Why does a song sometimes get stuck in our heads – and what precisely makes an earworm?

The series in which readers answer other readers’ questions explores an ancient, vexed musical conundrum
  
  

A still from the video of Baby Shark, the South Korean entertainment company Pinkfong’s epically popular children’s song, on YouTube. Two young boys singing, raising their arms, inside lifeguard rings, against a background of cartoon sharks
A still from the video of Baby Shark, the South Korean entertainment company Pinkfong’s epically popular 2016 children’s song, on YouTube. Photograph: YouTube/Pinkfong

I know a song that’ll get on your nerves, get on your nerves, get on your nerves. I know a so … you get the gist! Why does a song sometimes get stuck in our heads? (And good luck stopping this one now!) Laura Ashton, Haslemere, Surrey

Post your answers (and new questions) below or send them to nq@theguardian.com. A selection will be published next Sunday.


 

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