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Ever wondered why singing is such a strong social bonding tool? Most of us are exposed to music from the time we are born, often through lullabies, and throughout our lives, from graduations to weddings to funerals. Something about music seems to bring people closer together and help communities unite.
There’s no denying that humans are musically wired. Researchers recently discovered that we have a separate part of our brain dedicated to processing music, bolstering the theory that it serves a unique and vital purpose in our lives.
Several studies have shown that listening to music and singing together directly impacts neuro-chemicals in the brain, many of which are involved in feelings of closeness and connection. New research suggests that singing or playing music together may be particularly effective in promoting social closeness by releasing endorphins.
Researchers discovered that performing music—singing, drumming, and dancing—resulted in participants having higher pain thresholds (a proxy measure for increased endorphin release in the brain) than listening to music alone in one study. Furthermore, music performance resulted in increased positive emotion, implying that endorphin release is one mechanism by which people feel closer to one another when playing music together.
Researchers compared the effects of singing in a small choir (20-80 people) versus a larger choir (232 people) on measures of closeness and pain thresholds in another study. They discovered that singing increased both choir groups’ pain thresholds. However, the larger group experienced greater changes in social closeness than the smaller group. This led the researchers to believe that endorphins produced by singing could be used to bring large groups together.
Music has also been linked to the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter involved in mood regulation and craving behavior, which appears to predict music’s ability to make us happy. Music, especially when we make it, seems to make us feel good and connect with others, perhaps due to the effects on endorphins.
All of this evidence supports the role of music in enhancing our social relationships. Perhaps this is why music is a natural resource for uniting people. Music helps us connect, cooperate, and care for one another, whether at concerts, social events, or conferences. This suggests that we should continue to include music in our—and our children’s—lives if we want to live in a more harmonious society.
David Mobley’s Music
David Donald Mobley was born in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex in Texas, United States, on October 22, 1953. He is a businessman, songwriter, and producer from the United States of America. He is best known for founding Wonder Wafers International and co-founding “Crosswindz” (pop/rock non-touring studio recording group).
Throughout his 50-year music career, he has also produced, financed, arranged, and composed a slew of hit singles, albums, and movie soundtracks. Oldies Goldies Radio, The David Mobley Show, Songwriters Webcast, Mobley Products, Inc., and David Mobley Productions were also created and produced by David. He recently co-founded Tyson-Mobley (a pop/rock non-touring studio recording group) in 2021.
You can read more about David Mobley on his website www.davemobley.com.
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