How do we remember every word to songs we haven't listened to in years?

Question

Yet we can't remember what we had for lunch 2 days ago? Even if I haven't heard the song in 5, 10 or more years, I can sing right along as if I heard it yesterday. But remembering details from a conversation last week might already be gone. Why is this?

Answer 1

It's your sub-consious memory at work.

Every single thing that you experience from every one of your senses is stored in your brain, just as files are stored on your hard-drive. The trick is accessing these memories when you need them. You may have seen the commercials or the books that promise to improve your memory. Some of these are garbage but some aren't. These people have found ways to make accessing memories more easily and accurately.

Your example of knowing the lyrics as the song is played is a good one. Have you noticed how you can't remember that same song nearly as well if the song isn't actually playing? When you are trying to recall the song, without the song playing, you are relying fully on your consious memory of the song. When the song is playing, you don't even have to think very hard to remember the lyrics, because your sub-consious memory is accessing them.

Answer 2

Short term memory is often not functioning well because there are so many distractions to remembering unimportant details. Our brain sifts through data input and arbitrarily chooses what to remember and what not. As we get older, our brains get lazy about remembering recent events. It's all there - we just don't want or need to remember the details.

Long-term memory, however, occupies a different area in our brain and when accessed can come up with the most finite details. However, it is also selective. You might find that someone will relate something to you that you have completely forgotten. That is also a weird sensation because you may remember the general setting for the event, but not remember that particular detail.

Some of the memories that seem to be most deeply engraved in our brains are scents. Olfactory memory can conjure up exquisite detail and melancholy. It's like you get transported back in time for a split second.

Aural memory is a close second. Certain combinations of sounds and musical notes - and therefore lyrics - can be lodged with great accuracy for instant retrieval. I can still sing some of the old radio and TV commercials from my early childhood with amazing accuracy, for example.

The elderly can tell you all about their childhood, but forget that they can't drive anymore because their license expired years ago. That's why it's best to make sure grandma doesn't have the keys to the Hudson she thinks is in her garage.

Answer 3

music sticks really well above other things in memory. my guess would be that it's because it combines words that can be heard, and different tones and instruments all playing at the same time. it stimulates the brain with it's complexity. whereas 2 days ago's lunch is not as stimulating and routine. think about it: you eat lunch over and over again, so why remember what it is? but if you hear really good music, it's different. it's not routine and the conforming to a pattern.

or you could have short-term memory problems. i never remember what i ate, even a few hours after eating it. it's just not important enough.

Answer 4

Music is food for the soul, especially if you have shared special memories during that time frame. Replaying an old piece of music always brings back memories. “Please forgive me” by Bryan Adams always makes my eyes moist. Food on the other hand is a bodily need and therefore we don’t think of it much even though we repeat this process continuously. Emotions provoke our memories to register in our mind.

Answer 5

That very thought occurred to me yesterday. One of the most inane songs I ever heard was "How much is that doggie in the window?" I hated it decades ago and still remember every stupid word!

Answer 6

The human memory is a amazing thing

check out the link!

i wish i could say we all do..but i often forget
and that relates to how large your appetite for music is...

Answer 7

repetition. simply put. i taught a course in memory and that's the deal. singing that song a million times and what we call "memory tricks" which is basically the melody.

Answer 8

The power of music.

Answer 9

because music is like seeing a bunch of gay butterflies trying to reproduce, trust me, you'll never forget it

Answer 10

I have no recollection