Got the blues? Here’s the formula for a happy tune

THERE’S nothing like a happy song to put a smile on your face.

Now a music psychologist says he has discovered the formula that determines why some tunes – such as those by The Beach Boys – are better than others at banishing the blues.

While it has long been obvious that songs in a major key tend to sound sunnier, Dr Michael Bonshor of the University of Sheffield found that a short intro and a driving beat are important factors too.

The song that best exemplifies his formula is Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys, followed by I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown and House Of Fun by Madness.

‘Cheery songs usually have a strong 1-2-1-2 beat to them, so that you can dance along,’ he said. ‘We like high volume... with notes played in a bright and bouncy way by instruments such as trumpets or electric guitars.

‘Finally, a repetitive rhythm or guitar riff that people can latch on to and that becomes memorable is the cherry on the cake.’

The most uplifting tracks have a tempo of 137 beats per minute and a regular verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure, and use a key change or seventh chords to add interest.

‘Regular chords use three notes, whereas seventh chords add an extra note which provides a sense of musical tension and relief,’ said Dr Bonshor, whose research was commissioned by Mullerlight.

However, a poll of 2,000 adults for the yoghurt brand found people’s favourite happy songs are Dancing Queen by Abba, Don’t Stop Me Now by Queen, and Walking On Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves – none of which make Dr Bonshor’s top ten.