Sad songs say so much

[forwardone]

Sad songs say so much

December 11, 2006 12:00am

THE Drugs Don't Work by The Verve tops a list of songs which make us sad, according to a scientist.

Dr Harry Witchel, an expert in physiology and music, analysed the physical reactions to music on behalf of Nokia.

Using a shortlist compiled by the Official UK Charts Company, he measured their "tune trigger quotient" measuring heart rate, respiratory response and skin temperature to find the saddest, happiest and most exhilarating tracks.

The happiest songs were measured by contentment judged on levels of sighs per minute (indicating the recall of happy memories) plus low level of boredom.

Sad tracks were indicated by decreased heart rate and exhilarating tunes by increase in breaths per minute.

The happiest song was LDN by Lily Allen, followed by Abba's Dancing Queen and REM's Shiny Happy People.

Kylie Minogue's Spinning Around also rates as one of the happiest songs.

Most exhilarating were Blur's Song 2, Love Machine by Girls Aloud and Somebody Told Me by Killers.

The Verve beat Robbie Williams's Angels for the title of saddest song, with Elton John's Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word coming third.

"Music is undeniably powerful at triggering different emotional states," Witchel said. "Changes in tempo and frequencies induce profoundly different emotional states.

"A slow tempo song like the Verve's The Drugs Don't Work slows down the heart compared to most of the other songs and compared to white noise - in other words, it works like the emotional state of sadness.

"Also, I have to say there were many powerful and exhilarating songs we tested, and I was surprised that Blur's Song 2 could be such a clear winner among our participants."

The happiest 10 songs were:

1. Lily Allen - LDN
2. Abba - Dancing Queen
3. REM - Shiny Happy People
4. B52s - Love Shack
5. The Beatles - She Loves You
6. Beyonce - Crazy In Love
7. Britney Spears - Baby One More Time
8. Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes - I've Had The Time Of My Life
9. The Spice Girls - Spice Up Your Life
10. Kylie Minogue - Spinning Around

The saddest 10 songs were:

1. The Verve - The Drugs Don't Work
2. Robbie Williams - Angels
3. Elton John - Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word
4. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
5. Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U
6. Will Young - Leave Right Now
7. Elvis Presley - Are You Lonesome Tonight?
8. Christina Aguilera - Beautiful
9. James Blunt - Goodbye My Lover
10. Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees

The most exhilarating 10 songs were:

1. Blur - Song 2
2. Girls Aloud - Love Machine
3. Killers - Somebody Told Me
4. Prodigy - Firestarter
5. Razorlight - Rip It Up
6. Rolling Stones - Start Me Up
7. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy
8. U2 - Beautiful Day
9. Oasis - Roll With It
10. Take That - Relight My Fire

Source:- Herald Sun

[forwardone]

Who agrees with the list of top 10 songs for making people happy, sad, and exhileration?

Are there any you`d add to those lists?

[MadSquabbles]

jojo and kc's version of "lately" always bring's a little emotion to me.

does culture come in to play in this list. i see either rock or pop as dominating the lists.

[MadSquabbles]

i almost forgot the greatest ballad of the 90's, mc hammer's "have you seen her"

Ted, Dre, or Ed Lover,
Fab Five, homeys won't you help a young brother- have you seen her?

but seriously if you're looking for love rap, nothing tops ll cool j's "i need love"

[zen]

jojo and kc's version of "lately" always bring's a little emotion to me.

does culture come in to play in this list. i see either rock or pop as dominating the lists.

I agree there are many different genres of music that could have the same effect. I think one of the reasons that music has such emotional influence is that it brings up memories that relate to happy, sad or exhilarating times. It is also true that melodic sequences, the key of the music, and the tones stimulate neurotransmitters in the brain that can enhance brain function. This can also cause certain songs to stand out. The combination of melody, key, lyrics and rhythm can have a mesmorizing effect.
Think of chanting, repeated percussion, primative sounds and fire dances. Archeological finding of primitive man, Indian tribes and diverse ethnicities all have reference to the meaningfulness of music to their culture, life and times.

[Hope38]

I would not say I agree or disagree with forwardone's list as it a matter of listening/ genre preference. The same songs rub off people differently so as what zen mentioned it is more to do with emotional influences as well.

[dsfandg1]

You are right Zen. There can also be an emotional connection depending on, where, when, and with whom, the song made it's first impression on you. Every time you rehear it, it will bring back that same feeling.

[Los]

theres one song i have been trying to think of since this thread popped up, a Roy Orbison number that hits a nerve when i hear it.

[zen]

Pretty Woman? It's Over?
I love Roy, like butta.


zen

[Los]

nah not them i just cant think of it i need to hear it but dont really want to lol.