Memory Bump Music

What are our ‘Memory Bump Years’?

An article by MDFR Volunteer Joanne Parry

Ever wondered why events from your teens and twenties seem only like yesterday, and why you return time and time again to the songs from your youth? These strong memories are from your ‘Memory Bump years’.

The term ‘Memory Bump Years’, also known as the ‘Reminiscence Bump’, refers to the stage of life where our strongest memories tend to be formed: between the ages of ten to thirty.

Why do we remember more from our Memory Bump Years?

Cultural Norms

There have always been expectations about when we should hit certain milestones, most of which are during adolescence and early adulthood. Think about the abundance of songs, films, and books centred on this period of life. 

As a result, experiences during adolescence and early adulthood may feel more memorable. 

Self-identity Formation

Cultural expectations don’t come from nowhere – it’s true that we undergo a lot of physical and interpersonal change between the ages of ten to thirty, and are therefore likely to hit a few milestones along the way.

During this age, we begin to stake our own places in the world, and our ideas of who we are as individuals become clearer as a result.

As a formative stage of our lives, the ages between ten and thirty are more likely to feel memorable.

Novel Experiences

Early adulthood is a life-stage filled with ‘firsts’: first kiss, first break-up, first time moving away from home, etc.

Research shows that not only do novel experiences activate the regions of our brain associated with rewards, but that they encourage us to be more present. When we properly take in our surroundings, our brain is able to recall events with more clarity later on.

–

Now, think of the music you associate with an event. Maybe it’s the song that played during your first dance at your wedding, or your favourite Christmas song from childhood. 

For many, the song is the part we remember most clearly – but why is that?

Why are memories associated with music stronger?

Music Makes Us Feel Present

Music evokes profound neurological and emotional effects. 

When we listen to our favourite songs, our brain releases high levels of dopamine and oxytocin: the same “happy chemicals” triggered when we experience something for the first time. 

Since the act of listening to music creates the same neurological effect as experiencing novelty, musical events are more likely to register in our brain as novel experiences. 

As a novel experience, listening to music can help us feel more present, or ‘in the moment’ – a state which later enhances our ability to recall memories.

Music Is A Multisensory Experience

Music triggers both the emotional and rhythm centres inside our brain, both of which are directly linked to the brain’s motor centre.

This is why when we listen to music, we feel the urge to move our bodies to the rhythm. 

Listening to music therefore feels like a multisensory experience, which our brain encodes as a rich, and more memorable, event.

We Remember Sensory Experiences Better

Our brain is constantly receiving information through our senses. 

If a sensory experience catches our attention – for example, the novelty of hearing a new song – a memory is more likely to be formed.

In our brain, our hippocampus binds sensory experiences together – sights, sounds, smells, thoughts, and feelings – and stores them in a coherent way. This enables our brain to retrieve these multisensory memories later on. 

When you hear a song that’s associated with a happy memory, the music acts as a sensory cue for the brain. 

This sensory cue can enable the brain to retrieve the memory, along with its other associated sensory experiences, in a quicker, easier, and more detailed way. 

Repetitive Listening

Finally, there’s the simple fact that we tend to listen to songs repeatedly. 

Repetition creates more neural pathways in the brain, which converts short-term memories into long-term ones. The music we listen to between the ages of ten to thirty therefore leaves a longer lasting impact on our memories.

How does Memory Bump Music help people with dementia?

Research shows that for people living with dementia, listening to music from their Memory Bump Years has a positive impact on wellbeing.

Music stimulates memory, acts as a source of comfort, and encourages conversation and engagement with other people.

How does MDFR Use Memory Bump Music?

Speaking in an interview, founder and station manager of MDFR, Nat Gavin, says:

‘I find ‘90s metal very nostalgic – and even pop music, which I hated at the time, now gives me that same feeling.’

‘Similarly, my mum never really spoke about ‘50s music; she was mostly into ‘60s and ‘70s rock. But when I’d play music from the ‘50s, which is when she would’ve been quite young, she’d sing along to it and her mood would be lifted.’

When MDFR first started in April 2020, we conducted questionnaires asking listeners what songs they wanted to hear.

Most of the music played on MDFR is between the ‘30s and ‘80s, which is when our average listener would have experienced their Memory Bump Years.

Our broadcast boasts an eclectic programming schedule, with sing-along anthems from the ‘30s through to the ‘80s, classical arrangements, hits from musicals, karaoke segments, Merseyside local history trivia, jazz, ambient music, and even the occasional trip-hop tune.

But between the late-afternoon and small hours of the night, we like to wind things down.

Share your favourite Memory Bump music with us

We strive to ensure that every aspect of our station is developed hand-in-hand with the dementia community. We deeply value the feedback of our listeners, and are always looking for ways to improve our broadcast.

Here are a couple ways you can get involved:

1. Join our Listener Feedback Group

Our Listener Feedback group is aimed at those either experiencing life with dementia or helping to support someone who is. 

Participation would involve helping us to shape the content of our broadcast, as well as suggesting any improvements we could make.

 More information can be found on this webpage.

2. Share Your Favourite Relaxing Songs

Our broadcast boasts an eclectic programming schedule, with sing-along anthems from the ‘30s through to the ‘80s, classical arrangements, hits from musicals, karaoke segments, Merseyside local history trivia, jazz, ambient music, and even the occasional trip-hop tune.

We’re currently compiling an archive of your favourite relaxing music, and we’d like as many suggestions as possible to ensure things don’t get too repetitive! These songs can be from any era and of any genre.

Share your favourite relaxing tunes via this anonymous Google Form!