it!
Brandy, I don’t think I know that one, and I’m glad I don’t, although now I have to admit I’m curious that I’m giong to look it up. Is it a church hymn? It kind of looks like it, but my Latin (or whatever) is terrible.
Brandy said,
Monday, July 28, 2008 at 12:46 am
I learned it in Chorale about 20 years ago. *g* Funny how whenever I get an earworm it’ usually music that I’ve learned for a purpose. Then again, I was the kid running around the grocery store with my Mom singing the band-aid song when I was 5. Always have had music in my life in one form or another. *G*
Eileen said,
Monday, July 28, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Well thanks for planting those songs in my head. I’ll look forward to seeing you at RWA!
Erica Orloff said,
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 1:18 pm
OMG, now I have ALL these songs in my head.
I used to be friends with these four guys in a moderatley successful band who moonlighted where I worked. They would TORTURE me by dropping by my cube at different times, usually individually, and start singing REALLY BAD catchy 80s tunes . . . and then leave and go “Have fun singing it in your head the rest of the day.” And damn if it didn’t happen!!!!
E
Caryn Caldwell said,
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Okay, Brandy. Now I don’t feel so ignorant. And as for commercials? They’re the worst. I think that’s one of the biggest perks to go along with not having TV.
Hey, no problem, Eileen! And I can’t wait to meet up.
You’re most welcome, Erica. And so mean of your friends singing to you all the time. Though I suppose being serenaded on occasion could be worth it if the guy is an all right singer.
Susan Hatler said,
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 at 9:44 am
I feel for you on the music thing. I’ve had that True Love’s Kiss song from ENCHANTED in my head for days. My brain seems to think it’s some kind of mantra. Ugh.
Mike said,
Saturday, August 2, 2008 at 11:45 pm
“Marconi plays the mamba, listen to the radio, don’t you remember
We built this city, we built this city on rock and…”
Caryn Caldwell said,
Monday, August 4, 2008 at 10:57 am
Susan, I had that in my head for a long time after watching the movie! Disney is really good at making tunes that stick.
Mike, after you sent m the link to the video (in another email) I had that song stuck in my head for hours. In fact, I was singing it for much of the night. Ugh! I suppose I do deserve it, though.
Kate Willoughby said,
Wednesday, August 6, 2008 at 5:17 pm
What a great topic for a blog. I had a great time meeting you, Caryn. (If you’re the Caryn whose nap I interrupted at conference!) One of the songs that tends to take up residence in my head is, oddly enough, also from ANNIE–”Tomorrow.”