Music can evoke a wide range of emotions and feelings, even without lyrics. The melodies and rhythms of music have a big impact on our brains, activating many regions and releasing stress and anxiety hormones. When listening to classical music, for example, we may feel relaxed when a chord meets its climax, happy when the pitches of notes remind us of emotions or old memories, and scared as the brain’s amygdala region becomes active. According to a study, the subjective experience of music across cultures can be mapped within at least 13 overarching feelings, including amusement, joy, eroticism, beauty, relaxation, sadness, dreaminess, triumph, anxiety, scariness, annoyance, defiance, and feeling pumped up. Other research suggests that happiness, calm, love, sadness, excitement, and nostalgia are frequent emotions evoked by music, whereas fear, shame, and jealousy are less common.

Music is a form of expression that can tell a story and bind people together in a way that language rarely does. It can create a deeper connection and emotional bond between people who share the same music taste. The brain tries to impose structure and order on a sequence of sounds, creating an entirely new system of meaning that can lead to emotional reactions. The rewards of listening to music, such as pleasure and a sense of accomplishment, can also play a role in evoking emotions.

In summary, music can evoke a wide range of emotions and feelings, including happiness, sadness, relaxation, excitement, and more. The melodies and rhythms of music have a big impact on our brains, activating many regions and releasing stress and anxiety hormones. Music is a form of expression that can tell a story and bind people together in a way that language rarely does. The rewards of listening to music, such as pleasure and a sense of accomplishment, can also play a role in evoking emotions.