When we listen to a melancholic song, a poignant symphony or a slow song full of emotions, a strange feeling invades us. Rather than sinking into gloom, a certain well-being sets in. This paradox, which has long intrigued scientists, has just been clarified by a study carried out by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), in Australia. She reveals that the sadness felt through music is not just a simple side effect, but a key element of the pleasure it provides.
Surprising, but understandable results
Professor Emery Schubert, a specialist in empirical musicology, set up a revealing experiment. By asking participants to choose sad music that they liked, then to imagine that this feeling of sadness was taken away from them, he observed a striking phenomenon: 82% of the participants declared that this removal reduced their pleasure of listening. Sadness would therefore not be a burden, but a vector of emotion which enriches the musical experience.
Sadness, a paradoxically pleasant emotion?
Unlike negative everyday emotions, musical sadness is a sought-after feeling. For what ? According to Professor Schubert, it activates brain circuits linked to pleasure and emotion, thus offering a form of catharsis. In other words, we accept musical sadness because it is devoid of the real consequences of experienced sadness.
This idea is close to a hypothesis put forward by other researchers, as Professor Schubert explains: “Previous studies refer to an ‘indirect effect hypothesis,’ meaning that people may feel sad, but they enjoy something else: being moved, because being moved is a feeling mixed with positive and negative aspects“.
A framed sadness, without real pain
Listening to sad music is like watching a drama at the cinema or reading a moving novel: you explore a range of strong emotions without suffering the negative effects. This could explain why certain songs haunt us, upset us, but soothe us at the same time.
The phenomenon could also be linked to feel-good hormones, notably prolactin, a substance released by the brain to alleviate stress and promote a state of comfort. Listening to sad music would stimulate this biological response, providing a calming effect similar to that of a hug.
Why do some sad music affect us more than others?
Not everyone is equally sensitive to melancholy songs. Certain factors influence this emotional connection:
- Personal memories: A sad song can bring back vivid memories, creating a strong emotional connection;
- The musical experience: Informed musicians or amateurs perceive harmonic and rhythmic subtleties which intensify their pleasure;
- Cultural expectations: In some cultures, musical sadness is seen as noble and refined, while in others it is more associated with melancholy and mourning.
Sadness, an essential ingredient for musical pleasure
Professor Schubert’s study therefore provides scientific confirmation of a widely shared intuition: sad music does not depress us, it makes us feel good. It transforms a negative emotion into a moment of beauty and introspection, providing a unique form of pleasure. A phenomenon that explains why, when faced with heartbreak, a breakup or a bout of the blues, we instinctively turn to these songs that touch us right in the heart.