Which song is stuck in your head right now?
Read this to find out why music is so satisfying to the human brain.
INTRO
Music is everywhere in our modern lives, and most of us can not imagine a day without it. In the morning, many people start their routine with a favorite song to feel more awake and positive. During a busy day of work or study, soft background music helps some people concentrate better, while others prefer complete silence. In the evening, relaxing melodies or rhythms can change our mood after a long day and help us feel more calm in an instant. No matter where we are, music connects us to our emotions and makes ordinary moments special
Different cultures have their own special ways of using music for their special days or traditions . In Mexico, mariachi bands bring joy to celebrations like birthdays and social events with their lively instruments. Around the world, people dance to salsa in Latin America and the Caribbean, some others enjoy classical concerts in Europe, or listen to K-pop in Asia with great excitement in a concert . These styles show how music tells stories about history, traditions, and feelings. It is interesting to see how a simple melody can make people from different places smile or even cry altogether.
I remember when I was younger, I used to listen to the same NüMetal CDs every time I traveled by bus to school. Those songs made my trip feel shorter and more fun. Now, as an adult, music still helps me relax or remember good times. Sometimes, a song from many years ago suddenly plays, and all the memories come back like a movie in my mind. This shows how powerful music can be — it keeps our past present in our minds and gives us comfort.
Nowadays, the way we listen to music has changed, with apps and streaming services, we have millions of songs and albums at the touch of our fingertips. We can discover new artists easily or go back to enjoy the oldies. However, live music has a different magic. Going to a concert or a small café with a guitarist creates a special energy that you cannot feel through headphones. Sharing that experience with friends, family or even strangers makes it even better and creates new core memories.
Music also brings people together in difficult times. During festivals, sport events or family gatherings, songs help express some feelings that words sometimes cannot. It builds community and reminds us that we are not alone. In a busy world full of stress, taking a few minutes to listen to our favorite track can be like a small delightful gift to ourselves.
When we listen to something we enjoy, our brains release something called dopamine — the “reward” chemical that creates feelings of pleasure, motivation, and even euphoria, much like the rush from the newest song of your favorite artist. Upbeat tempo music often boosts endorphins, giving us the extra energy for starting the day or a good exercising session. Calmer, slower melodies tend to increase serotonin, which stabilizes mood and promotes relaxation, while also elevating oxytocin — the “bonding hormone” that brings feelings of connection and trust during shared moments like concerts or events. This explains why a single song can instantly reduce stress, transport us back to happy memories or make us wake up from our sofas and just start dancing in our living rooms!
What about you? Do you have a song that always makes you happy? Or maybe one that helps you when you feel tired or discouraged? Music is a universal language that everyone understands. At EnglishSmart we love hearing about the things that make your life brighter, so feel free to share your thoughts.
Exercise 1: Reading Comprehension
Read the text and choose the best answer (A, B, or C) for each question.
- Why do many people play a favorite song in the morning?
A) To feel more awake and positive B) To concentrate better at work C) To remember good times from the past - According to the text, what is special about mariachi bands in Mexico?
A) They are only played in small cafés B) They bring joy to celebrations like birthdays and weddings C) They help people concentrate during study time - What happened when the writer was younger during bus trips?
A) The songs made the trip feel longer B) Listening to the same CDs made the trip shorter and more fun C) He preferred complete silence on the bus - What does the writer say about live music compared to music through headphones?
A) It has no special energy B) It creates a special energy that you cannot feel through headphones C) It is only good for discovering new artists - In difficult times, how does music help people according to the text?
A) It makes people feel more stressed B) It helps express feelings that words sometimes cannot C) It stops people from going to festivals
Exercise 2: Vocabulary (B1) – Choose the correct word
Complete each sentence with the best word from the box. There are more words than you need.
Word box: upbeat • melody • fingertips • concentrate • powerful • routine • silence • memories • community • track
- I start my morning __________ with coffee and some exercise.
- Some students need soft music to __________ better when they study.
- That song has a very beautiful __________ that makes me feel calm.
- With streaming apps, we have millions of songs at our __________.
- Music is a very __________ way to bring back old __________ from many years ago.
Exercise 3: Grammar – Past Simple vs. Used to (B1)
Use Past Simple and “used to”. Complete the sentences with the correct form of the verb in brackets. Use Past Simple or used to.
- When I was a child, I __________ (listen) to the same cassette every evening.
- Yesterday evening, relaxing music really __________ (help) me feel calm after work.
- In the past, people __________ (not have) streaming services, so they bought CDs.
- Last weekend, we __________ (go) to a concert and it __________ (be) amazing!
- My grandfather __________ (play) the guitar every weekend when he was younger.
Enjoy!
By Victor Arreola.