Happiest songs in the world revealed by scientific formula

Virgin Radio

17 Feb 2023, 09:47

Credit: Getty

We all have our go-to songs that instantly put us in a good mood, don’t we? Well, now a scientific study has worked out which ten tracks are officially the happiest in the world.

Music psychologist Michael Bonshor, who teaches at the University of Sheffield, has worked out what the perfect ingredients are to create a happy song. The doctor of music says that if you combine a major key, 7th chords, a strong beat, four beats in every bar, a verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure, and for the whole thing to be at 137 BPM, you’ve got yourself a happy song.

Also, you should give it a short intro, throw in some repeated riffs, a high volume and a mix of predictability and surprise.

The Study Finds website has shared the track that best fits in with this formula, and the other nine songs which make up a top ten of happiness.

The song at the top of the happy tree is Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys. The 1966 song featured on the band’s 12th studio album, Smiley Smile.

James Brown’s I Got You (I Feel Good) comes in second in the list, while House Of Fun by Madness takes third place.

Next in the top ten is the most modern track in the list, Get the Party Started by P!nk.

Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl makes up the top five, while, proving themselves to be the kings of feelgood belters, The Beach Boys also have another tune in the top ten, with I Get Around landing at number six.

Elsewhere in the top ten of cheerful numbers is Sun Is Shining, by Bob Marley, September by Earth, Wind & Fire, ABBA’s Waterloo and that party classic, YMCA by Village People.

Then in a detour to modern pop, legend P!nk appeared on the list with Get the Party Started, before fifth place jumped back to 1983 for Billy Joel’s classic Uptown Girl, and back again to 1971 for a bit of Bob Marley with Sun Is Shining.

Here’s the top ten of happy! Did your favourite make the list?