Why You Love Music: From Mozart to Metallica by John Powell

John Powell the physicist and part time musician wrote Why You Love Music: From Mozart to Metallica--The Emotional Power of Beautiful Sounds as a follow up to his book How Music Works: The Science and Psychology of Beautiful Sounds, from Beethoven to the Beatles and Beyond. He wanted the general reader to get a basic understanding of both the physics and the psychological effects of music.

With delightful British wit he aptly explains why we like chords and specific note progressions. His dive into the psychological literature offers up some studies showing how types of music influence the purchase of either French or German wine with French music driving French wine sales.  Music can even influence the perceived taste of wine. In one study a wine was both judged the worst and the best wine with order and background music the only variables.

He also noted the ability of music to cause the production of various neurotransmitters, serotonin, and dopamine. Music can be an important therapy in pain management. By stringing songs in a particular order and at the appropriate volume it can also assist people with getting to sleep.  With my MP3 player I can string together a series of songs and the player will automatically turn off when the set is done. This has helped me sleep when I am awaken during the middle of the night and need to get back to sleep.

Musical instruments as old as 40,000 years old made from the bone of a vulture can still play familiar tunes. He suggests that music was important in parental bonding with children as the parent will sing to their baby to help them control their emotions.

40,000 year old instrument plays a familiar tune

How music works - 4 minutes

Why we love music - 6 min. 

The physics behind the psychology of music - 6 min.