When you don't know the real words to a song, do you still sing along in make believe syllables?

Question

Especially Pearl Jam songs.

Answer 1

This actually has a biological psychological explanantion. The part of the brain responsible for remembering and processing musical information is called the audial cortex. When we listen to a song the cortex makes a script of the music a bit like a CD player copying a disc. This information ensures that we recognise and remember songs that we like. Some songs,particularly songs with catchy, repetitive tunes are remembered better than others.
However the research shows that the brain remembers music and tunes better than audio input such as speech. So when a song is played, the brain uses the music to coax the lyrics back to memory. When this is impaired, where the lyrics may be difficult to remember, non-repetitive (as these are more difficult to remember than one that follows a pattern) the brain then compensates by these make believe syllables, in order to fill in the gaps. For example I find the words of Joy Division's Love Will Tear Us Apart Difficult, as the lyrics of this particular song are irregularly patterned, yet I could easily remember the pattern of the lyrics. The only bit I can properly remember is the chorus which is repetitive and does follow a pattern.
Scientists have identified a phenomena known a earworms. This is where a particular song gets stuck in the mind of the person, repeating itself unconsciously in their mind, often for hours on end. This can be rectified with an eraser song, where the person thinks about the earworm song, then unconsciously repeats the eraser song. This then creates a clash and the earworm song is hopefully then forgotten.

Answer 2

Yep I do, I don't know any Pearl Jam songs offhand so I wouldn' know if I did it especially with Pearl Jam songs.

Answer 3

ya but then once you really know the words its hard to not sing your version. you keep wanting to say what you thought the words were. however, if you like the band enough to go to a show you have to know the words, cause otherwise your one of thooose people. everyone says pj songs are hard to interpret but i dont get that, i can understand him just fine, maybe eddies just singing to me :)

Answer 4

Yes, I make up my own words and try to get them in fit - it's great fun and I pretend I'm singing live at MY concert in front of thousands - sad really - lol!

Answer 5

Of course. Or sing real words that it sounds like.

Answer 6

yes tot he making up words, no to the pearl jam.

Answer 7

Yep

Answer 8

of course! who doesnt! and a good word to say silently is watermelon. EX: wade in the water = wa ter mel on

Answer 9

Of course yes!

Answer 10

i don't use syllables. i'm a big geek and i sing "something, something, something" until i know the words again. it makes my boyfriend laugh.