This article first appeared in theSun BUZZ International Day of Happiness edition HERE
It’s universally known that music can lift our moods when we’re down. If you’re ever in doubt, a researcher in cognitive neuroscience Dr Jacob Jolij published a study that proves listening to music can make us happier.
Dr Jolij even went as far as to come up with a unique formula to ascertain which songs are scientifically proven to cheer us right up.
He studied several songs and judged the tunes by various criteria such as the right tempo (the average tempo of 140 to 150 beats per minute), the positivity of the words and whether the song is played in a major or minor key.
Based on these criteria, he shortlisted ten songs that are proven to make listeners happy. These songs include Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen, Dancing Queen by Abba, Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper.
Dr Jolij’s study was done years ago so the listed songs are dated yet they remain classics to this day.
That said, the song criteria could be different now due to the emergence of different music genres and artists experimenting with new sounds. Regardless, there will always be upbeat tunes to lift our spirits no matter which year we’re in.
To get a dose of happy pill, here are some songs that will put you in a cheerier mood in 2021:
1. Dynamite - BTS
2. I Can’t Stop Me – Twice
3. Physical – Dua Lipa
4. Lovesick Girls – BLACKPINK
5. Blinding Lights – The Weeknd
6. Better Days – Ant Clemons ft Justin Timberlake
7. I Need You – Jon Batiste
8. Best Friend – Saweetie ft Doja Cat
9. Mood – 24kGoldn ft iann dior
10. Watch Me Glow – DOLLA
11. Midnight Sky- Miley Cyrus
12. Ungodly Hour – Chloe x Halle
13. Helpless - Phillipa Soo and the cast of Hamilton
Now that we’ve explained the science part of things ... why not spend a happy evening chilling with your favourite songs?
Find out how to find little joys in life with the 30-day Coping Calendar and ideas from fellow Malaysians.
