Heavy snow and difficult travel expected again, heaviest snow in southern Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

What’s your favorite song of the summer? Whether it’s by Harry Styles, Beyoncé or Kate Bush, your song of the summer sets the vibe for the season, puts you in a great mood and gets you ready for whatever the day has in store.

But what is happening in our brains when we hear our favorite songs? Why do certain songs help us focus, get us energized, or make us calm and relaxed? And how can music be a tool for improving our wellness and mental health? 

Guest host Catharine Richert talked with a neuroscientist and a music therapist about the link between music and wellness, and how our favorite songs affect our brains and our mental health. And we heard from The Current’s music director Jade about her picks for the song of the summer.

Arts and Culture

Music

Health

Mental Health

Shows

MPR News with Angela Davis

Host

Author

Hearing your favorite song can put you in a great mood and get you ready for your day. But what is happening in your brain when you listen to music? Guest host Catharine Richert spoke about the healing power of our favorite songs, and how music is connected to mental health.

MPR News with Angela Davis - What’s your favorite song of the summer? Whether it’s by Harry Styles, Beyoncé or Kate Bush, your song of the summer sets the vibe for the season, puts you in a great mood and gets you ready for whatever the day has in store.

But what is happening in our brains when we hear our favorite songs? Why do certain songs help us focus, get us energized, or make us calm and relaxed? And how can music be a tool for improving our wellness and mental health?

Guest host Catharine Richert talks with a neuroscientist and a music therapist about the link between music and wellness, and how our favorite songs affect our brains and our mental health. And we hear from The Current’s music director Jade about her picks for the song of the summer.

MPR News with Angela Davis - What happens in our brains when we hear our favorite songs?

A record player on a side table in a home

What happens in our brains when we hear our favorite songs

Go Deeper.

Like this?