Nostalgia: Why Old Songs Hit Hard

Old songs have a way of speaking directly to us. Perhaps it’s discovering Owl City’s “Fireflies” on your iPod Touch and immediately being transported back in time to your first sleepover, or it might be hearing the opening to “Mr. Brightside.” Not only does old music sound familiar, but it also evokes a sense of home. However, even if these songs are rather corny or outdated, why do they still have such a powerful impact? It turns out that some songs have a lasting impact on us due to a combination of emotion and science. Music is more than simply music; it’s also about connection, emotion, and memory. Here’s why it seems like our old songs still have the best understanding of who we are.

The way our brains store old music is one of the main reasons it makes us feel anything. Memory and music are closely related. According to studies, when we listen to music, particularly when we’re feeling upset, our brains associate the sounds with the feelings we’re feeling. Therefore, your brain essentially “bookmarks” the music you were listening to during a difficult breakup, an incredible vacation, or even just walking home from school. For this reason, listening to a song years later might suddenly evoke strong feelings. It’s as if your brain unlocks a hidden file called “Summer 2018” or “Eighth Grade Dance,” and all of a sudden, you’re back there, experiencing the same emotions, tasting the same scents, and seeing the same sights. Not only does music help us recall events, but it also helps us recall how we felt. That has a lot of power. This explains why a simple beat or song can have a greater impact on you than a diary post with a thousand words. Even if you haven’t heard a song in years, it may still make you smile or cry because it reminds you of a different side of yourself. 

Songs that never go out of style have a reassuring quality in a world when everything seems to be changing all the time, including friendships, schools, fashion, and even technology. That one song you listened to often in middle school still has the same chorus, same build, and same beginning. It is secure, dependable, and familiar. We feel a strange sort of emotional stability because of that regularity. Playing an old tune might feel like putting everything else on hold when life feels chaotic or overwhelming. Every word, pulse, and every little drum fill is familiar to you. It’s a location where you may go to feel rooted, not simply a song. Although circumstances weren’t ideal at the time, recalling a simpler time might nonetheless be reassuring. While nostalgia indicates that we are recalling something significant, it does not imply that the past was better. And like a time capsule in our headphones, music helps us preserve those emotions.

Let’s not overlook the obvious: many older songs have a great sound. People still yell to sing Avril Lavigne in the vehicle or play Britney Spears at parties for a reason. There’s a reason why the production, the passion, and the melodies have endured. Older songs are often superior, not because they are technically more complex but rather because they were written with emotion in mind. For instance, songs from the early 2000s weren’t scared to be loud, dramatic, or enjoyable. The emotion is all there on the surface, whether it’s the pain in a Taylor Swift song or the pleasure of LMFAO. Even music from decades before our birth, such as classic rock, R&B from the 1990s, and synth-pop from the 1980s, still evokes strong emotions. Why? Because excellent music never goes out of style. We can feel something now if it made someone feel anything back then. To relate to a Journey song, you don’t have to be alive in the 1980s. All you need are feelings and ears.

The fact that nostalgia isn’t simply about us is another factor that contributes to its potency. Our favorite music can occasionally be connected to the individuals we care about. Perhaps your parents used to tidy on the weekends while listening to the 90s throwbacks. Perhaps you first heard emo music from your elder sister while you were still enjoying Disney soundtracks. Perhaps you used to receive weekly Spotify music recommendations from your friend. These days, when we hear those songs, it’s them, not simply the music we recall. Our connections get infused with music. It’s what we used to sing on sleepovers with friends, play on family vacations, and be sent by someone when we were going through a difficult time. It becomes a means of expressing, “Remember this? We were there together.”

Even if your past playlists are disorganized, awkward, or overly emotional, don’t be scared to listen to them again. Those songs were and still are a part of your story. So turn up the volume, start singing, and keep in mind that the best music feels like home, not just wonderful.