Here’s some scientific research to get your day off on the left foot. And I promise, I’m not trying to fill your head with earworms or brain fog. I just think you should know how things really are in this life. Because my illuminated opinions might not be enough for some people. (I’m sure that’s not you. Right?) Check out this information that came out on this day (10/3) in 2011:
“According to new scientific research,
Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions’ was found to be the catchiest song ever written. Musicologist, Dr Alisun Pawley, from the University of London, England, conducted research into what makes a song memorable and compiled a list of the ten ‘catchiest’ songs of all time. During the research, they discovered that sing-along songs contained four key elements: long and detailed musical phrases, multiple pitch changes in a song’s ‘hook’, male vocalists, and higher male voices making a noticeable vocal effort. Y.M.C.A. by the Village People, Sum 41’s Fat Lip, and Europe’s The Final Countdown were also in the list.”
OK, there you have it.
Official research. By a bonafide musicologist. So, it’s got to be true. Because scientific research from a bonafide expert is essentially good as gospel.
‘Nuff said.
Wait a sec. Alright, Queen was a very popular top 40 band. And the Village People got more airplay than any sane person should care to hear. But “Fat Lip” by sumbody called “Sum 41?” Uh, yeah no. (side note: I just read that “yeah no” means No in California speak. So, that’s why I used it.)
And who gets to say what the four key elements are?
Oh wait. C’mon, Tony. Remember? A bonafide musicologist. Duh.
But “long and detailed musical phrases.” Seriously? In pop music? Generally speaking that would be another yeah no. But “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” certainly fits that bill. Here’s a cool version of it:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_y7YAbq6-o)
And, a personal favorite, is Für Elise, by Beethoven. Here’s a cool version of it:
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfF0zHeU3Zs)
OK, I know you’re probably thinking, “Tony, those are classical pieces. Nobody sings along to them.” A-ha! the scientific research didn’t say best singalongs of all time. It said “catchiest songs of all time.” And when I see the phrase, “of all time,” I remember time began long before the Top 40 charts.
Yeah, the songs I shared don’t include “higher male voices making a noticeable vocal effort.” But they’re some of the catchiest songs you’ll ever hear. Except you’ll never hear them on 99% of the radio stations. And that’s too bad.
Because the music I shared has some serious health benefits.
And there’s actual scientific research to back that up.
But I guess if you’d prefer to form your arms into the letters Y, M, C, and A, health benefits of some of the greatest music ever composed aren’t really on your radar.
I know you’ll probably have those Top 40 earworms in your head now that I’ve mentioned them. But I believe they’ll vanish once you check out the music links I shared.
Beethoven and Bach might not be on your current Top 40 chart. But they should be. Mozart, too. Because your heart needs the musical connection to your Creator that their music provides.
Ignore me at your own peril.
Stay tuned,
