Think about that question while you read on.

Dr Michael Bonshor is the Course Director of the MA in Music Psychology in Education, Performance and Wellbeing at the University of Sheffield.

Using a special formula Bonshor found in a news study commissioned by the yogurt brand Müllerlight, that the happiest-sounding songs are in a major key.

To create a happy song, Bonshor believes the combination of a major key, 7th chords, 137 BPM, strong beat, four beats in every bar, and a verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure is a guaranteed way to produce a happy beat. It should also have a short intro, repeated riffs, high volume, bright tone, and a mix of predictability and surprise.

 “Previous studies have found songs are perceived as happy if they are in a major key, with a sweet spot of approximately 137 beats per minute,” Bonshor said. “We like ‘7th chords’ as they add interest; regular chords use three notes, whereas ‘7th chords’ add an extra note which provides a sense of musical ‘tension’ and ‘relief.’

“Cheery songs usually have a strong 1-2-1-2 beat to them so that you can dance along – and a short introduction means the song kicks off with a bang straight away, and there’s not a long build up.

“We like high volume when it comes to how our happy songs are made, with notes played in a bright and bouncy way by instruments such as trumpets or electric guitars instead of mellower instruments. Finally, a repetitive rhythm or guitar riff that people can latch onto and becomes memorable is the cherry on the cake.”

Research from a poll also found 46 % of adults say singing along to their favorite tracks is a great way to boost their mood. Of those who have specific tunes they turn to in order to cheer them up, on average, they have eight numbers that do the trick.

Nearly six in 10 (58%) say these songs have an upbeat feel to them, and the same percentage say they remind them of good memories which put a smile on their face. Meanwhile, 38 percent say most of their happy tracks were released during their teenage years.

Research also finds that it takes an average of just 14 seconds for these songs to start working their magic.

Pop, rock, and dance rank as the three happiest genres of music, while 71% feel music is one of the most powerful influences for changing their mood.

Why is music so important to people? According to 48% say the powerful memories it can evoke is the key reason and 29% enjoy that they can share music with others.

Another 36%% even put on uplifting music around loved ones when they are feeling down to try and lift their spirits.

OK. Have you thought about the question in the title above?

What song makes you the happiest?

You think it wound up in the research?

Let’s find out.

Top 10 Happy Songs According to Dr. Bonshor’s Formula:


10) “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire

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9) “Waterloo” by ABBA

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8) “YMCA” by The Village People

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7) “I Get Around” by The Beach Boys

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6) “Sun is Shining” by Bob Marley

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5) “Uptown Girl” by Bill Joel

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4) “Get the Party Started” by P!nk

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3) “House of Fun “ by Madness

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2) “I Got You” (I Feel Good) by James Brown

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And the #1 song according to Bonshor’s research that makes people the happiest…

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I dunno. I disagree. Big time.

What about…

BONUS

Speaking of the The Beatles…

Saturday is Yoko Ono’s 90th birthday.

That would be a big fat ‘so what.’