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Yet another listener has sent in a youtube that makes us stop what we’re doing and gather around ye olde computer screen to gaze upon its offerings. Darn you, Ross Bennett, for indulging our desire to procrastinate! You want to us to finish Season 5, don’t you? Alas. This one’s too good not to pass along. Behold, the transcendent power of lullabies:

Here’s what listener Ross Bennet thought about the video:

It’s a short video of a man singing a song to a litter of very active but attentive boxer puppies. The instant he begins singing, the entire litter of puppies begins shuffling around for a place to sleep like some narcoleptic version of musical chairs. By the time he’s been through two refrains of “Goodnight, Sweetheart” the pups are out cold. It’s definitely worth the 1:40 to watch it.

Now watch closely. This is more than just providing a soothing sound that creates a comforting environment conducive to relaxation. There’s something triggering sleep. These puppies zonk out as quickly as a trained dog will “sit” or “shake.”

As I’m watching this, recalling your episodes on sleep and musical language, so many questions come to mind.

What is a lullaby?
What is this connection between music and sleep?
Is this an inborn trait that we reinforce to become a conditioned behavior? Or is there something else going on here?
What makes a good lullaby?
Who was the brilliant person who hit on the idea of a bedside clock radio with a sleep timer?
Have there been any clinical studies about using music to treat insomnia?
And what exactly is insomnia? Could it be a lack of music?
What does a lullaby look or feel like to a synaesthesia patient? Do they look or feel different than other music?