The Whole Nine Yards Episode 191

With Roy Stannard

On Mid Sussex Radio 103.8FM

Sunday 22nd September 2024 3-5pm

http://www.midsussexradio.co.uk/listen

Striking Accord

Science has shown that performing, singing, playing music in groups releases endorphins that lower pain and increase pleasure – as well as bringing people together. Choirs are a great example. It has also been shown to be linked to dopamine release, regulating mood and reducing the need for anti-depressants and therapy. It brings us together – and together we always feel better. In harmony..

In one study, researchers found that performing music—through singing, drumming, and dancing—all resulted in participants having higher pain thresholds (a proxy measure for increased endorphin release in the brain) in comparison to listening to music alone. In addition, the performance of music resulted in greater positive emotion, suggesting one pathway through which people feel closer to one another when playing music together is through endorphin release.

In another study, researchers compared the effects of singing together in a small choir (20-80 people) versus a larger choir (232 people) on measures of closeness and on pain thresholds. The researchers found that both choir groups increased their pain threshold levels after singing; however, the larger group experienced bigger changes in social closeness after singing than the smaller group. This suggested to the researchers that endorphins produced in singing can act to draw large groups together quickly.

Music has also been linked to dopamine release, involved in regulating mood and craving behavior, which seems to predict music’s ability to bring us pleasure. Coupled with the effects on endorphins, music seems to make us feel good and connect with others, perhaps particularly when we make music ourselves. But music is more than just a common pleasure. New studies reveal how it can work to create a sense of group identity.

Hour One

Brinsley Schwartz – What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace Love & Understanding (The New Favourites 1974)

The Stone Roses – All For One (Single release only 2016)

The Cult – Give Me Mercy (Under The Midnight Sun 2022)

The Farm – All Together Now (Spartacus 1991)

Basement Jaxx – Power to the People (Junto 2014)

The Chemical Brothers – No Geography (No Geography 2019)

Echosmith – Come Together (Talking Dreams 2014)

Smash Mouth – Walkin’ On The Sun (Fush Yu Mang 1997)

Wilbert Harrison – Let’s Work Together (Let’s Work Together 1969)

Sly & the Family Stone – Everyday People (Stand! 1968)

Robert Palmer – Every Kinda People (Double Fun 1978)

Arrested Development – People Everyday (3 Years,5 Months & 2 Days In The Life Of…1992)

Hour Two

Indigo Girls – Pendulum Swinger (Despite Our Differences 2006)

Cymande – Bra (Cymande 1972)

1 Giant Leap – Braided Hair (1 Giant Leap 2002)

Wolf Alice – Freazy (My Love Is Cool 2015)

Natasha Bedingfield (featuring Angel Haze) – Everybody Come Together (Roll with Me 2019)

The Isley Brothers – Harvest For The World (Prelude) (Harvest For The World 1976)

The Isley Brothers – Harvest For The World (Harvest For The World 1976)

Brotherhood of Man – United We Stand (United We Stand 1970)

Jean-Jacques Goldman – Comme Toi (Comme Toi 1972)

The Animals – Anything (Winds of Change 1967)

The Youngbloods – Get Together (Youngbloods 1967)

Jackson Browne – For Everyman (For Everyman 1973)

U2 – One (live at Slane Castle 2005) (Achtung Baby 1991)