New study: The best rock songs to improve your mood and beat the winter doldrums
Music, the love of music, and the appreciation of certain genres of music can be a very personal and individualized thing. But if you consider yourself a music lover, you already know that music is not only considered the universal language – but certain songs can bring us back to a certain time and place, and certain songs can help improve our overall health, mood, and well-being. Now, a new study reveals exactly what rock songs are helping to cure the winter-time doldrums,
With the January blues hitting hard for many Americans now the month is coming to a close, a new study has revealed the country’s most favored rock music if they want to cheer themselves up. The research, conducted by Bonus Ninja, used Spotify’s Playlist Miner tool to determine the top tunes included in ‘feel-good’ related playlists and then filtered them by genre, to identify the rock songs that the U.S. listen to when they want to brighten their day.
Many people experience a dip in energy levels these days, now that life has returned to the normality of everyday routines and work, and especially with the excitement of the holiday season a thing of the past. However, the right playlist can help turn a day around, with music proven to trigger the release of dopamine – whether it’s being played as you get ready in the morning, on your commute to work or as you head to the shops on your lunch break. So, according to this recent study, here are:
The Top 10 Feel-Good Rock Songs, Ranked
Riptide by Vance Joy – Over 10 years on from its release, Australian singer songwriter Vance Joy’s Riptide is still making fans smile – so much so the track is the most featured song on the playlists people turn to when they fancy listening to uplifting music. With an upbeat tune and catchy lyrics, you’ll be singing along without even realizing. It’s no wonder it featured on over a tenth (12.3%) of all the playlists scanned, included in 122 of the 993.
Mr. Brightside by The Killers – Unsurprisingly, the iconic hit Mr. Brightside – arguably the American band’s most successful song – is The Killers’ claim to fame in the top 10, making it onto 116 of the ‘feel-good’ music compilations (11.7%). The beat of this dance-rock tune guarantees you won’t feel like you’ve woken up on the wrong side of the bed.
Everybody Talks by Neon Trees – In third is Neon Trees’ Everybody Talks, a banger from both the indie rock and pop rock genres which will have any tiredness from the day soon forgotten. The hit by the popular rock band, who actually have The Killers to thank for their nationwide recognition after opening several tour dates for them back in 2008, follows behind Mr. Brightside at 105 mentions (10.6% of playlists).
Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon – The fast-paced nature of this alternative rock song will have any negative feelings dispersed in seconds, so it’s no wonder Walk the Moon’s Shut Up and Dance features on 104 playlists (10.5%) designed to leave Americans feeling positive.
Hey, Soul Sister by Train – It’s near impossible not to unconsciously tap your feet and bop along to the unmistakable beat of this pop-rock song. Train’s Hey, Soul Sister earned a spot on 100 (10.1%) of the playlists, and a sing-along to it can be just what you need to give your mind a break from whatever is causing you stress.
Tongue Tied by GROUPLOVE – Tongue Tied is the final hit to claim a spot in the top five, belonging to both the modern rock and indie rock genres. GROUPLOVE has the tune to thank for their first number-one single, as it topped the ranking on the Billboard Alternative Songs chart back when it was released in 2012. It now appears on 90 (10%) of feel-good playlists.
Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears – Following closely behind is Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Tears for Fears at 98 (9.9%) mentions. It’s not surprising this is a popular choice, as the song boasts both captivating lyrics and a powerful message.
Counting Stars by OneRepublic – Placing eighth, Counting Stars’ fast-paced tempo is definitely a good option if you want to switch up a slow day. The rock hit by OneRepublic is included in 93 (9.4%) of all the playlists created to perk up Americans’ moods.
Electric Love by BØRNS Inspiring feelings of euphoria from start to finish, Electric Love scores a rightful spot in the top 10 with BØRNS mentioned 92 (9.3%) times thanks to the hit.
Best Day of My Life by American Authors The clue is in the name with American Authors’ Best Day of My Life. Included in 91 (9.2%) of the feel-good playlists, the pop and modern rock song creates positive thoughts not only with its lyrics but also its upbeat rhythm.
| Artist | Song | Number of Playlist Appearances |
| Vance Joy | Riptide | 122 |
| The Killers | Mr. Brightside | 116 |
| Neon Trees | Everybody Talks | 105 |
| WALK THE MOON | Shut Up and Dance | 104 |
| Train | Hey, Soul Sister | 100 |
| GROUPLOVE | Tongue Tied | 99 |
| Tears for Fears | Everybody Wants To Rule The World | 98 |
| OneRepublic | Counting Stars | 93 |
| BØRNS | Electric Love | 92 |
| American Authors | Best Day Of My Life | 91 |
Commenting on the findings, a Bonus Ninja spokesperson says: “With the excitement of the holiday season over and many of us having to tighten our belt straps after an expensive couple of months, it’s normal to find ourselves feeling low in January.”
“Listening to music is a notoriously good way to boost your mood if you are feeling down in the dumps, with lyrics and rhythms having an ability like no other tool to affect our emotions. Take advantage of the power it can have and if you find yourself sinking into a bad mood, put it on. Or, even just play some anyway even if you wake up feeling fine – it’ll put you in the best position to have a good day.
And with the help of these findings, you don’t even need to spend ages trying to decide on the right music to pick.”
And as an added bonus, see the The Top 30 Feel-Good Rock Songs, Ranked below, according to the Spotify genres listed on Chosic.
Top 30 songs, ranked
| Song | Number of times the song appears on feel-good playlist |
| Vance Joy – Riptide | 122 |
| The Killers – Mr. Brightside | 116 |
| Neon Trees – Everybody Talks | 105 |
| WALK THE MOON – Shut Up and Dance | 104 |
| Train – Hey, Soul Sister | 100 |
| GROUPLOVE – Tongue Tied | 99 |
| Tears for Fears – Everybody Wants to Rule the World | 98 |
| OneRepublic – Counting Stars | 93 |
| BØRNS – Electric Love | 92 |
| American Authors – Best Day of My Life | 91 |
| Gorillaz – Feel Good Inc. | 86 |
| Fleetwood Mac – Dreams-2024 Remaster | 84 |
| Of Monsters and Men – Little Talks | 83 |
| One Republic – I Ain’t Worried | 83 |
| Queen – Don’t Stop Me Now-Remastered 2011 | 83 |
| The Neighbourhood – Sweater Weather | 78 |
| Fitz and the Tantrums – Out of My League | 78 |
| Capital Cities – Safe and Sound | 77 |
| Foster The People – Pumped Up Kicks | 75 |
| Hozier – Take Me to Church | 75 |
| Smash Mouth – All Star | 74 |
| The Lumineers – Ophelia | 74 |
| Journey – Don’t Stop Believin (2022 Remaster) | 73 |
| Elton John – Cold Heart-PNAU Remix | 72 |
| Panic! At the Disco – High Hopes | 71 |
| The Goo Goo Dolls – Iris | 70 |
| Bastille – Pompeii | 70 |
| Florence + The Machine – Dog Days Are Over | 70 |
| Electric Light Orchestra – Mr. Blue Sky | 69 |
| Daryl Hall & John Oates – You Make My Dreams (Come True) | 69 |
And with 558 million views to date, check out Vance Joy’s “Riptide” official music video below.
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(Source: Bonus Ninja, using Spotify’s Playlist Miner tool)
(Cover photo, Image credit: Electric Light Orchestra / Facebook)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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