Little Apple poses big psychological question

The Chinese media have been overwhelmed by a pop song, Little Apple, by the Chopstick Brothers. Called "brainwashing pop song" by many, Little Apple has become popular overnight in China like Gangnam Style or Tante (Perturbed) in the recent past.

All "brainwashing pop songs" have some common characteristics: they are simple and easy on rhythm, have straightforward lyrics and are fast paced. Little Apple has all of those and has become so popular in social media and networks media that even some official organizations are using it for promotion. For instance, the Ministry of Defense has posted a music video with soldiers dancing to this song on its official website to lure new recruits.

There are psychological reasons why simple songs top the charts, so to say, in no time. "Brainwashing pop songs" have appeal to us because of a psychological phenomenon called "earworm effect", which seems like a trick to our brains. In lay terms, earworm effect means the ceaseless repetition of a piece of music, often the chorus of a song, in one's mind. This recognition phenomenon of the brain is the reason why some simple pop songs "brainwash" us into accepting them as good pieces of music.