Listening to a favorite song associated with earlier periods in our lives can result in a moment of nostalgia that almost feels like traveling back in time. But what exactly gives music this powerful effect on our memory?
A recent study from the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, has uncovered an intriguing clue regarding the link between music and how memory works.
Researchers at Waterloo’s Department of Psychology conducted a study to determine whether song lyrics alone could trigger personal memories, or if a fully produced song was necessary. Their findings showed that full songs, complete with melody, rhythm, and production, were more effective than spoken lyrics at sparking vivid, emotionally rich memories.
“We found songs were more effective and often brought back personal memories from the time when the song was popular,” said Dr. Myra Fernandes, professor of psychology at the University of Waterloo. “Music helps us remember by connecting memories to a certain period in our lives.”
With a total of 84 participants in the study, the team at the University of Waterloo presented each person with clips of popular songs they would have known between 2017 and 2020, along with a recording of the spoken word version of the lyrics. Participants were then asked to take note of personal memories that came to mind and describe the emotions associated with them, and then record how quickly the memories were triggered.
Their analysis revealed that fully produced songs created a type of temporal landmark or “timestamp” in the mind that helped the brain target autobiographical memories. The outcome also noted that the memories were often tied to the time period when the song was most popular in the person’s life, offering intriguing insights into how music helps people accomplish something almost akin to mental time-travel.
The Canadian researchers also found that the emotional tone of the song played a big role. Upbeat, positive tracks were more likely to bring up positive memories, enhancing the nostalgia for the person. Outside of memory recall, songs often create a strong sensation of “reliving” past moments, which researchers say is important for older adults or individuals with memory impairments.
In the past, separate studies involving individuals struggling with subtypes or variants of Alzheimer’s have revealed that listening to music helps them target core memories.
“Remarkably, song cues also led to stronger feelings of re-living or re-experiencing an event,” Fernandes explained. “And this is particularly relevant for older adults who may have difficulty spontaneously recreating past events from their lives.”
The recent research marks a notable first formal study involving how songs evoke such detailed personal memories, along with how memory triggers them.
The new findings could have therapeutic implications, especially for individuals suffering from the effects of progressive neurodegenerative disorders. Recommendations involving personalized song playlists from a patient’s youth could help improve well-being and overall care, while also assisting patients in triggering past memories using music as a mental cue.
The team’s study was published in the journal Memory & Cognition.
Chrissy Newton is a PR professional and founder of VOCAB Communications. She currently appears on The Discovery Channel and Max and hosts the Rebelliously Curious podcast, which can be found on YouTube and on all audio podcast streaming platforms. Follow her on X: @ChrissyNewton, Instagram: @BeingChrissyNewton, and chrissynewton.com.