Whale tales

Sailors used to think that the haunting melodies of the sea came from ghosts, sirens or other mythical sea creatures. It seemed that the songs must be a kind of magic rising through the waves.

Over the years, even as we discovered the source of each chorus, whale song has hardly become less confusing. We did not know how they make such curious vocalisations - or, perhaps more importantly, why.

Now scientists have worked out how whales sing. Recent research has shown that humpbacks and other baleen whalesBaleen whales have baleen in their mouths, which act like big sieves to filter food from water. have a "voice box" which has evolved to allow them to sing underwater.

According to scientists, humpback whales can spread their song from one population to another for thousands of miles across the ocean.¹

Whale language is quite complex. The whales make short sounds, called units, which are combined into phrases. The phrases are combined into themes. And several themes make up a whale song.

Nobody knows for sure why so many species of whale sing in the dark depths. Many researchers believe that their music is meant to attract female mates for the male.

Amusingly, some think that male whales add special twists to their song to stand out to female suitors amongst their peers. Sometimes, scientists say, they will copy another male's song that they think is more impressive than their own.

In other words, we have much in common with the whale. Their sad songs are similar to the melancholyA feeling of sadness. verses of our great poets and playwrights.

They remind us of who we really are, connecting us with the power of music. Their songs teach us to appreciate beauty for its own sake. So why are we so desperate not to listen?

If they could talk, they might remind us to return to a life of simplicity: living in communities, singing in chorus, drifting through the cool depths, letting the sunlight hit our skin.

Could they save the world?

Yes: Whales remind us of everything that is important: peace over war, beauty over horror, connectivity over loneliness, simplicity over the endless distractions and complications of modernity. If we listened to them, we could save the world.

No: Whale song is nice to listen to, but it ultimately just has a biological function: to allow whales to mate. There is no deeper significance.

Or... Whale song could help us to return to our roots and become happier. But unfortunately, we are drowning it out with all the sonic pollution we make in the sea. Soon the whales will fall silent.