Reading – Spotify’s Newest Friend

Over the years, I have heard and witnessed hundreds of friends listening to their favorite tunes while studying for their next math test or memorizing the latest psych theories. However, lately, I have noticed a dramatic increase in peers blasting out their eardrums while reading some of my favorite novels, and I can’t help but feel… upset? Like they might be missing some of the best moments because of the bumping bass of Pentatonix, or associating the epic battles on the pages with T.Pain leading the crusade. Beyond my own feelings though, I thought it might be doing a disservice to the author who spent all those hours crafting an incredible story only to be usurped in recognition by a teenager screaming into a microphone. Now, this is not to say that I do not love music. I listen to it daily on runs and walks and imagine myself in those exact scenes I read about. So, I guess, despite my judging, it is only fair to ask the question, how have music and reading evolved together? Am I the one who is missing out?

Workout That Brain

As noted, individuals have been combining music and reading for a long time. Multiple studies, including one from Books.org, have shown clear evidence that the “senses are amazing memory holders,” and combining music with reading allows someone to stimulate the brain and absorb information better. An article from Heathline compares this combination to exercising your body; the more you exercise your brain with cognitive “workouts,” the stronger it becomes and the more knowledge it can hold. Therefore, if someone is listening to music while reading, they are actually stimulating their brain to a greater degree than someone who is consuming the same narrative in silence.

Additionally, the same study from Books.org revealed that reading while listening to music can enhance relaxation and enjoyment by providing a serene atmosphere that pulls you deeper into your book. Music can also be used as a blanket when someone is forced to read in a noisy environment, allowing them to stay engaged without everyday distractions.

However, if you are working on escaping the “noise” of reality, it would make sense then to choose a classical, non-lyrical piece of music rather than the song you sang at the club the night before. Unfortunately, many individuals combining the two at the moment are making the error of choosing their favorite music rather than the tunes that provide the pros listed above. If you are one of those people making this error, let me tell you why it is actually doing a disservice for you.

First, high volumes tend to overstimulate the brain and will lead you to lose focus, making it much harder for you to concentrate on the book you are currently reading. Additionally, a study from the University of Phoenix revealed that if you already have a memory linked to a song then that memory will likely usurp what you are currently trying to memorize and/or get into. Meaning that instead of getting away from your life as one is often attempting to do while reading, you are blasting a trip down memory lane in your mind. Finally, and scarily, everyone is susceptible to Pavlov’s theory behind connections and associations. If you begin to listen to music every single time you read, then you risk forever needing music to inspire you to read. Seems like a creepy crutch if you ask me.

 You Have Ten Seconds to Impress Me

I think it is fair to say that since Covid there has been a serious decline in people’s attention spans.

Sure, we can chalk it up to TikTok, Instagram, any other social media platform our grandparents rant about, whatever you want to say, but we can all agree that our generation needs extra stimulation to stay engaged with something.

Authors recognize this. To save what is already a dying art, authors are needing to adapt their own writing to be engaging to modern readers. One of the ways that they decided to tackle this was by including playlists at the beginning of their novels or referencing well-known modern songs and singers in various scenes of books.

On one hand, creating a playlist helps capture the spirit of the story. As a reader, you are able to transport yourself not just into the mind of the author but into the scene itself and really recognize the vibe that is being set at the time. You feel a connection that you may have misinterpreted had there not been the musical queue and you might develop a greater understanding for what was originally a 2-dimensional character.

 Additionally, more people in society see words in their brains rather than actual scenes playing out in their heads when reading a book. Music offers that additional sense that is sometimes required for people’s imagination to go further than it normally would. Therefore, having an author who supplies you with the necessary tunes to set a movie-like scene in your brain might make your reading journey more enjoyable.

So, We All Heard The Same Thing?

However, all this being said, part of reading is suspending reality and using your own emotional and mental state to consume and interpret a book. Having a playlist that everyone shares may eliminate the possibility of multiple interpretations of a novel. Instead, it might feel like you are on a guided tour of your own imagination and ruin the possibility of a good conversation following the end of a story.

I also think we can agree that if you are reading the climactic scene of a book and all of a sudden an author throws in “PLAY IMAGINE DRAGONS: SHOTS,” you will cringe internally a little. This might remove you from the most important scene as you think about past memories of yourself hearing that song or question why a book set in a fantasy land could possibly know this pop artist; either way, the mood is killed.

Thanks, But No Thanks

All in all, despite loving to read and loving to listen to music, I prefer to connect with words without the distraction of my tunes. I understand how it does work for some, but I like the idea of keeping my imagination open to any and all possibilities.