Paradoxically, people can be attracted to music that evokes sadness. Scrutiny of Billboard’s list of No. 1 songs from 1958 through 2013 reveals the dominant popularity of upbeat, happy music over sad, ...

When people get older, it’s common for them to really despise new music. However, this fussiness is only a nostalgic yearning for the music of one’s youth. You come of age to certain records, and they ...

Music can be therapeutic for listeners as well as the artists who create it. Musicians commonly turn to songwriting to deal with personal issues or as a way to process things they see in the world.

The first chords of a favorite ’70s, ’80s, or ’90s song instantly evoke memories of youth, friends, or first loves. According to research published in Slate, brain imaging studies show that our ...

A single melody can unlock a flood of memories, shaping our well-being in surprising ways. Imagine you’re on a long drive with your partner. Suddenly, your favorite song comes on the radio and it ...