Analysis of brain activity and supporting mathematical formulas, Dutch researchers have developed the equation of happiness in music. It stimulates memory, soothes our anxieties and gives us well-being. To delight the brains of music lovers and cultivate happiness in music, research work carried out by the team at Dr. Jacob Jolija cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Groningen, compiled the list of 10 songs that make us smile.
The Happiness Song Equation
How do musical notes speak to our brain? To answer this, the scientists reviewed the tempo, scales and lyrics of the greatest Anglo-Saxon hits of the past 50 years. From this data, they have designed the recipe for the most “feel good” songs that make our hearts feel better.
According to Dr. Jacob Jolij, the equation of the song of happiness is established according to three criteria:
- a tempo of 150 beats per minute that “unconsciously triggers a feeling of energy”;
- positive words;
- the use of notes in a major scale.
“Combine these three ingredients together and you have the formula for the perfect song of happiness”, underlines the researcher with the DailyMailwho reported the study.
“A feeling of energy”
Even more impressive, listening to these songs can “unconsciously trigger a feeling of energy”, specifies the neuroscience researcher at the British site. “Using the middle finger (a class of diatonic scales) sounds joyful to our ears, it’s something we associate with confidence,” he continues.
This is how musical notes build melodies that manage to act on the brain of listeners and put them in a good mood. Here are the songs that make us happy:
- 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 Monkees
- Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Cindy Lauper
- Living on a Prayer, Bon Jovi
- I Will Survive, Gloria Gaynor
- Walking on Sunshine, Katrina & The Waves
