This research report shows the discussion on the expansive literature available on the effects of background music on memory recall and distraction. Given the limited nature of past research and inconsistent results, the results collected through the methodologies show the existing relation between background music and memory retention. This research study strived to clarify the effects of background music on memory and focus, for which findings have been inconsistent from past studies, and the purpose: to clarify how playing background music during cognitive tasks effects memory retention and distraction.  The participants were first required to memorize a list of twenty words and then recall the words.  In the second phase, the participants memorized a list of twenty words with music (of the researchers’ choosing) playing in the background.  For both phases, the researchers asked the participants to write to the best of their ability recall the as many of the twenty words from the list from memory.  We anticipated that music will have a positive effect on the participants’ memory recall in addition to enhancing their memory concentration. 

Keywords:  cognition, memory, focus, information, recollection, music