Dementia is a condition that affects the brain and can change how a person thinks, remembers, and behaves. One of the most common things people notice when someone has dementia is that they start to forget things. Sometimes, this includes forgetting names, faces, or even how to do everyday tasks. But what about favorite songs? Can dementia make people forget the songs they love the most?
For many people, music is a big part of life. Favorite songs can bring back memories, lift moods, and even help people feel connected to their past. When someone has dementia, their ability to remember things can become weaker over time. This includes both short-term and long-term memories. But research shows that music, especially songs that are meaningful or familiar, can sometimes stay in a person’s mind even when other memories fade [1].
Scientists have found that the parts of the brain that process music are often less affected by dementia than other areas. This means that even if someone forgets what happened yesterday or struggles to remember the names of family members, they might still be able to recognize and enjoy their favorite songs. In fact, studies have shown that people with dementia can often sing along to songs from their youth or recall lyrics even when they have trouble with other types of memory [2].
There are several reasons why music seems to stick around longer. One reason is that music is linked to emotions. When a person hears a song that is tied to a strong feeling, like happiness or sadness, the brain stores that memory in a different way. This emotional connection can help protect the memory from being lost, even as dementia progresses [3]. Another reason is that music involves many parts of the brain at once. Listening to or singing a song uses areas that handle sound, movement, emotion, and memory. Because so many brain regions are involved, the memory of a song can be more resilient than other kinds of memories [4].
However, it is important to note that dementia does not affect everyone in the same way. Some people may lose the ability to recognize their favorite songs as the disease gets worse. Others might still know the songs but have trouble remembering the words or the order of the verses. In some cases, a person might not be able to name the song or the artist, but they can still hum the tune or feel the emotions connected to it [5].
There are also different types of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, and it often starts with memory loss. Other types, like frontotemporal dementia or vascular dementia, can affect different parts of the brain and may have different effects on a person’s ability to remember music. For example, someone with frontotemporal dementia might have more trouble with language and speech, which could make it harder to sing or recall lyrics, even if they still enjoy the music [6].
Even when dementia makes it hard to remember songs, music can still be helpful. Playing familiar music for someone with dementia can bring comfort, reduce anxiety, and sometimes even spark memories or conversations. Caregivers often use music as a tool to connect with people who have dementia, especially when other forms of communication become difficult .
It is also worth mentioning that listening to music regularly might help protect the brain from dementia in the first place. Studies have shown that older adults who listen to music on most days have a lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who rarely or never listen to music. The same is true for people who play music, not just listen to it. Those who both listen to and play music on a regular basis have been found to have a 33 percent lower risk of dementia and a 22 percent lower risk of cognitive impairment .
The exact reason why music helps is not fully understood, but researchers believe it has to do with how music activates different parts of the brain. Listening to music can boost mood, reduce stress, and keep the brain active. All of these things are good for brain health and may help slow down the effects of aging and dementia .
In some cases, music therapy is used as part of dementia care. This involves working with a trained therapist to use music in ways that support memory, communication, and emotional well-being. Music therapy can include listening to songs, singing, playing instruments, or even moving to music. These activities can help people with dementia feel more engaged and connected, even when their memory is not what it used to be .
It is also important to remember that everyone’s experience with dementia is different. Some people may never forget their favorite songs, while others might lose that ability as the disease progresses. There is no single answer that fits everyone, but the connection between music and memory is strong and can be a source of comfort and joy for many people, even in the face of dementia .
Sources:
[1] Deseret News, 2025
[2] Alzinfo.org, 2025
[3] New Science, 2025
[4] Powers Health, 2025
[5] ScienceDaily, 2025
[6] ScienceAlert, 2025
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 2025
The Washington Post, 2025
HealthDay, 2025
Princeton University Music Cognition Lab, 2025
ASPREE Longitudinal Study of Older Persons, 2025
