The happiest songs in the world, according to science (2024)

When you're feeling down, there's nothing quite like a happy song to bring a smile back to your face.

Now, a music psychologist has discovered the formula for the happiest songs in the world - and the tune that best follows it is 'Good Vibrations' by The Beach Boys.

Dr Michael Bonshor from theUniversity of Sheffield found that the most uplifting tracks have a tempo of137 beats per minute (bpm) anda regular verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure, but are peppered with unpredictable elements like a key change or 'seventh chords'.

'We like seventh chords as they add interest,' said Dr Bonshor.

'Regular chords use three notes, whereas seventh chords add an extra note which provides a sense of musical tension and relief.'

A music psychologist has discovered the formula for the happiest song in the world - and the tune that best follows it is 'Good Vibrations' by The Beach Boys (pictured)

WORLD'S HAPPIEST SONGS, ACCORDING TO SCIENCE
Rank Song titleArtist
1 Good VibrationsThe Beach Boys
2I Got You (I Feel Good)James Brown
3House of FunMadness
4Get the Party StartedP!nk
5Uptown GirlBilly Joel
6Sun Is ShiningBob Marley
7I Get AroundThe Beach Boys
8YMCAVillage People
9WaterlooABBA
10SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire

Taking the second and third spots on the list of world's happiest songs are 'I Got You (I Feel Good)' by James Brown and 'House of Fun' by Madness respectively.

THE FORMULA FOR A HAPPY SONG

Key: Major

Tempo: 137 beats per minute

Time signature: Four strong beats to a bar

Tone: Bright

Volume: Loud

Structure: Verse-chorus-verse-chorus

Other features: Seventh chords, short introduction, repeated riffs, elements of surprise (eg key change)

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Through his research, commissioned byyogurt brand Müllerlight,DrBonshor found that songs are generally perceived as happier when they are in the major key.

'Alongside this, cheery songs usually have a strong 1-2-1-2 beat to them, so that you can dance along,' he said.

'A short introduction means that the song kicks off with a bang straight away, and there's not a long build up.

'We like high volume when it comes to how our happy songs are made, with notes played in a bright and bouncy way by instruments such as trumpets or electric guitars instead of mellower instruments.

'Finally, a repetitive rhythm or guitar riff that people can latch onto and becomes memorable is the cherry on the cake.'

All of these elements have been combined into a track called 'The Lighter Note', which is scientifically proven to help bust the winter blues.

A survey of 2,000 Brits found that two thirds listen to music to cheer them up, and 40 per cent cite cold weather and dark nights as a reason for needing it.

Indeed, 71 per cent said that music is one the most powerful influences on their mood.

Taking the second and third spots on the list of world's happiest songs are 'I Got You (I Feel Good)' by James Brown and 'House of Fun' by Madness respectively. The 'YMCA', by Village People (left) came eighth and 'Uptown Girl' by Billy Joel (right) came fifth

On average, participants had eight songs that do not fail to put a spring in their step, and only need to listen to 14 seconds of them to get there.

Pop is seen as the happiest genre by most of those surveyed, but 69 per cent also said they like to listen a variety of types of music.

When asked which song gets them in the best mood, those from the North East, South East, Wales and Northern Ireland all said 'Don't Stop Me Now' by Queen.

'Dancing Queen' by ABBA was deemed the happiest song in Scotland, Yorkshire, the North West, East Midlands and East Anglia, according to the interactive map.

Music lovers in the South West and West Midlands went on-the-nose with 'Walking on Sunshine' by Katrina and the Waves, and Londoners say 'Happy' by Pharrell Williams is the cheeriest.

What your favourite song lyrics say about your romantic attachment style

Researchers from the University of Toronto say that the words to our most-loved tunes reveal our attachment style.

Individuals with a 'secure' attachment style are comfortable with proximity, while 'avoidant' people may pull away when their partner gets too close.

An 'anxious' attachment style indicates that the person tends to be overly attentive of their partner and seeks constant reassurance of their bond.

Lyrics like 'guess she gave you things that I did not give to you' from Adele's 'Someone Like You' reflect an anxious attachment style, according to the study.

Individuals with an avoidant attachment style may gravitate towards Tina Turner's 'What's Love Got to do With It?', which includes the words 'who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?'.

However, those with a secure attachment style may like 'there ain't no hill or mountain we cannot climb' fromSonny & Cher's 'I Got You Babe'.

Read more here

The happiest songs in the world, according to science (2024)

FAQs

What is the scientifically happiest song? ›

His study revealed that “Good Vibrations” by The Beach Boys is the top song that makes people the happiest. Dr. Bonshor says the structure of the 1966 hit single checks all of the boxes when it comes to producing positive emotions in listeners. Other songs that follow Dr.

What music is scientifically proven to make you happy? ›

Pop, rock, and dance are the Top 3 ranked happiest genres of music. 71% feel music is one of the most powerful influences for changing or reinforcing their mood.

What is the happiest song in the universe? ›

Scientists Reveal The Happiest Song Of All Time
  • Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys.
  • I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown.
  • House Of Fun by Madness.
  • Get The Party Started by P! nk.
  • Uptown Girl by Billy Joel.
  • Sun Is Shining by Bob Marley.
  • I Get Around by The Beach Boys.
  • YMCA by Village People.
Feb 17, 2023

What song makes people feel the happiest? ›

StudyFinds reports that a university professor claims to have found a scientific formula to discover what song makes people the happiest, with The Beach Boys' “Good Vibrations” topping the list.

What is the best song ever scientifically proven? ›

Well, Gizmondo gathered a team of neuroscientists and music experts to get to the bottom of this, and, naturally, 'Africa' by Toto came out on top.

What is scientifically the most calming song? ›

When a researcher and a musical group teamed up with sound therapists from the British Academy of Sound Therapy, they claimed to compose a song that is scientifically proven to alleviate stress and anxiety. The track Weightless, by the band Marconi Union, has been dubbed, “the world's most relaxing song.”

What is the saddest song in the universe? ›

What's the saddest song of all time?
  • REM – Everybody Hurts.
  • Sinead O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U.
  • Eric Clapton – Tears in Heaven.
  • Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You.
  • The Beatles – Yesterday.
  • Adele – Someone Like You.
  • Celine Dion – My Heart Will Go On.
  • Roy Orbison – Crying.
Mar 8, 2022

What music do the happiest people listen to? ›

“It is no secret that music affects your mental health, but it may surprise you that it is claimed that most jazz and metal fans are the happiest amongst music lovers. And this is for several reasons. Jazz and metal are emotive and allow us to express our emotions whilst we listen to the music, but it's two extremes.

What are songs like Happier Than Ever? ›

What is the greatest song ever? ›

Top 10 songs
RankArtistSong
1Aretha Franklin"Respect"
2Public Enemy"Fight the Power"
3Sam Cooke"A Change Is Gonna Come"
4Bob Dylan"Like a Rolling Stone"
6 more rows

What is a song for depression? ›

13 Songs About Depression
  • Here Comes The Rain Again By Eurythmics. The rain in this song symbolizes sadness and depression. ...
  • Fix You By Coldplay. ...
  • I Feel Like Dying By Lil Wayne. ...
  • Unwell by Matchbox Twenty. ...
  • Hurt By Johnny Cash. ...
  • Stressed Out by Twenty-One Pilots. ...
  • Mad World By Gary Jules. ...
  • Adam's Song By Blink 182.
Nov 21, 2022

What kind of music is happier than ever? ›

Musically, Happier Than Ever is a subdued, pop, electropop, downtempo, and jazz-pop record, incorporating elements of R&B, techno, country, bossa nova, bedroom pop, trip hop, folk, electro, trap, and 1990s sophisti-pop.

What is scientifically the most catchy song? ›

The study analyzed over 12,000 songs from different genres and eras and used a computer algorithm to determine the songs' catchiness. According to the study, the catchiest song of all time is "Wannabe" by the Spice Girls, released in 1996.

What is the best music to listen to scientifically? ›

Classical Music

Researchers have long claimed that listening to classical music can help people perform tasks more efficiently. This theory, which has been dubbed "the Mozart effect," suggests that listening to classical composers can enhance brain activity and act as a catalyst for improving health and well-being.

What is scientifically the saddest song? ›

Of course, R.E.M.'s anthemic 'Everybody Hurts' takes the second spot, but the saddest song of all time, according to science, is Nirvana's 'Something In The Way'. Recorded on a four-string charity shop guitar, the track, recorded for Nevermind, remains a gut-wrenching tune.

What is the song that scientifically puts you to sleep? ›

But according to a team of neuroscientists from Mindlab International, the number one most relaxing song in the world is “Weightless,” commissioned by the British Academy of Sound Therapy, whose mission is to improve health and well-being using therapeutic sound, and written by British ambient band Marconi Union.

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