Why do we listen to music?

Broadcast Tuesday 8 May 2018 at 12:00amTue 8 May 2018 at 12:00am

Whether it's classical, heavy metal or pop, there's nothing like hitting play on your favourite track and letting the music take over. Music has existed for tens of thousands of years in just about every culture around the world. But why we do we like it so much? Well that's a really complicated question that's still got scientists scratching their heads. But there are a few ideas about why people just can't beat the beat.

IDEA 1 - Music Makes Us Feel Good. Scientist have found that when we listen to music our brain releases dopamine. That's the chemical in our bodies that makes us feel happy. The same thing happens when we eat certain foods like chocolate.

IDEA 2 - Music Makes Us Move. Notice that when a song starts playing, even if it's not your groove, you can't help but tap your foot along to the beat? it's something we do as babies, as these internet stars can prove. That's because our bodies, our heartbeats, our brainwaves are actually reacting the music in a process called entrainment. That gives us the impulse to tap along or bust a move when we hear music. And that physical expression of dance makes our brain excited. In fact, studies have found that dancing releases endorphins which are our happy hormones and it makes us feel more comfortable and relaxed. Which is why for decades people haven't been able to stop shaking their groove things.

IDEA 3 - Brains Love Repetition. Have you ever loved a song so much you listen to it again and again and again? Well that's because our brains love repetition. All music uses repetition to make patterns and pop music is particularly repetitive which is probably why it's so, well, popular. Even if we haven't heard a song before we often try to predict how it'll play out by following the patterns we're familiar with. That's why some experts reckon it can be harder for people to really get into jazz and classical music because it's less predictable, so it doesn't give our brains the same immediate reward.

IDEA 4 - Music helps Us Communicate. Studies have shown that people tend to react in similar ways to certain types of music. For example, angry music or peaceful music. It's a trick film and TV makers use a lot. For example, here's me looking sad, and here's me looking hopeful, and here's me looking heroic. Even if we don't speak the same language music can communicate emotions and bring people together. Which is another reason why we say "thank you for the music."

Hi BTN, my name's Isobel and my question is: Why do people like music so much?

Discussion Questions

1. Discuss the story in pairs. Share your thoughts with the class.
2. About how long has music existed?
3. Complete this sentence. Scientists have found that when we listen to music our brain releases a chemical called ___________.
4. How does this chemical in our bodies make us feel?
5. What does entrainment mean?
6. What hormone is released when we dance?
7. Why do some experts say it's harder for people to get into jazz and classical music?
8. Studies have shown that people tend to react in similar ways to certain types of music. True or false?
9. How does music make you feel? Explain.
10. Have you seen or heard something in the news you'd like explained? Ask your question on BTN Investigates.

Comments

music is the best and it's kinda funny - Leo

music is the best thanks for the info BTN. - Violet

this article was really helpful I didn't know that our brain likes repetition this is probably why I like to listen to the same songs multiple times. or that our brains releases dopamine which makes us happy. Thanks BTN - cynthia

WOW I didn't know that! Now I know why I love music, I do a sport called baton twirling we use a lot of music for that. I'm coming to be a 4 time national champion. - Eva

Rock Music helps me to gain confidence and express myself :) - Elizest

I love Rock music! I think rock music makes you feel better and gives more energy for your good day ;) - Elizest

I loved this story! Even though I'm a fan of rap it was awesome to learn about the music! - Kane

This was so interesting!

I loved the ABBA at the end! - Amy

how were dinosaurs instinct - Abbas

I love music so much - Sonny

I think music makes you feel good because it has a beat - Bob

That was interesting - Louis

I love this video i didnt know music did that! - giselle

I like pop - ebony

cool - Jeff

This story is the best one i've seen so far! I LOVE MUSIC! My favorite song is Better when i'm dancin' by Meghan Trainer - alex

It was great because u had to rite a story about it. - Anneli

I think old music is not good because it is old and people don't like old music like other people do and the new music is better then old music - Wendy

I love music I totes agree - Amber

I love listening to music because it makes us feel happy and privileged that we have music here because in other countries don't have music.

- Olivia

I really like Michael Jackson's music - Tameka

I like songs like FRIENDS by Marshmello - aiva

Hello BTN,

I loved this Story. I found it really funny and really true! I love storys when Jack does it cause it makes me laugh lots.

I actually like pop because it has really good songs. I love music and I finally understand why I like it :)! Thanks for the great story!

Rarie - Rarie

#ilovemusic - cooper

That was a good video. I liked the "This is sad me. This is hopeful me. And this is heroic me"

That was funny!

TUT (it's meant to be a face) - chrissa

i have to write a report about music and this really helped me, i wrote 2 pages! - Kyarna

I liked this story because i liked that it explained about the chemical that gets released into your body. - kobie

The BTN story was really interesting because I found out why we like music so much. - A.U

Woah, thatâs... cool. I always did wonder why I like music. - Ash

that was great - boo

I love it - Boo

I like music because it has a good beat. It makes me feel happy. - Be

My favourite music is hip hop. I prefer the beats it makes it easier to dance to.

- jake

Music is so wonderful and I think it is a cure to anything. I totally agree with you that music can change your mood from angry to peaceful which i think is truly amazing!! I love music and i even play lots of it myself!

- Tiana

I like music it makes me dance and I think music is delightful #music4life - Jackson

I have always wondered why I like music. It is fascinating and I did not know. Anyway BTN keep doing interesting topics. - Lucy

I love music! i think that music makes you feel better when you are sad. I also think that your facts were very cool and interesting and I liked the music that you put in the news story. - Eliza

I believe that music helps let your emotions run wild. Music can help you more then you think, that's why i think music is amazing because it makes you feel a lot better!!! - keelie

Very interesting story. Always thought of how music entertains us. Now I know. Personally my favorite type of Music is EDM. It relaxes me and makes me happy. - Beau

I fully agree with this topic because whenever I hear music I start dancing and singing. I am mostly interested in POP I don't really connect with jazz. Rock and heavy mental is way too messy and loud and like they say 'it's a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll' - Kendi

I am so glad that listening to music is healthy for our brains, it is also really good to dance to!! I have always wanted to find out if music was good for us and now I know. - Maya