Why we love music

Before I’d finished the first chapter two wonderful facts and interpretations had leaped out from the pages of Powell’s book. First, The Star Spangled Banner [shouldn’t it have a hyphen? Ed.] is sung to the tune of The Anacreontic Song, which is basically (second verse anyway) the 17th Century equivalent of Ian Dury’s Sex and Drugs and Rock ‘n Roll with its lines:

And, besides, I’ll instruct you like me to entwine
The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus’s vine

And then Powell refers to the “gentle poetry” of Motorhead’s Ace of Spades and the “gritty realism” of Donny Osmond’s Puppy Love. Now, that’s class in non-fictional writing I’d say.

I cry each night my tears for you
My tears are all in vain

vs.

If you like to gamble, I tell you I’m your man,
You win some, lose some, it’s all the same to me

Anyway, Powell’s book is a perfect match for the sciencebase site – songs and science – in John Powell’s latest book: “Why We Love Music: From Mozart to Metallica” out 5th May and available to order now.

From the book’s blurb: “Why does music affect you so profoundly? It impacts the way you think, talk, feel, behave and even spend money. With his conversational style, humour, and endless knowledge, scientist and musician John Powell showcases fascinating studies – for example that shoppers spend more money in stores that play classical music and, even more astounding, they are more likely to buy German wine in stores playing German music. With chapters on music and emotions, music as medicine, music and intelligence, and much more, Why We Love Music will entertain through to the very last page.”

Full review to follow…

In the meantime, here’s Dr Powell explaining wind instruments with beer, scissors and a straw