I believe your anecdotal evidence is wrong. Studies have shown that developers are much more productive when they have quiet and private offices. In fact, stud

I believe your anecdotal evidence is wrong. Studies have shown that developers are much more productive when they have quiet and private offices. In fact, studies have also shown that listening to music reduces productivity, with instrumental music the least bothersome. Our brains have highly developed communication abilities, language processing is a function that requires a significant part of our brains to work. Whether you are consciously aware of it or not, whenever you hear words, whether spoken or sung, your brain starts decoding them. That's reducing the amount of brain power you have remaining to work on your conscious tasks.