The 10 songs that make us feel better (according to science)
There are hundreds of studies that claim that music has a positive effect on behavior and is able to make us feel fantastically good. Many people use it to motivate themselves, for example in the gym.
Recently, the British newspaper Daily Mail published a curious study that collected the 10 pop songs from the last 50 years that had a positive effect on our mood almost instantly.
The neuroscientist responsible for the research claims to have found an equation through which we can determine which musical themes influence our mood to a greater or lesser extent.
Music Changes Behavior
Music influences our mood in different ways: it can produce relaxation, make us feel melancholic and it can make us feel cheerful and energetic. Not only that, but music influences the way we behave. For example, by causing us to buy more. That is why it is even used as form of therapy : what is known as music therapy.
Music therapy has an effect on the brain in the emotional, cognitive and physical sense. And many studies have shown that it is useful in rehabilitation, education and in programs for improving well-being.
Music also reveals aspects about ourselves
Other research has also found links between music and intelligence and music and personality. Furthermore, recently science has shown that:
- Frantic music optimizes performance
- Music predisposes to love
- Music Mitigates Pain
A formula for finding out the most effective songs for raising spirits
As the Daily Mail reports, Dr. Jacob Jolij from the University of Groningen (Netherlands) revealed the top 10 songs that make us feel best.
To carry out the study, Jolij designed this mathematical formula:
This mathematical formula evaluates the song that makes us feel good (FGI) according to its lyrics (L), its tempo in beats per minute (BPM) and its key (K) .
The author of the study performed it with 126 songs and compared the data he obtained with the opinions of the subjects participating in a survey that was carried out in the United Kingdom.
Characteristics of songs that make us feel better
After the results, Jacob Jolij explains: “Those songs with positive lyrics, a tempo equal or superior to 150 beats and in third major key are the ones that will make us feel more animated and with more energy. This gives composers an idea of what they have to do to create motivating songs”, and adds: “Music is something intimate, related to memories and emotions, associations that determine which songs put us in a better mood. There are, however, some keys that will also influence our mood.
The “Top 10” of songs that make us feel better
The results of the study were used to draw up a list of 10 songs that make us feel better and have a positive effect on our behaviour:
- Don’t Stop Me Now (Queen)
- Dancing Queen (Abba)
- Good Vibrations (The Beach Boys)
- Uptown Girl (Billy Joel)
- Eye of the Tiger (Survivor)
- I’m a Believer (The Monkeys)
- Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)
- Livin’ on a Prayer (Jon Bon Jovi)
- I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
- Walking on Sunshine (Katrina & The Waves)
The songs that make us feel better according to the decade
In addition to the “top 10” of songs that make us feel better, a list was also made of the songs that make us feel better according to the decade. What do you think?