There are hundreds of studies that affirm that music has a positive effect on behavior and is capable of making us feel fantastic. 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 of 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, it can make us feel melancholic, and it can make us feel cheerful and energetic. But not only that, music influences the way we behave. For example, by causing us to buy more. That’s why it is even used as a 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 it to be useful in rehabilitation, education and wellness programs.
Music also reveals aspects about ourselves
Other research has also found a relationship between music and intelligence and music and personality. In addition, science has recently shown that:
- Frenzied music optimizes performance
- Music predisposes to love
- Music attenuates pain
A formula for the most effective mood-boosting songs
As the Daily Mail reports, Dr. Jacob Jolij of the University of Groningen (Netherlands) revealed the top 10 songs that make us feel the best.
To conduct the study, Jolij devised 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 put it into practice with 126 songs and compared the data he obtained with the opinions of the subjects participating in a survey conducted in the United Kingdom.
Characteristics of songs that make us feel better
Following the results, Jacob Jolij explains: “Songs with positive lyrics, a tempo of 150 beats or more and in a major third musical key are the ones that will make us feel livelier and more energetic.
This gives composers an idea of what they have to do to create motivational songs,” and he 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 cues that will also influence our mood.”
Top 10″ songs that make us feel better
With the results of the study, a list of the 10 songs that make us feel better and have a positive effect on our behavior was drawn up:
- 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)
Songs that make us feel better by decade
In addition to the “top 10” songs that make us feel better, a list of songs that make us feel better by decade was also compiled. What do you think?
- 2010s: Happy (Pharrell Williams)
- 2000s: Dancing in the Moonlight (Toploader)
- Decade of the 90’s: Let Me Entertain You (Robbie Williams)
- Decade of the 80’s: Uptown Girl (Billy Joel)
- Decade of the 70’s: Don’t Stop Me Now (Queen)
- Decade of the 60’s: Good Vibrations (The Beach Boys)
