When you’re feeling down, there’s nothing better than an upbeat song to put a smile back on your face.
Now a music psychologist has discovered the formula for the “happiest songs in the world” – and the tune that best represents it is “Good Vibrations” by “The Beach Boys”, writes BGNES, referring to “Daily Mail”.
Dr Michael Bonshore of the University of Sheffield found that the most uplifting songs had a tempo of 137 beats per minute (bpm) and a regular verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure, but were interspersed with unpredictable elements such as key changes or “sevenths chords”.
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“We like seventh chords because they add interest,” says Dr. Bonshore. “Regular chords use three notes, while seventh notes add an extra note that creates a sense of musical tension and relief.”
James Brown’s “I Got You (I Feel Good)” and Madness’ “House of Fun” are second and third on the list of the happiest songs in the world, respectively.
During his research, Dr. Bonshore found that, in general, songs were perceived as happier when they were in a major key. Also, upbeat songs usually have a strong 1-2-1-2 beat so you can dance along.
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“The short intro means the song starts with a bang right away, and no long build-up is needed. We love high volume when it comes to the way our happy songs are created, with notes played in a bright and loud way from instruments like trumpets or electric guitars instead of softer instruments. Finally, the icing on the cake is a repetitive beat or guitar riff that people can remember and that becomes memorable,” Dr. Bonshore further explains.
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All these elements are combined in a song called “The Lighter Note”, which is scientifically proven to help overcome winter discomfort. A survey of 2,000 Britons found that two-thirds of them listen to the song to cheer themselves up, with 40% citing cold weather and dark nights as the reason they need it. In fact, 71% say music is one of the biggest influences on their mood.
Most of those polled think pop music is the happiest genre, but 69% also say they enjoy listening to different types of music.
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When asked which song puts them in the best mood, residents of North East Europe, South East Europe, Wales and Northern Ireland say it’s Queen’s Don’t Stop Me Now.
In Scotland, Yorkshire, the North West, the East Midlands and the East of England, the happiest song is ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”.
Music lovers in the South West and West Midlands chose ‘Walking on Sunshine’ by ‘Katrina and the Waves’, while Londoners said Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’ was the most upbeat.
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