15 votes

What are some earworms whose catchiness hasn't worn off for you over time?

Posted by kfwyre
Tags: ask.survey

A lot of catchy music is instantly magnetic but then tends to lose its appeal over time and repeated listens. I'm curious to find out what are some catchy songs that haven't gone through this decay for you, especially over the course of years.

What are some earworms with staying power? What are those songs for you that are still hopelessly, irresistibly catchy, even after you've heard them countless times already?

To be clear, this is purely individual, so I'm not looking for a list of like, "the best pop songs of all time". I mostly just want to know your experiences and choices for songs that you seemingly can't ever get out of your head.

19 comments

  1. [2]
    sigma
    Link
    Im going to be the normie pop guy here and say Carly Rae Jepsen. Call Me Maybe still smacks. Emotion still smacks. Emotion Side B still smacks.

    Im going to be the normie pop guy here and say Carly Rae Jepsen.

    Call Me Maybe still smacks. Emotion still smacks. Emotion Side B still smacks.

    9 votes
    1. kfwyre
      Link Parent
      No judgment here! I almost included a CRJ song but then got stumped on which one to choose.

      No judgment here! I almost included a CRJ song but then got stumped on which one to choose.

      2 votes
  2. [4]
    onyxleopard
    (edited )
    Link
    Dolly Song (Ievan polkka) Tetris theme Appalachian Spring Seven Nation Army Paint it Black (Westworld s1 version) I’ll Fly Away
    7 votes
    1. [2]
      Amarok
      Link Parent
      The Lemmings OST popped in to my head as soon as you mentioned Tetris. That's still on my list for best all time game soundtracks. It only got better with age. <3

      The Lemmings OST popped in to my head as soon as you mentioned Tetris. That's still on my list for best all time game soundtracks. It only got better with age. <3

      4 votes
      1. skybrian
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        On the subject of 80's video game music, here are my favorite remixes from Overclocked: Lemmings 'DABOMB' Lemmings 'Let's Go Dance' 'Lounge Lemmings' Outrun: Passing Breeze (loungesuite) Here's...

        On the subject of 80's video game music, here are my favorite remixes from Overclocked:

        Here's another Outrun arrangement I like:

        And here's a remix of a MIDI file I found somewhere in 2004 (when I was fooling around with GarageBand) of an obscure '80's game called Pengo.

        Someday I want to find a good remix of the M.U.L.E. theme.

        1 vote
    2. skybrian
      Link Parent
      That version of Ievan polkka is blocked for me, but there are many more. Here's one. I play a simplified version on accordion.

      That version of Ievan polkka is blocked for me, but there are many more. Here's one. I play a simplified version on accordion.

      2 votes
  3. Amarok
    (edited )
    Link
    Ah hell. I'd file the entire album Flood by They Might Be Giants under that heading. Three decades later I still known every inch of those songs. Whistling in the Dark sails through my head...

    Ah hell. I'd file the entire album Flood by They Might Be Giants under that heading. Three decades later I still known every inch of those songs. Whistling in the Dark sails through my head sometimes when I least expect it.

    I was just listening to Lent by Autoheart. It's been bouncing around in my playlists since it made the l2t bestof in 2013. Something about the way that song builds is irresistible, almost posted that as one of my streaming links today.

    Music is tricky even if you know your tastes and how to listen. Sometimes albums you give a meh pass to will surprise and addict you later. Other tracks you love wear out like old shoes. I can't find any pattern in the how/why of my own favorites.

    Going back through some of my playlists, here are some others that still lurk in my head from time to time despite having heard them over and over again.

    I can probably dig up more but that's enough for now. :P

    6 votes
  4. [2]
    kfwyre
    Link
    Here are a couple of my choices: Roxette's "The Look" (1988) This was my inspiration for this thread. I think I've had this song stuck in my head for decades at this point. I still enjoy it every...

    Here are a couple of my choices:

    This was my inspiration for this thread. I think I've had this song stuck in my head for decades at this point. I still enjoy it every time I hear it, and the "na-na-na-na-na" section at the end is immensely satisfying.

    While the chorus to this is undeniably solid, I think it's the build and release in the second half of the song that gives this one staying power.

    The catchiest song of all time? Quite possibly. This one is somewhat infamous between me and my husband. I listened to it one day, and the next I got a text from him at work asking "What's that song you were listening to that goes like 'doot-doo-doo cat dragged in?' I CAN'T GET IT OUT OF MY HEAD."

    5 votes
    1. Sir_Shakes
      Link Parent
      Water Fountain was really cool. The aesthetic of the music video reminds me of Don't Hug Me I'm Scared.

      Water Fountain was really cool. The aesthetic of the music video reminds me of Don't Hug Me I'm Scared.

      2 votes
  5. [2]
    skybrian
    Link
    Well I think Istanbul (not Constantinople) and Particle Man are right up there. But, for me, pretty much any song I've learned to play has been in my head for a while and could come back with the...

    Well I think Istanbul (not Constantinople) and Particle Man are right up there.

    But, for me, pretty much any song I've learned to play has been in my head for a while and could come back with the right prompt.

    5 votes
    1. kfwyre
      Link Parent
      I haven't thought about They Might Be Giants in a long time, but your comment as well as @Amarok's mention of Flood are spot on. They have so many infectious earworms.

      I haven't thought about They Might Be Giants in a long time, but your comment as well as @Amarok's mention of Flood are spot on. They have so many infectious earworms.

      3 votes
  7. [4]
    tomf
    Link
    The two that absolutely MURDER me are... Usha Uthup - Welcome Test Tube Baby Diana Decker - Kitty in the Basket One trick to get get rid of earworms is to go through 'Muffin Man' a few times. That...

    The two that absolutely MURDER me are...

    One trick to get get rid of earworms is to go through 'Muffin Man' a few times. That song will clear anything!

    3 votes
    1. [3]
      drawkcab
      Link Parent
      I've also heard to get rid of a stubborn song is to sing the Indiana Jones theme song in your head. :-)

      I've also heard to get rid of a stubborn song is to sing the Indiana Jones theme song in your head. :-)

      3 votes
      1. Amarok
        Link Parent
        I usually hum the old National Geographics theme song. You hear that and you'll know it the rest of your goddamn life, as Richard Jeni was fond of saying.

        I usually hum the old National Geographics theme song. You hear that and you'll know it the rest of your goddamn life, as Richard Jeni was fond of saying.

        2 votes
      2. tomf
        Link Parent
        oh god... that's perfect! I also use the Super Mario 2 music. I think the key is to transition away from something with lyrics to something purely instrumental or at least something that can be...

        oh god... that's perfect! I also use the Super Mario 2 music. I think the key is to transition away from something with lyrics to something purely instrumental or at least something that can be whistled.

        1 vote
  8. unknown user
    Link
    The Death and Resurrection Show, by Killing Joke Soviet Connection (GTA IV main theme), by Michael Hunter Growing Old is Getting Old, by Silversun Pickups The Little Things (Wanted OST), by Danny...
    2 votes
  9. krg
    Link
    a lot of early 2000s pop-rap stuff. especially one BUBBA SPARXXX.

    a lot of early 2000s pop-rap stuff. especially one BUBBA SPARXXX.

    1 vote