NEW YORK — Just about everyone has a song that instantly puts a smile on their face. Some tunes strike a person’s happiness chord easier than others. A new survey says there’s one song from the ’70s that hits that note better than any other.
A poll of 1,300 adults ranging in age from 30 to 55 has crowned the Electric Light Orchestra’s “Mr. Blue Sky” the happiest song ever. Despite dozens of other classics vying for the title, the 1978 hit was selected by a fifth of all respondents.
“I’m really chuffed about it, it’s great. What a great thing. Thank you so much,” ELO co-founder and rocker Jeff Lynne said in a statement. Lynne also shared the honor on his Facebook page and Twitter account.
The survey, commissioned by Greatest Hits Radio, released the top 50 songs it says are most likely to put you in a good mood. Researchers add that 58 percent of adults say the songs which made them the happiest were the ones released in their youth.
Greatest Hits Radio presenter Pat Sharp explains that music can have a powerfully uplifting effect on listeners, especially those still dealing with the coronavirus lockdown.
“As the home of the Good Times and the biggest songs of the 70s 80s and 90s, we always believed that there was a strong and positive connection between our listeners’ formative years and feelings of nostalgia and happiness, and this survey confirms that,” Sharp said.
The Best Of The Rest
Coming in second was Queen’s “Don’t Stop Me Now” followed by the Bee Gee’s disco classic “Stayin’ Alive.” Here are the hits that made the poll’s top 10 happiest tunes:
- Mr Blue Sky – ELO
- Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
- Stayin’ Alive -Bee Gees
- Dancing Queen – Abba
- Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi
- Come on Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners
- You Can Call Me Al – Paul Simon
- Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
- Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
- Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley
Also making this happy list’s top 50 were Prince’s “1999,” Elton John’s “Crocodile Rock,” and two hits from the 1978 film “Grease” — “You’re the one that I Want” and “Summer Nights.”
Music’s Nostalgic Magic
Researchers say 85 percent of the respondents connected their happiest year for music with their “best days and life experiences.” Over 70 percent of the survey said they’ve been listening to the radio “a lot more” to help lift their spirits during their COVID-19 quarantine.
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“We associate the song to good times from the past. To some extent we get transported back there,” behavioral scientist and broadcaster Paul McKenna said. “We begin to create all the neuro chemical changes, and all the happy neurotransmitters that are associated with a certain song that uplifts us, get released again.”
McKenna adds the best thing to do during the coronavirus lockdown is turn on the music and make yourself happy; it’s the best medicine for your mental health.
TOP 50 HAPPIEST SONGS:
1. Mr Blue Sky – Elo
2. Don’t Stop Me Now – Queen
3. Stayin’ Alive -Bee Gees
4. Dancing Queen – Abba
5. Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi
6. Come on Eileen – Dexys Midnight Runners
7. You Can Call Me Al – Paul Simon
8. Walking on Sunshine – Katrina and the Waves
9. Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
10. Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley
11. Wake Up Boo – The Boo Radleys
12. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun- Cyndi Lauper
13. You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real) – Sylvester
14. Livin La Vida Loca – Ricky Martin
15. You’re The One That I Want – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
16. Good Times – Chic
17. Crocodile Rock – Elton John
18. Flashdance What a Feeling – Irene Cara
19. December 1963 (Oh What a Night) – Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
20. That’s The Way I Like It – KC and the Sunshine Band
21. Celebration – Kool and the Gang
22. 1999 – Prince
23. Finally – Ce Ce Peniston
24. You’re The First The Last My Everything – Barry white
25. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston
26. Summer Nights – John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John
27. Jump (For My Love) – Pointer Sisters
28. I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
29. Footloose – Kenny Loggins
30. Dancing in the Street – Martha Reeves & The Vandellas
31. Don’t Stop – Fleetwood Mac
32. Let’s Groove – Earth Wind & Fire
33. Into the Groove – Madonna
34. I’m Too Sexy – Right Said Fred
35. Walk Like An Egyptian – Bangles
36. You Should Be Dancing – Bee Gees
37. Always On My Mind – Pet Shop Boys
38. Hot Stuff – Donna Summer
39. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
40. Dancing on the Ceiling – Lionel Richie
41. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough – Diana Ross
42. Sweet Child o’ Mine – Guns n’ Roses
43. Move on Up – Curtis Mayfield
44. Take on Me – A-ha
45. Le Freak – Chic
46. I’m Gonna Be (500 miles) – Proclaimers
47. We Are Family – Sister Sledge
48. I’ll Be There for You – Rembrandts
49. Ain’t Nobody – Rufus & Chaka Khan
50. You Sexy Thing – Hot Chocolate