Why do you like a song so much… and why does it become your song? Why can't you recite the lyrics to an old favourite on demand - but the second the track starts, you’re singing every word?

In this episode of The Gen X/Z Exchange, we go beyond “favourite bands” chat and get into the psychology and neuroscience of music - starting with our all-time favourite songs, then unpacking the three things that can turn any track into a lifelong favourite.

From the ‘Reminiscence Bump’ (why music from certain ages sticks more) to the cascading version that explains why your parents’ classics can feel like your nostalgia too, this one’s a proper brain-meets-bangers deep dive.

We cover how a live band can become a 'biological conductor' of the crowd, the role music plays in films and laugh at a few misheard lyrics.

You’ll learn:

• The science behind “favourite songs” and why some tracks feel so personal
• What the Reminiscence Bump is - and how it shapes Gen X vs Gen Z taste
• Why lyrics live in your brain differently than spoken words
• How to find new music (and why many of us stop searching as we get older)
• How to run an inter-generational family listening party

Listen in and you’ll discover how music can unlock memory, boost connection, and - even in some cases - help people access speech and movement when other routes fail.

Hit play now!

1.02 Chris and Lily each briefly discuss their all-time favourite song

3.02 The three things that can make a song a favourite

5.40 The 'Reminiscence Bump'

8.03 Why you can't recite lyrics on demand, but as soon as the song starts you can sing along all the way through

10.07 Where to find new music and why we stop listening to new music as we get older

17.23 The 'Cascading Reminiscence Bump'

18.39 How to run an inter-generational family listening party

26.43 Live music - three things that make for a great live performance

31.40 The Playlist for Life and the effect music can have on people who have lost speech or motor skills

33.53 Film music

35.17 Misheard lyrics

You can find out more about Playlist for Life here:

https://www.playlistforlife.org.uk/

Send us a voice message on Speakpipe!

https://www.speakpipe.com/thegenxzexchange

Connect with us:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisperkins172/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lily-perkins-8446a82bb/