The 10 Songs That Bring Us the Most Happiness (According to Science)

Music profoundly impacts human emotions and behavior, often used for motivation and mood enhancement. Scientific inquiry has even pinpointed specific songs capable of instantly boosting well-being, applying a unique formula to identify the most uplifting pop tracks.

Music Transforms Behavior

Music’s influence extends beyond mere emotional shifts, inducing relaxation, melancholy, joy, or energy. It also subtly shapes behavior, even influencing consumer choices. This profound effect has led to the development of music therapy, a recognized form of intervention.

Music Therapy’s Impact

Music therapy engages the brain on emotional, cognitive, and physical levels. Numerous studies endorse its efficacy in rehabilitation, education, and programs aimed at improving overall wellness.

Music Reveals Personal Insights

Research further links musical preferences to intelligence and personality traits. Recent scientific findings highlight several key effects:

• Energetic music optimizes performance.
• Music can predispose individuals to love.
• Music is capable of attenuating pain perception.

A Formula for Uplifting Songs

As reported by the Daily Mail, Dr. Jacob Jolij from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands developed a mathematical formula to quantify a song’s “feel-good” potential. His research identified the top 10 songs most effective at improving mood.

Dr. Jolij’s formula, depicted below, assesses a song’s **Feel Good Index (FGI)**:

This equation evaluates a song based on its **Lyrics (L)**, **Beats Per Minute (BPM)**, and musical **Key (K)**. The study applied this formula to 126 songs, comparing the results with public opinion data from a UK-based survey.

Characteristics of “Feel-Good” Songs

According to Dr. Jolij, songs featuring **positive lyrics**, a tempo of **150 beats per minute or higher**, and composed in a **major third musical key** are most likely to evoke feelings of energy and upliftment. This insight offers guidance for composers aiming to create motivating music, though personal associations and memories remain a significant factor in individual mood responses to music.

The “Top 10” Feel-Good Songs

Based on the study’s findings, here are the 10 songs identified as having the most positive impact on mood:

1. Don’t Stop Me Now (Queen)
2. Dancing Queen (Abba)
3. Good Vibrations (The Beach Boys)
4. Uptown Girl (Billy Joel)
5. Eye of the Tiger (Survivor)
6. I’m a Believer (The Monkees)
7. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Cyndi Lauper)
8. Livin’ on a Prayer (Bon Jovi)
9. I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
10. Walking on Sunshine (Katrina & The Waves)

Uplifting Songs by Decade

The study also compiled a list of the most uplifting songs from recent decades:

2010s: Happy (Pharrell Williams)

2000s: Dancing in the Moonlight (Toploader)

1990s: Let Me Entertain You (Robbie Williams)

1980s: Uptown Girl (Billy Joel)

1970s: Don’t Stop Me Now (Queen)

1960s: Good Vibrations (The Beach Boys)