Having a bad day? These are the top 30 songs Brits play to keep calm
Louis Armstrong’s ‘It’s A Wonderful World’ is the song busy Brits are most likely to play to help them make it through the day, a study has found.
The soulful 1967 ballad beat The Beatles classic ‘Let it Be’ and Elton John’s ‘Your Song’.
Other popular go-to artists for taking time out include Aretha Franklin, Adele and Ed Sheeran.
A study of 2,000 adults found pop and classical are the favoured choice to help us relax.
Almost half admitted music helps them cope with their hectic lifestyle.
Modern mellow tracks in the top 30 include two of Adele’s hits, ‘Someone Like You’ and
‘Hello’, and Sam Smith’s ‘Lay Me Down’.
Coldplay, U2 and The Eagles were also defined as relaxing artists to listen to.
The research was commissioned by Rescue Remedy to encourage Brits to tune into inner positive playlists during overwhelming times.
Rescue Remedy’s brand manager, Sandra Niland, said: “It’s clear from the research that our moods and music are closely linked.
“Today’s hectic and ‘always on’ lifestyle can quickly get on top of us and everyday things from the commute to managing a balance of work, family and social life can seem overwhelming.
“We’re encouraging Brits to tune into their inner positive playlist and relate music to feelings of calm and relaxation.
“From concentrating on a piece of work to driving and commuting on public transport, music can have a big impact on managing moods.”
The research also found 43 per cent believe listening to songs helps them concentrate and over half feel ‘less worried’.
Therefore, 38 per cent listen to songs whilst ‘doing housework’, almost half have it as background noise ‘when driving’ and one in 10 put tunes on when ‘concentrating on a piece of work’.
Other times when adults are likely to rely on music include at work, when cooking and at home in general.
One quarter said they listen to songs to help them sleep and while on the daily commute.
Half of those polled feel ‘relaxed’ when hearing mellow sounds and other feelings generated from listening to music were found to be ‘positive’, ‘motivated’ and ‘happy’.
The most popular genre regularly listened to by Brits was found to be pop, followed by rock and easy listening.
But six in 10 admitted the genre of music they chose to play depends on their mood at the specific time.
During the average week, Brits listen to 56 songs, suggesting many rely on relaxing sounds to block out everyday life.
A further 53 per cent believe singing along to music tends to help them ‘calm down’.
Eight in 10 adults agree it’s important to make time for relaxation in today’s busy work and almost one quarter are not currently happy with their work/life balance.
The ideal balance was found to be an equal 50/50 split, although one sixth admitted 10 per cent work and 90 per cent life would suit them best, the OnePoll study found.
Rescue Remedy’s brand manager added: “Most of us lead such busy and demanding lives, that it’s easy not to take the time to prioritise our emotional wellbeing too.
“We’re encouraging Brits to tap into that inner positive playlist when life gets a bit hectic and remind everyone that there are lots of little things we can do to help feel more in control, balanced and equipped for whatever the day holds.”
Top 30 song which keep Brits calm
1. Louis Armstrong – What A Wonderful World
2. The Beatles – Let It Be
3. Elton John – Your Song
4. Adele – Someone Like You
5. Adele – Hello
6. Coldplay – Fix You
7. Aretha Franklin – I Say A Little Prayer
8. Enya – Orinoco Flow
9. Cat Stevens – Morning Has Broken
10. U2 – It’s a Beautiful Day
11. Dido – White Flag
12. Keane – Somewhere Only We Know
13. Ed Sheeran – Thinking Out Loud
14. Bob Dylan – Lay, Lady Lay
15. The Eagles – Peaceful Easy Feeling
16. Norah Jones – Come Away With Me
17. Bobby McFerrin – Don’t Worry Be Happy
18. Coldplay – The Scientist
19. Simon And Garfunkel – America
20. The Jackson 5 – I’ll Be There
21. David Gray – Babylon
22. Maroon 5- She Will Be Loved
23. Sam Smith – Lay Me Down
24. Katie Melua – Nine Million Bicycles
25. Ed Sheeran – The A Team
26. All Saints – Pure Shores
27. Lily Allen – Smile
28. Norah Jones – Don’t Know Why
29. Corrine Bailey Ray – Put Your Records On
30. Lana Del Rey – Summertime Sadness
* For more information, go to www.rescueremedy.co.uk