The right song can be a natural mood booster and an adrenaline rush when you need a boost – and a new study reveals the best songs for just that.
An analysis of almost 1,000 ‘feel good’ playlists created by Spotify users has identified the top 10 perhaps most universal songs to cheer someone up – with Aussie chart-topper Vance Joy’s 2013 hit ‘Riptide’ at number An.
The song, which helped Joy beat Lady Gaga’s ‘Poker Face’ into the Australian Top 100 singles chart, appeared in 12.3 percent of the ‘feel good’ playlists surveyed (122 out of 993).
Millennial karaoke staple ‘Mr. The Killers’ Brightside came in second (11.7 percent) and appeared on 116 of the feel good playlists surveyed through Spotify’s Playlist Miner tool, as did Harry Styles’ “As It Was” and ” Heat Waves’ by Glass Animals.
A new survey of 993 ‘feel good’ playlists on Spotify has identified the top 10 perhaps most universal songs to cheer someone up, with 2013 hit from Australian chart-topper Vance Joy (pictured above) ‘Riptide’ coming in at number one
| Artist | Song | Number of playlist appearances | Share of playlist appearances |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vance Joy | deluge | 122 | 12.30% |
| The murderers | Mr. Brightside | 116 | 11.70% |
| Harry Styles | Like it was | 116 | 11.70% |
| Glass animals | Heat waves | 116 | 11.70% |
| Closet | Hey Yes! | 106 | 10.70% |
| Neon trees | Everyone talks | 105 | 10.60% |
| Walk the moon | Shut up and dance | 104 | 10.50% |
| MKTO | Classic | 103 | 10.40% |
| Cold play | Viva La Vida | 103 | 10.40% |
| Earth, Wind | September | 101 | 10.20% |
“If you can’t find that perfect playlist,” the researchers noted, “you’ll constantly be flicking through countless ones.”
“These findings address this concern by offering a list of Americans’ favorite songs that are guaranteed to change your day.”
The presence of so many contemporary and recent hits surprised those who conducted the survey, who noted that Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers” entered the top 20 “despite being released only within the past year.”
Cyrus’ ode to self-care appeared on 95 playlists, meaning nearly one in 10 Spotify users surveyed reached for it when they needed a pick-me-up.
The oldest song to crack the top 10 was Earth, Wind & Fire’s beloved smooth disco classic “September,” which proved its worth as a wedding reception with appearances on 10.2 percent of these “feel good” lists (101 of the 993).
Previous scientific research conducted by a music psychologist Dr. Michael Bonshor from the University of Sheffield last year also noted the ‘feel good’ staying power of the hit Earth, Wind & Fire.
Millennial karaoke staple ‘Mr. The Killers’ Brightside (above) came in second (11.7 percent) and appeared on 116 of the “feel good” playlists surveyed through Spotify’s Playlist Miner tool, as did Harry Styles’ “As It Was ‘ and ‘Heat Waves’ by Glass Animals
Hip-hop duo Outkast’s once-ubiquitous early 2000s hit ‘Hey Ya’ was right in the middle of this ‘feel good’ top ten, claiming the fifth spot, with the tune from rappers Big Boi and André 3000 (pictured above) landing at 106. of 993 playlists (10.7 percent)
Also there, “September” was at No. 10 on a list of many older mid-century radio classics, including The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations” and the “Godfather of Soul” “I Got You (I Feel Good)” yourself. ,James Brown.
“We like high volume when it comes to the way our upbeat songs are created,” said Dr. Bonshor, ‘featuring notes played in a clear and bouncy manner by instruments such as trumpets or electric guitars rather than softer instruments.’
“In addition, upbeat songs usually have a solid 1-2-1-2 beat,” the psychologist added, “so you can dance along.”
The research of Dr. Bonshor was commissioned by yoghurt brand Müllerlight, and this new study into Spotify’s ‘feel good’ playlists had its own unexpected sponsor.
The research was created by Bonus Ninja, a site that says it helps compare and research online casino services for audiences in Ontario, Canada. The site’s staff, according to the parent company’s LinkedIn page Media investmentsis mainly located in the Eastern European country of Estonia.
“More than a decade after its release, Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy’s Riptide continues to bring smiles to fans,” a Bonus Ninja spokesperson said.
Early 2000s hip-hop duo Outkast’s once-ubiquitous hit “Hey Ya” was in the middle of this “feel good” top ten, claiming the fifth spot, with the song by rappers Big Boi and André 3000 landing on 106 playlists (10, 7 percent).
Just below them was a band that rose to fame by opening for The Killers on tour in 2008: Neon Trees, whose song Everybody Talks appeared on 105 Spotify playlists labeled ‘feel good’ (10.6 percent).