🎙️ Songs That Don’t Suck – Episode 46
🎧 Stuck Song Syndrome, Wrecked Ships, and Metal That Still Shreds
We’re closing in on the end of Season One, and Mark’s got everything from involuntary musical memories to unexpected bangers from both rising and legendary artists. Also, if you’ve ever randomly had a Jackson 5 song looping in your brain for days, you’re not alone—and there’s a (sort of) scientific explanation.
From earworms to metal mayhem, this episode’s got range.
🧠 Earworms: Why Is “The Love You Save” in My Brain?
We’re diving deep into the phenomenon of stuck song syndrome, aka earworms, aka involuntary musical imagery.
Some research-backed facts:
- Could be tied to emotions, memory formation, or repetition
- High levels of neuroticism, anxiety, or PTSD = more frequent earworms
- Even people who don’t love music still get them 🤯
🧪 Weird tips to break the loop:
- Chew gum to disrupt your brain’s rhythm
- Do a crossword or Sudoku
- Blast the song full-volume to scratch the itch 🎶
Mark’s latest victim? The Love You Save by the Jackson Five—mysterious, catchy, and impossible to ignore.
Tag your weirdest earworms on social media and join the unintentional jukebox club.
🎻 Brain-Bending Cover:
“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” – Punch Brothers
In honor of the ship’s tragic anniversary, Mark highlights this Celtic-bluegrass take on Gordon Lightfoot’s classic.
- Gorgeous string work
- Haunting vocal harmonies
- A deeper emotional pull than the original (yeah, we said it)
Big thanks to Clayton for the rec during a disc golf session 🥏
🔥 New Songs That Don’t Suck – Week 46
1. “Mozart in My Mind” – Slim Dan
‘90s alt-rock energy with indie lo-fi charm.
- Feels like early Beck, maybe Neutral Milk Hotel, maybe Nada Surf?
- Acoustic-driven, layered vocals, subtle turntable scratches
- Chill and catchy, in a “where-have-I-heard-this-before” way
🎯 If you figure out what band it reminds Mark of, let him know before he loses it.
2. “Waves” – Daytime TV
Complex, syncopated alt-pop that grabs your ears and doesn’t let go.
- Drums and vocals weave in and out of each other with rhythmic tension
- Verse 2’s drumwork = chef’s kiss
- Catchy chorus that feels like a montage moment from an ‘80s film
Impeccable production. Think modern nostalgia.
3. “Young in America” – Barnes Courtney
Finally, a Barnes Courtney song that clicks with Mark—and it’s a gem.
- Killers-esque arena rock vibe
- Gravelly, emotive vocals
- Nostalgic yet fresh
Lyrics are 🔥 and scream road trip anthem. This might be your new favorite discovery.
4. “Panic Attack” – Judas Priest
Rob Halford is 72 and still kicking harder than artists half his age.
- Total Painkiller-era energy
- Riffs. Solos. Drums. VOCALS.
- Metal fans, stop sleeping. This is the real deal.
Scott Travis on drums drives this beast like a freight train. Horns up. 🔥
🚨 Season Finale Approaching
Only a few episodes left in Season One. Mark’s working on something special for the wrap-up—don’t miss it.
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🎶 Until next week—keep searching for and listening to songs that don’t suck.
