Why are the same musical compositions able to capture our ears, make our hearts beat to the beat and make us want to put the track on repeat again and again? The phenomenon of “starting looped playback” is familiar to every music lover: a favorite song is played dozens of times in a row, and we never get tired of it. In this article we will analyze the main reasons that force people to listen to the same track in a circle, based on psychological, neurophysiological and socio-cultural aspects.

1. Psychological reasons

1.1. Feeling of comfort and familiarity

Re-listening gives a feeling of security. A new composition sometimes causes uncertainty: what are its lyrics, melody, mood? A familiar song relieves stress, creates comfort and allows you to completely relax.

• Predictability: the brain “knows” in advance what will happen next, which reduces the load on cognitive processes.
• Associative memory: Every song you listen to holds memories of people, places, situations.
• Emotional connection: the track is associated with a certain mood - joy, sadness or inspiration.

1.2. Emotional regulation

Music is a powerful regulator of our feelings. We use our favorite songs to:

• Cheer up: dance or upbeat tracks turn sadness into a smile.
• Calm down: Slow melodies relieve anxiety and help you concentrate.
• Immerse yourself in memories: familiar melodies bring you back to pleasant moments.

Therefore, having discovered “our” track, we automatically play it again and again in order to maintain or strengthen the desired emotional state.

2. Neurophysiological mechanisms

2.1. The dopamine system and “micro-happiness”

Every time you listen to a melody you like, dopamine is released in the brain, a neurotransmitter responsible for feeling of pleasure . Playing a track repeatedly triggers a ripple effect of dopamine release:

• The first launch is an unexpected rise.
• Each subsequent listen is a confirmation of pleasure.
• Each cycle is a “microdose of happiness.”

As a result, a self-sustaining “dose” of pleasure is formed: dopamine tends to be produced again and again.

2.2. The "earworm" effect

Scientists call the constant “sticking” of a fragment of melody inside the head earworm . This phenomenon occurs due to:

• Simplicity of the musical motive.
• Bright, rhythmic repetitions.
• Connections with recent events (advertising, concert, social networks).

When a fragment gets “stuck” in our heads, we consciously fill it with a full track to “close” the incompleteness.

3. Socio-cultural factors

3.1. Trends and media

Many tracks go viral thanks to social networks and challenges. People listen to them in a circle to:

• Participate in the discussion: know the words and melody.
• Create your content: dance, film reactions, participate in flash mobs.
• Match the trend: to be “in the know” in your surroundings.

3.2. Group identity

Common musical preferences bring people together. Repeated listening to one track strengthens the feeling of belonging to a certain subculture or fan community. As a result:

• There is a reason to communicate with like-minded people.
• The style and aesthetics of the group are formed.
• Self-esteem increases due to “belonging” to the cultural mainstream.

4. Cognitive aspects and the phenomenon of novelty

On the one hand, people strive for new experiences, but on the other, the brain needs time to fully perceive and “digest” the composition. The first few listens help:

• Understand the structure of the track: verse, chorus, bridge.
• Memorize the text and harmonic transitions.
• Understand the emotional message and the author's idea.

After “phase immersion,” the desire to consolidate knowledge remains, so we listen to the track repeatedly, sometimes dozens of times.

Conclusion

Repeated listening to a favorite song is a complex phenomenon that combines psychology, neuroscience, and sociocultural factors. Familiarity and comfort, dopamine “waves” of pleasure, effect earworm , group trends and the cognitive phase of **digesting** the track - all this creates a powerful incentive to “put it on repeat” again and again. And while the music is playing, we feel alive, immersed in emotions and connected to the world around us. Happy listening!