The Mind and Brain in Popular, and Not-So-Popular, Music (Blitz)

Because I’m sure some readers of this blog like to keep reflecting about neuroscience and psychology even when they’re too tired to keep reading books, articles, and blog posts, I thought I’d offer a list of some relaxing (and in some cases, not so relaxing) music that touches on this theme, so that those who are interested can tide themselves over until the caffeine kicks in.  Since most of the songs in the list are from my own music library, it has a strong eighties college radio bias.  But I’d be happy to take any recommendations you’re willing to offer from other eras – and musical styles – in the comments section.

 

 

REFERENCES TO BRAIN ANATOMY

Robyn Hitchcock – The Abandoned Brain (“The wind blows hard on the abandoned brain, but there’s nobody thinking at all.  The hypothalamus is open to the rain and the leaves sweep into the hall”).

Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS) – Drop Around the Clock (“We’re dopamine fiends.  Studies show geniuses pick green.  So chlorophyll me upstream . . .Dirty Shirley.  Knockin’ on the membranes of reptile brains like Mr. Furley . . . We drop like Merck Corp. stocks.  Thalamus gets outlined with chalk.”).

(There’s also this musical animation on brain anatomy from Pinky and the Brain).