Do you ever notice that it seems like songs have a faster tempo when you play them in the night hours compared to playing them first thing in the morning?
You're not alone, and you're not crazy. A lot of people have experienced this phenomenon, yet, not enough people know the answers since studies haven't been officially done on this phenomenon.
Luckily, a few scientists offer some explanations that might explain why our ears are playing tricks on us in spite of the fact that they haven't officially put this into a study.
There are at least four reasons that your favorite songs on your playlist seem to be at a faster speed after hours.
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You may be experiencing this feeling because your brain is more alert at night. This is especially true for those who consider themselves to be night owls.
When you're first waking up in the morning, your brain moves slowly and processes things like music at a slightly slower pace. If you're fully attentive later in the day, you won't feel that dragging of tempo as much.
In the opposite effect, you may experience the sense that things are moving fast at night due to grogginess or drug use that can occur at night. With drugs or sleepiness, things tend to move fast around you while you process very slowly.
Even though it's very hard to hear, sound transmits farther and faster in the early evening in some areas when the weather is warmer compared to when the weather is lower in the morning.
Sound waves travel slower in cold air than in warm air because the molecules hit faster and transmit the pulse in less time in warm air.
You may notice that the speed of music changes when you're working out while you listen to music.
If you're the type of person who likes to listen to music along with their morning jog, and then you play that same song at night thinking that it is somehow slower, it may be because it felt slower in the morning than your faster heart rate at that time.
Now, at night when your heart rate is normal and slower than it was that morning, you may feel that the song is somehow faster since it isn't in competition with your rapid heart rate.
If you're only noticing this when you're out at the club or the bar somewhere, it may just be that the music is literally playing faster.
DJs sometimes need to change the BPM (beats per minute) of a song to fit well with their particular set. If they make a very subtle change, it can be hard to tell if it's just your ears going crazy or if the song is truly playing faster.
Our bodies have internal biological clocks known as circadian rhythms that regulate various physiological processes, including our perception of time.
These rhythms fluctuate throughout the day, and during nighttime, our bodies naturally tend to be more alert and responsive.
This increased alertness can lead to a heightened perception of the passage of time, potentially making music appear faster.
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So, there you have it! While studies may not have delved deep into the exact reasons why music sounds faster at night, there are some plausible explanations.
Ultimately, a few different things could contribute to this interesting phenomenon.
So, the next time you find yourself tapping your foot to a song at night and feeling like it's on fast-forward, know that it's a subjective perception influenced by various factors.
Keep enjoying your favorite tunes, no matter the time of day or how they seem to speed up or slow down. Music has a way of captivating us, regardless of the tricks our ears might play on us.
As a session singer, writer, and producer that has worked with over 300 clients to provide high-quality jingles, singles, and features, Yona spends her time creating and marketing new music and helpful resources for creators. Check out Yona’s latest releases on her Spotify, her Youtube and share if you like it!
If you are in need of singer, songwriter or song producer services, see what Yona Marie can offer you on her services page.
