Review: This is Your Brain on Music

This love affair with books brings to mind another love affair that my wife and I share; music. Music has appeared at significant moments in my life such that hearing a particular song again takes me on a instant trip back in time.

I recall driving to the Junior Naval Cadet drill team practice, struggling with the decision leave the team to devote my time to making the high school basketball team when the Rolling Stones came on the radio singing “You can’t always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you get what you need…” I did leave the drill team to play basketball.

I recall a time in college, the cross country team traveling on a bus ride to a meet in Plymouth, NH. It had been pouring rain since we left Worcester, MA. We were dreading running the course which was not known to be good in wet conditions. As we came over a crest on the highway, the rain slowed, the clouds gave way, the sun appeared and of course, on the radio, “I can see clearly now the sun has gone … it’s going to be a bright, bright sunshiny day.” The team did have a good race that day.

When I heard there was a new book: This is Your Brain on Music, The Science of Human Obsession by Daniel Levitin, I found the Amazon link and put it on my reading list. I read it over the course of several commutes via the train to Boston. Oddly, it held my attention such that I could not listen to music while reading it. Some books do that for me. They may not require my full attention but they attract it. This was one of those. This was also one book that I ended up marking more than any other I have read in the past several years. I marked books in school and then got away from this habit post college. Reading Tim Sanders’ Love is the Killer App brought this technique back into my life.

Daniel writes in the introduction:

“By better understanding what music is and where it comes from, we may be able to better understand our motives, fears, desires, memories and even communication in the broadest sense. Is music listening more along the lines of eating when you’re hungry, and thus satisfying an urge? Or is it more like seeing a beautiful sunset or getting a backrub, which triggers sensory pleasure systems in the brain? Why do people seem to get stuck in their musical tastes as they grow older and cease experimenting with new music? This is the story of how brains and music evolved --- what music can teach us about the brain, what the brain can teach us about music, and what both can teach us about ourselves”  (p12)

Daniel goes on to answer these questions and many others during the course of telling the story. A good story it is. The book does not read like a text book although there are chapters that I suspect could substitute for, or at least be referenced by, some music appreciation classes. But these chapters read better than a standard class presentation. There are chapters discussing pitch, timbre, rhythm, loudness and harmony. Sections on: Why we tap our feet? How we tap our feet differently than we snap our fingers? How mastery takes at least 10,000 hours? How a song (mostly a part of a song) gets stuck in our head playing again and again. There actually is a term for this phenomenon, it is called a ear worm.

These topics are all woven together in a very convincing manner. Daniel can tell a very good story. For example, he met and worked with John R Pierce who had been noted for his work while vice president of research at Bell Labs, NJ.

“I first met Pierce in 1990 when he was already eighty and was giving lectures on psychoacoustics at Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics (CCRMA) (Stanford). Several years later, after I had earned my Ph.D. and moved back to Stanford, we became friends and would go out to dinner every night and discuss research. He once asked me to explain rock and roll music to him, something he had never paid attention to and didn’t understand. He knew about my previous career in the music business, and asked if I could come over for dinner one night and play six songs that captured all that was important to know about rock and roll. Six songs to capture all of rock and roll?  I wasn’t sure I could come up with six songs to capture the Beatles, let alone all of rock and roll. The night before he called to tell me that had heard Elvis Presley, so I did not need to cover that.

Here’s what I brought to dinner:
1.    “Long Tall Sally” – Little Richard
2.    “Roll Over Beethoven” – The Beatles
3.    “All along the Watchtower” – Jimi Hendrix
4.    “Wonderful Tonight” – Eric Clapton
5.    “Little Red Corvette” – Prince
6.    “Anarchy in the U.K.” - the Sex Pistols
“ (p49)

Can you image the discussion at that dinner? What six songs would you have come up with?

Anyway, Daniel weaves stories like this one in with research on how the brain processes music in such a way that is immediately readable. I am listening to Phil Collins and his signature primal beat while I write this. I have a greater appreciation and understanding of the workings within my brain that makes the music so attractive and compelling. Ah yes:

“Why would music be needed to show fitness? Primates are highly social, living in groups, forming complex long-term relationships that involve social strategies. Hominid courtship was probably a long-term affair. Music, particularly memorable music, would insinuate itself into the mind of a potential mate, leading her to think about her suitor even when he was out on a long hunt, and predisposing her towards him when he returned. The multiple reinforcing cues of a good song --- rhythm, melody, contour --- cause music to stick in our heads. That is the reason that many ancient myths, epics, and even the Old Testament were set to music in preparation for being passed down by oral tradition across the generations. As a tool for activation of specific thoughts, music is not as good as language. As a tool for arousing feelings and emotions, music is better than language. The combination of the two --- as best exemplified in a love song --- is the best courtship display of all.”  (p261)

I have learned why I have a fondness for Neil Diamond songs (one) (two). Why the fondness? The songs were present when I was in my most formative stage of development (in my teens).

Having read, Your Brain on Music, I have more reasons to continue to listen to music, to explore new music, and not just stick to my favorites. I want to keep my neurons firing.

If you have any interest in music, I think this should be a book on your MUST READ list.

I look forward to discussing this book and the role music plays in your life.

Have you gotten a part of a song stuck in your head? (Now at least you know it is called an ear worm.)

Do you have musical flashbacks?

I have written about other quotations from this book and the collection of these can be found here.

When not lost in a song, Steve Sherlock is your collaboration teammate who believes commencement begins everyday.

Comments

[Jodee Bock]

I, too, am a big fan of music. I have a radio show each Sunday on a college station here in Fargo, and each week I have a theme and then search for music to go along with that theme, so I've stumbled across some amazing songs which have messages in them I never realized when I was just listening passively. I've also had similar experiences with the right song at the right time, including a time when I was struggling with knowing whether my business was going to succeed or not - I couldn't sleep and it was just about time to get up, but the radio hadn't come on yet, even though I was awake. Just when I was feeling most agitated, the radio came on - and the song was The Beatles "Let It Be." The business is thriving and things are wonderful ... and I thank the Beatles for being there at the right time for me! Thanks for the book referral, too!

[Steve Sherlock]

Jodee, thanks for the story. It is a good one. "Let it be" is a good song for several times in ones daily life.

[Karen Wallace]

Steve, Well! You've certainly convinced me that this book should be added to my reading list.

At school, I was the one whose part-time job was playing the piano for a gym-dance club, rather than serving a Maccas or nightfilling at the local supermarket like the rest of my friends.

For me, music was - and still is - a huge part of my life, but I cannot imagine ever getting stuck in my musical tastes as I get older... can you?

[Steve Sherlock]

Karen, getting 'stuck' as in the ear worm, yes. Getting 'stuck' as in listening to only one type of music, no.

Music has many parallels to the blogosphere, there is so much to explore even if we spent all our life exploring, would we cover it all?

Maybe that's why the ending is usually, "... and the band played on..."

[Verna Wilder]

This sounds like a wonderful book, Steve. The flip side to hearing music that evokes feelings of love is hearing music that evokes sadness and pain. Vivaldi's Four Seasons are forever lost to me because I listened to this music a lot during a very difficult time in my life. I've tried many times over the last 25 years to listen to Vivaldi, hoping the painful association would have passed. It hasn't. But I can turn to the Beatles (Sgt. Pepper) and immediately feel the joy I felt 40 years ago right before my first daughter was born when a neighbor blasted this music over and over and I never tired of it.

Thank you for a thoughtful review of a book I look forward to reading.

[Steve Sherlock]

Verna, I should have been more careful to phrase that music evokes memories period. It is absolutely correct that they can also be painful ones. I try to forget the painful ones of my own. I am sorry that the Four Season is so painful. I am glad that Sgt Pepper brings joy. Long live Sgt Pepper!

Maybe reading the book will bring out something that will resolve the Vivaldi problem? At least, there is hope that it will be resolved for you one day.

I look forward to finding out what happens after you read it.

[tim]

Great review Steve. People wonder why I like 80's music. It's because it was the music of my adolescence.

One thing that I find interesting is that I continue to like similar musical genres that I adopted as a teenager (alternative, rock type music). Even though bands come and go, I still have an affinity for that type of music.

One of the ways that I discover new music is through Pandora (pandora.com). Just put in a band, song, or artist's name and it will create a music station built around that particular style of music. A wonderful internet gem!

[Steve Sherlock]

Tim, thanks for sharing that. I have not used Pandora yet but I have heard that it is good to find music similar to what you do like. It used to be you would visit the record store and chat it up with the clerk, or in talking amongst friends find out about what they were listening to. The circle was not going to stray too far off the path though. It is more likely to do that today.

[Chris Owen]

Ah yes Steve! We're back talking music again. It never ceases to amaze me how often our interests and preferences align. Somehow though I wonder if reading a book about music might somehow detract from the experience of music, but clearly not from what you're saying in your review!

[Steve Sherlock]

Chris,

Chris, isn't that amazing! You're half way around the world from me (give or take a little here and there) and yet we do connect!

Reading this book did detract from experiencing music while I was in the act of reading the book itself. It has enhanced the overall experience of music however and that has been wonderful.

[Wayne Hurlbert]

This book sounds (pun intended) like a great book for music lovers and for students of popular culture and its effects on people. I listen to Pandora as well. I like to add many unusual performers, from many widely disparate genres, and let the music discoveries happen from that process.

[Greg Balanko-Dickson]

I am sitting here listening to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and feel so emotional... for many years I felt a tug to return to the music of my youth, which I ignored far to long.

It was November 2004 that I got an iPod for Christmas. I now have over 3,500 songs on my iPod.

I am sitting here realizing that my soul and spirit was reawakened by music. I also now understand why I have been so prolific with my writing since, music also reawakened my passion and creativity.

Steve, thank you so much for sharing this book review. Right now I am listening to 'Takin' Care of Business by Bachman Turner Overdrive

Unreal, I am so blown away that I totally missed the impact that music has on my life. Please excuse the gushing, adjectives, and joy, guess we have more in common... in addition to books and joyful, jubilant learning we now have music.

Thanks for putting yourself out there Steve.

[Steve Sherlock]

"Taking Care of Business"... how appropriate Greg. Your comment leaves me almost speechless, and that from someone who can add 2 cents to most discussions :-)

The internet is touted to be a great conversation vehicle, and via text it has been. Audio has helped to advance the discussion. Video is coming. Music has been enabled via the iPod and streaming. I want more.

I also want the capability to dance. Then I think we will be able share more in the fullness of all that is good in humanity.

[Karen Wallace]

Wow, Greg - couldn't help but jump in here after that comment (apart from the amazing feat of leaving Steve 'almost speechless':)

"..music has awakened my passion and creativity.." that is so fantastic! As writers, as creative souls, we need the uplifting, soul touching affect that music has on us more than ever in these days of sensory overload. I am awed that you recognised this, and hope you continue to explore the emotional and spiritual benefits that great music can have on us.

I, for one, would never be without it. Steve - I'll join you in that dance! I'm curious about how/what the 'more' that you want would be like?? Do you have a vision?

[Steve Sherlock]

Wayne, I had heard of but not used Pandora so it is on my "to do" to go and explore. Expanding ones horizons enables growth and learning. Music is certainly a good vehicle for this.

I think as we come to understand more of what we have in common with each other, then the differences will, on the one hand, be less, and more importantly, be respected for what they can bring to the table that we would otherwise not have.

This is part of the vision Karen. It is not fully painted/developed in my mind yet. Through the explorations and conversations in this wonderful blogosphere, it is gradually coming together. The key part is it is not "my" vision, it is a vision I think being developed by all those in the conversation.

Pure collaboration fun.

The 'power of we'.

[Robert Orpen]

Since ready the first 60 pages I no longer turn my car radio to talk radio which is almost always negitive.
I have a request from all of you. I have belong to health club for years and the music is getting more and more troubling.
Hard Rock and Rap please tell me the physiological effect it has with the pump iron group at the gyms. I'm now 66 and have to push my self to work out and somedays I'm so stressed with the music I leave. This is not only in my city, Wilmington, NC . I had a time with the YMCA at my summer home on Cape Cod. This one says we don't control, it ,policy, some many reasons. I can't believe this kind of music is good for people that don't take drugs. I would love to have your import on this. rorpen@ec.rr.com Robert

[Steve Sherlock]

Robert, I would go with "content in context" as the key. While the beat of rock and rap maybe good to help with the rhythm of an exercise, if the text (message) is unwholesome, then the total effect I think would be counterproductive. If this is waht you are driving at, then I agree with you. It would be better to have the same rock/rap music (i.e. sound) and substitute some inspirational text (even if it is repetitive, akin to a mantra), then the mind and body would be at least working together.