What was the last song you listened to? How’d it make you feel? Did you tap your toes to its rhythm? Did it make you cry? Did you sing along? Did it motivate you to do something, like exercise? Such responses to music are common and beneficial to human beings. But that’s something you probably already knew, subconsciously, at least.

According to Gene Beresin, Executive Director of The Clay Center for Young Healthy Minds—an educational resource dedicated to promoting mental, emotional, and behavioral well-being—music has a human effect that reaches across cultures. Human brains, he argues, are wired for music, which is one of the main reasons for its universality.

Ever heard of the pentatonic scale? Its name might not be familiar, but its effect has been constant throughout your life. In all cultures, the pentatonic scale is a means of coordinating maternal and infant communication. Interestingly, traditional music around the world uses the pentatonic scale.

Research into why music is so powerful to humankind has revealed that we’re drawn to certain intervals of musical notes because they resemble speech. The musical intervals that convey sadness, for example, are the same intervals in human speech that convey the same emotion. In a nutshell, music makes us feel.

For example, think of a song that takes you back to a special time in your life. Maybe it was an “our song” you shared with an old love interest, or a tune you listened to with your dad while spending time together. Music has the ability to elicit emotional responses.

Bono, frontman for the rock band U2, once said he realized that fans loved the group’s songs so much, not because of the band, but because of the memories to which the songs connect in the fans’ personal lives. In this light, Bono concluded, U2’s music is about the listeners, not the music makers. This is true for any musical artist.

In addition to making us feel, music can also help us heal. Studies have proven the impact music has on stroke victims and those who suffer from dementia.

Music also has the ability to foster change. It’s common for major changes—be they political, social, or whatever—to have a theme song. For example, Fleetwood Mac’s song, “Don’t Stop,” was the theme song of the presidential campaign of Bill Clinton in 1992. Or Helen Reddy’s “I Am Woman,” which helped fuel the women’s liberation movement in the 1970s.

Changes sparked by music can also have personal meaning, such as a song that motivates you to work out, improve creativity, etc.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of music is that it connects people. Think about the last concert you attended. While everyone in attendance heard the music, the quality of the sound probably wasn’t as good as if you’d listened on headphones. However, the sense of unity with your fellow audience members was strong and might even have moved you to stand up and dance.

These benefits of music are good and powerful, but there are also other benefits that come with listening to it, including lowering stress, lowering blood pressure, and improving mood.

While it’s interesting to read these things, our innate desire for music already knew them.