ROSÉ’s ‘APT.’, Sabrina Carpenter’s ‘Espresso’: The catchiest songs to avoid before your exams

Is there anything worse than having a song pop into your head in the middle of an exam?

In South Korea, it’s gotten to the point that some catchy songs have found themselves placed onto the “수능금지곡,” which translates into “college exam banned songs.”

These songs are so addictive that radio stations and TV programmes don’t play them to prevent students from being distracted during their annual exams, which is a big deal in the country.

One of the country’s most infamous banned songs is SHINee’s “Ring Ding Dong,” which was released in 2009. With its repetitive chorus and memorable choreography, it’s a nightmare to have the song playing in your head during your exams.

So. the question is, why are some songs just irresistible? 

What makes a song catchy?

Associate Professor of Music Composition Paul Barsom believes that the main elements needed for the song to be addictive are:

1. The hook
2. Repetition
3. Rhythm
4. Simplicity and familiarity
5. Relatable lyrics

Barsom is just about right.

When you’re listening to music, multiple parts of your brain are firing — especially parts of the brain that generate and control emotions, like dopamine, the “feel-good” hormone.

As your brain becomes familiar with the song, your body will naturally release dopamine, making the song pleasurable and worth remembering — some can even help you with your studies. 

Additionally, songs with beats per minute (BPM) of 100 to 130 are typically catchy. This includes “Wannabe” by Spice Girls and “Next Level” by aespa. 

But just because a pleasurable song is worth remembering doesn’t mean it should be playing in your head at any time of the day, especially during exams. 

These catch songs will be your greatest distraction as they will negatively impact your working memory and reading comprehension, making it harder to understand and absorb information. 

This has happened to millions of people worldwide.

However, this Reddit user has found a way to stop getting songs stuck in their head. “One thing I do is to focus on another sound or something else I see; might be buzzing of the fans, or the invigilator walking around, or even another student shaking their legs,” they write. “Also, don’t try to fight the song too hard; just try to focus on other things, and it’ll gradually get softer.”

Still, what might be the most fool-proof way of preventing songs from popping into your head is by creating a list of songs you should not listen to, just like how South Korean schools have done.

20 catchy songs that you should not listen to before your exam

1. APT. by ROSÉ and Bruno Mars

This list of catchy songs has to start with APT. by Rosé and Bruno Mars, a song inspired by the former’s favourite Korean drinking game, Apartment. With a tempo of 149 bpm, it’s a fast song that, at least, if stuck in your head, you can get through it pretty quickly. 

This is also the song that made Rosé the first Korean female solo artist to reach #1 on both the US and global Spotify charts, and its music video is the fastest music video of 2024 — by any artist of any genre — to hit 300 million views on YouTube, so that’s saying something.

2. Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter

Sabrina Carpenter is no stranger to singing catchy songs. One song that should definitely be on your banned songs list is “Espresso.” It’s been making rounds on social media and even has an SNL skit parodying it, so you know it’s a big deal. 

“Please Please Please,” “Feather,” and “Nonsense,” are her other catchy songs that are addictive and may distract you while you’re sitting for your exam.

@katseyeworld touch on repeat #KATSEYE #KATSEYE_Touch #newmusic ♬ Touch – KATSEYE

3. Touch by KATSEYE

Released in June 2024 by girl group KATSEYE, “Touch” has already received over 145 million plays on Spotify and 52 million views on YouTube.

This upbeat song has a tempo of 167 BPM, and its repetitive chorus is probably the last thing you want in your head as you sit for exams.

4. Next Level by aespa

Written as a sequel to their other catchy song, “Black Mamba,” “Next Level” is about the group’s journey into a fictional universe. Most notably, though, the song is a remake of a song of the same name from the original soundtrack of the movie “Fast & Furious: Hobbs & Show,” sung by A$ton Wyld.

Due to its catchiness, the song was put on the list of banned songs as it’s believed to be too distracting for students. “Supernova” and “Whiplash” are other songs that should be a part of your ban list.

5. Apple by Charlie XCX

As part of her iconic Brat album, “Apple” has a deeper meaning alongside its catchy tune.

The song explores her relationship with her parents and family as it goes into the themes of generational trauma, introspection, and escapism. An interesting song choice to have stuck in your head in the middle of the exam — but what can you do about it?

“Apple” has received over 227 million plays on Spotify and 11 million views on YouTube. Charlie XCX’s TikTok video featuring Troye Sivan and Terrence O’Connor has garnered over 52.6 million views too.

6. Poker Face by Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga needs no introduction, and “Poker Face” is just one of the songs that can be recognised right off the beat.

It’s catchy for several reasons, such as the hook, the electronic tune, the repeated rhythm, and the use of a minor key, creating a mood many can relate to.

@seventeen17_official #milliondollarbaby ♬ MILLION DOLLAR BABY (VHS) – Tommy Richman

7. Million Dollar Baby by Tommy Richman

Tommy Richman, a 24-year-old American singer and songwriter, shot to fame with his viral song “Million Dollar Baby.” Before releasing the full song, he posted a snippet of it on TikTok, and thanks to the virality, it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 when it was fully released.

Since then, the song has received over 932 million listens on Spotify and a combination of 138 million views across three YouTube videos. Even KPOP idols like SEVENTEEN have hopped on the dance trend to this song.

8. Beautiful Things by Benson Boone

American singer and songwriter Benson Boone rose to fame on TikTok, and “Beautiful Things” is one of the many catchy songs he has released.

It’s a love song that expresses gratitude for positive changes in life while exploring themes of fear, anxiety, and the meaning of life — not a bad song to get stuck in your head.

It has received over one billion listens on Spotify and 375 million views on YouTube.

9. Die With A Smile by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars

Let’s be honest, this collaboration shocked the whole world.

Two iconic artists dropping a banger together? Shocking. “Die With A Smile” is a jazzy and uplifting song that made its way to number one on the Billboard Global 200 for eight weeks and number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song has received over 900 million plays on Spotify and 285 million views on YouTube.

10. 아주 Nice (Very Nice) by SEVENTEEN

While this song is a bop, it would be very nice if it didn’t get stuck in your head while sitting for your exams. Seventeen’s “Very Nice” is a song that expresses the excitement and happiness of being in love.

The playfulness of the song is what makes it catchy, but sadly, it is a song that should be banned during the exam period.

11. Pedro (Remix) by Raffaella Carra, Jaxomy, and Agatino Romero

While initially released in 1980, 44 years ago, “Pedro” found fame again on TikTok after a remix by German producers Jaxomy and Agatino Romero went viral when a video of a raccoon above a rotating camera was posted.

The remix has 17 million views on YouTube and 329 million listens on Spotify.

12. ETA by NewJeans 

If you plan on listening to this song right before your exams, know that you’re singing a song about a group of friends calling their other friend to inform her that her boyfriend is cheating on her — there are worse songs out there, but this one is quite peculiar.

Like all the other catchy songs, the repetitive part section of “What’s your ETA” is what makes it addictive and challenging to get out of your head.

It’s so catchy that it has over 297 million listens on Spotify and 87 million views on YouTube.

13. TEXAS HOLD ‘EM by Beyoncé

Queen B dropped another banger, but sadly, it’s so good and catchy that it has made it to the list of banned songs you should not listen to before your exams.

After all, this ain’t Texas, ain’t no hold ’em — especially if you’re sitting for your exams and you need to give it your all.

The song has received 563 plays on Spotify and 80 million views across two YouTube videos.

14. Wannabe by Spice Girls

“Wannabe” is such a catchy song that the BBC, The Guardian, Time Magazine, CNN, and The Independent have written about it. Scientists from Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum conducted a year-long study on what makes a song memorable, and Wannabe was named the number one song.

While it got first in the study, let’s hope it’s not the first thing that pops into your mind when you’re sitting for your exams — that’s almost a sure way to not come in first in your exams. 

@m2mpd 자석처럼 끌리게 되는 아일릿 릴댄 #릴레이댄스 #RelayDance #M2 #ILLIT #아일릿 #Magnetic @illit_official ♬ 오리지널 사운드 – M2

15. Magnetic by ILLIT

Debuting with “Magnetic,” KPOP girl group ILLIT has taken global charts and TikTok by storm due to the song’s catchiness. Singing about how falling in love with someone is like getting drawn to a magnet, the repeated use of the word “you” makes the song addictive. 

But this time, I want you to (no pun intended) put this song on the list of banned songs before sitting for your exams. 

16. Dance The Night by Dua Lipa

Released as part of Barbie’s soundtrack, “Dance The Night” has received a lot of love from the public. The song is about the joy of dancing, self-expression, and embracing life’s simple pleasures.

Its disco-esque music video is neat too, but you might want to channel more of Gloria than Barbie when you’re trying to focus on getting the right answers on your exam paper.

“Levitating,” “Don’t Stop Now,” “Houdini,” and “Illusion” are some of the many catchy songs Dua Lipa has released, and we recommend adding them to your list of banned songs, just to be safe.