“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” - Albert Einstein
Similar to Einstein, many scientists have a passion for music. Many researchers play musical instruments, including Dr. Francis Collins (the director of the NIH plays guitar), Dr. Mark Ptashned (a molecular biologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering) plays the violin, Dr. Rudy Tanzi (a neuroscientist at Harvard Medical School) plays keyboards, Dr. Brian May (an astrophysicist with NASA's New Horizons Pluto mission) is the guitarist for Queen, and many more.
In addition to generating music, researchers often appreciate music, which can inspire creative ideas or help them focus on their work.
Thinking about the connections between science and music, I decided to put together a lab song playlist.
Toxic - Brittany Spears
I spent 6 years studying toxicology, so I have to start this list with a song about a toxic “substance.”
Help! – The Beatles
Science is all about collaboration and working together. In this field, you have to be willing to ask for help and feedback.
Happy – Pharrell Williams
This song is for the good times in the lab and the joy of science.
Don’t Stop Believing – Journey
As many scientists know, experiments don’t always work and there can be setbacks during the research process. You just have to remind yourself to be persistent and keep believing in your work.
I Got You – Bebe Rexha
I picture mentors singing the chorus to their mentees.
Disco Inferno – The Trammps
For my thesis work, I investigated the biological effects of biomass smoke from the “burning” of solid fuels. This song reminds me of the time I spent optimizing an experimental smoke generation system. I even used it in a student seminar presentation.
Circle of Life – Carmen Twillie and Lebo M. (written by Elton John)
This song is fitting for biology and the laboratory ecosystem.
Confident – Demi Lovato
Scientists show confidence when presenting their research.
Rather Be – Clean Bandit featuring Jess Glynne
Scientists say, “There’s no place I’d rather be - than researching and learning new things."
Call On Me – Eric Prydz
My labmates in graduate school knew that they could call on me for help with their projects
Crazy Youngsters - Ester Dean
I think most trainees share these feelings: “'Cause we got, hey, we got a lot of things to do; Hey, we got a lot of things to prove; (Yeah we got) yeah we got a lot of room to grow; (Hey) yeah we got a lot of miles to go.”
Good Feeling- Flo Rida
Sometimes, as a scientist, you have a “good feeling” about an experiment or research idea.
Blood, Sweat, and Tears – Magical Thinker featuring Dezi Paige
Science and research involves a lot of hard work.
Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) - Kelly Clarkson
The lyrics can be related to pushing through hard times during the research process and biological phenomena (like selection and drug resistance).
Sorry – Justin Bieber
Everybody makes mistakes in the lab. You have to say “sorry,” learn from the experience, and move forward.
Try Everything – Shakira
This song is about perseverance and reproducibility.
Immortals – Fall Out Boy
I think as scientists, the work that we do is “immortal” and leads to future studies and discoveries. This is also the theme song for Big Hero 6, a Disney movie with scientific research, graduate students, and robots.
Do You Remember – Jay Sean featuring Sean Paul and Lil Jon
This song makes me reflect back on my graduate school experiences and lab work.
Final Countdown – Europe
This song is perfect for the “final countdown” of an important experiment.
(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life – Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes
This song sums up my feelings after my thesis defense, when I was looking back on my graduate school experience.
Additional Information about Science and Music
For other science related music playlists, check out these articles by Elsevier: “20 science songs to beat the lab playlist blues” and “20 more science songs for your lab playlist.” There is also web content about musicians and scientists at easternblot.net.
