Do you have a song that always makes you feel happy when you listen to it?Â
New research surveying over 200 people found that music is one of the most powerful influences on their mood. Two thirds (64 percent) of the respondents said they listen to music to cheer them up, most often when they are lonely (43 percent), sad (42 percent) or when it’s cold and dark outside (40 percent).Â
If we can use music to cheer us up, then the question is - what music should we listen to?Â
British scientist Dr Michael Bonshor came up with a new formula to determine the happiest songs in the world, and with it developed a playlist for the top 10 tunes to bring a smile to your face.Â
The formula includes songs having a short intro, written in a major key with a tempo of 137 beats per minute, four beats in every bar, a verse-chorus-verse structure, a mostly predictable sequence with one or two elements of surprise like a key change or the introduction of seventh chords.Â
(Happy song formula=Major key + 137 BPM + 7th chords + strong beat + 4 beats in every bar + short intro + (verse+chorus)2 + repeated riffs + high volume + bright tone + (predictability*surprise)Â
According to the formula, the top 10 scientifically happy songs are: Â
Good Vibrations by The Beach BoysÂ
I Got You (I Feel Good) by James BrownÂ
House of Fun by MadnessÂ
Get the Party Started by P!nkÂ
Uptown Girl by Billy JoelÂ
Sun Is Shining by Bob MarleyÂ
I Get Around by The Beach BoysÂ
YMCA by Village PeopleÂ
Waterloo by ABBAÂ
September by Earth, Wind & FireÂ
The research was sponsored by yogurt company Muller Light, and they have turned the results into the perfect happy playlist: The Lighter Note https://soundcloud.com/mullerlightÂ
If you don't agree with the list that's OK, while the survey found that 49 percent of people found pop music made them the happiest, 12 percent of people found their happiness in classical music, and 13 percent in R&B so while this playlist might follow a scientific formula, it doesn't mean it's the perfect formula for you.Â
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