Music makes you lose control

One of the benefits of having a good speaker system or even having the time to listen to songs leisurely on headphones is the stereo effect in modern film music. Music directors have exploited this to increase the sense of satisfaction we obtain from just listening to music. One of the concepts that has been exploited is the usage of binaural beats. The Wiki article speaks about it in frequency – beats terms, but for the less interested, what it basically produces is the effect of an apparent sound that seems to be moving inside your head, from ear to ear, back and forth.

The first instance I seem to remember having noticed it was in the opening song of “Kaakha Kaakha”. Almost all of us must have listened to this song on headphones atleast once. You can’t miss the binaural beats produced in Suchi’s voice as she  sings “Oh Maha Zeeya” around 3:25 in this youtube version (just before the start of the second charanam).

The same principle has been used to devastating effect in the Slumdog Millionaire song “O Saya”. The background music messes with your head and hacks your brain, even before the vocals start. It was one of the reasons I liked the song instantly.

There may be other songs that have used this effect, it will be interesting to create a compilation /playlist. Listening to these type of songs is said to improve your concentration / focus. It could be nothing more than a placebo effect, but even that is direct evidence that music has the powers of soothing and healing!

– Shree.