Music, it can move people to do great things. Music has inspired armies to conquer the world. Music has inspired lovers to conquer their hearts. Music has inspired countless millions of people to go out of their minds when they get a song stuck between their ears.

You know the kind of songs I am speaking of. They are called "earworms". They get that name because they bore into your consciousness and won't let you think about anything but their insipid melody.

I won't mention any specific titles because "earworms" are like measles. Once you get the virus spreading it's almost impossible to stop. Since It's a Small World After All I wouldn't want to affect your Gangnam Style by asking Who Let the Dogs Out. If you click the links then it's your own darn fault.

According to Dr. Ira Hyman, a music psychologist at Western Washington University, when a song gets stuck in your head it has basically taken over your working memory. In order to move the song out of your head you need to focus on another activity.

That might be a game like Sudoku or a video game. Here's the trick the game can't be too easy or too hard. If it is, your mind won't be able to really focus enough to chase the earworm away.

It seems like a long way to go to get some relief from something that is supposed to be entertaining but we've all been there before.

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