Music Enhances Productivity: The Science Behind The 10 Best Songs (2024)

If you’re like most people, your workload is heavy, and it probably seems to be increasing all the time. But you can tackle the demands and increase your productivity by listening to music. And there are key songs which tend to have the greatest effects on your motivation, your mood and your effectiveness.

You were probably aware of how music could improve your work outs, take your mind off household chores or pass the time during your commute—but music can actually help you work better, more efficiently and more happily. And there’s science that proves why music has such a positive impact.

The Best Songs

If you listen to music during the workday, you’re in good company. In fact, 81% listen daily, and 78% believe listening makes them more productive, according to a poll by Cloudcover Media.

Interesting analysis on 4,000 work-related Spotify playlists by TollFreeForwarding found the top songs people choose for productivity are:

  1. Drops of Jupiter by Train
  2. Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
  3. Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey
  4. Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
  5. Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles
  6. As It Was by Harry Styles
  7. I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston
  8. Closer by The Chainsmokers
  9. Circles by Post Malone
  10. Flowers by Miley Cyrus

MORE FROMFORBES ADVISOR

Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024ByKevin PayneContributor
Best 5% Interest Savings Accounts of 2024ByCassidy HortonContributor

Your choices may be different, but overall, classic rock, alternative and pop music were perceived to be the most helpful for productivity, while hip hop, heavy metal and electronic dance music (EDC) were perceived to be the most distracting, according to Cloudcover Media.

But beyond the titles and types of music, there are fascinating scientific reasons that music boosts your productivity—and these can inform your own choices.

Choose Your Favorites

Of course, you’re likely to choose music you like—at least when you’re in control or listening on personal headphones—but selecting the familiar has some powerful benefits. When you listen again and again, it’s called re-consumption, and it tends to drive greater emotional response, memory, connections with others and a shortcut to the experience you’re looking to achieve—a feeling, an energy level or a vibe. This is according to research published in the Journal of Consumer Research.

In addition to familiar choices, your favorite choices also boost performance, according to research by Keele University presented at the British Psychological Society. Listening to favorites had positive effects on everything from motivation, focus and enjoyment to reduced feelings of exertion and fatigue.

Music is also positive for your productivity because it activates the reward centers of your brain, especially when you hear a novel cord or a moment where the music shifts, according to research led by McGill University and published in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences).

So choose what you love and let the motivation and productivity flow.

Choose Beat and Base

You can also amp your productivity with choices which feature faster tempos and steady beats. You tend to get physically in sync with music, so when you can move to a beat, and feel a steady flow of effort in alignment with the music, your productivity—and your motivation and endurance—will be positively impacted, according to studies headed by Costas Karageorghis at Brunel University.

The steady beat of music is also better for productivity than music which might have a more variable tempo. A study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Inforamtion found when sound was more variable, it was more distracting. This applies to people who might be speaking around you. When the sound is more monotone, it’s easier to block out. But when the volume, tone or cadence increases or decreases, it will tend to be more distracting. And this is true for the music you work by as well. Choose a steady beat to enhance productivity and avoid distraction.

The tone of the music also matters. When people experienced music with more bass, they tended to feel greater levels of power and control—both of which influence your feelings of capability and effectiveness toward greater productivity—according to research published in Social Psychological and Personality Science.

Choose Music For Your Task

One caution is to choose music that doesn’t compete with the task you’re trying to accomplish. For example, if you’re doing a language-oriented task like writing or preparing a presentation, you are wise to listen to non-verbal music. On the other hand, if you’re doing a task which is non-verbal like developing a new graphic, the words in the music may not bother you.

This is based on research published in Applied Acoustics which found that when you understand about 20% of speech, your performance may decline—and when you can understand 30%-50%, it degrades even more significantly. This applies to the conversations you overhear at the office, but also to the words you hear in songs.

In addition, if you’re doing tasks which feel more mindless and don’t require your concentration, you can also choose music that helps you dissociate—taking your mind off something you don’t enjoy. When you do, it can improve both your performance and your mood, according to research published in Psychology of Sport and Exercise.

Choose Music That Connects

You’ll also want to be selective about music which connects you with others—at least when you’re listening together. Music can be polarizing. For example, country music is one genre people tend to either love and find terribly distracting, according to the Cloudcover Media poll. You’re wise to ensure everyone likes what you’re listening to, and avoid playlists that cause controversy or get on people’s nerves.

Music can also help you bond because you can call up shared experiences. Perhaps you’re at a similar life stage with colleagues and remember being in high school when a certain song was popular. You don’t have the same memories, but you share the importance of that period of your life—and this can energize your relationships.

And music can also engage shared memories. You listened to a certain playlist while the team was volunteering at the community garden. Or you listened to a band on your long drive back and forth to a pivotal customer meeting. In these cases, listening together can remind you of the links and experiences you share—for the benefit of your bonds.

The bottom line: Leverage music as a way to bond with coworkers.

Listen Well

Overall, you’ll want to be selective what music works best for you. Listen because you love a song or a playlist, but be cognizant of how it affects the particular task you’re doing. For some, music might work well and for others, you may choose the sound of silence for some parts of your life or work.

Music Enhances Productivity: The Science Behind The 10 Best Songs (2024)

FAQs

Music Enhances Productivity: The Science Behind The 10 Best Songs? ›

You tend to get physically in sync with music, so when you can move to a beat, and feel a steady flow of effort in alignment with the music, your productivity—and your motivation and endurance—will be positively impacted, according to studies headed by Costas Karageorghis at Brunel University.

How does music improve productivity? ›

Music can also help employees to engage in work tasks, through blocking out distracting noise in the office.” Some individuals may express a concern about employees' abilities to truly focus while listening to music. Although, studies show that 88% of workers will produce more accurate work when they listen to music.

What music is best for increasing productivity? ›

7 types of music for making your productivity fly through the roof
  1. Classical music for improving focus. ...
  2. Lo-fi for relaxing and stimulating creativity. ...
  3. Ambient and nature sounds for de-stressing. ...
  4. One song on repeat for achieving flow. ...
  5. Video game music for stimulating thinking are problem-solving.
Jul 19, 2024

What is the best sound for productivity? ›

Listening to the sounds of nature, like waves crashing or a babbling brook, has been shown to enhance cognitive function and concentration. Nature sounds work best when they're soothing sounds, such as flowing water or rainfall, while more jarring noises such as bird calls and animal noises can be distracting.

What is the scientific power of music? ›

Music can effectively improve pain due to its ability to stimulate the immune system, relieve anxiety, and facilitate the release of distressing emotions, demonstrating a range of well-being benefits that, in turn, reduce the extent of suffering physical pain.

Is it scientifically proven that music helps you work? ›

You were probably aware of how music could improve your work outs, take your mind off household chores or pass the time during your commute—but music can actually help you work better, more efficiently and more happily. And there's science that proves why music has such a positive impact.

What does music do to the brain? ›

Evidence suggests that listening to music may help brain cells process information more efficiently and may facilitate the brain's ability to adapt.

What is the best music for the brain? ›

Classical music: Classical music can help you feel relaxed, and it may also help improve your focus. Additionally, listening to classical music may help stimulate the brain. Ambient sounds: Background noise that includes ambient sounds, such as birds chirping or waves crashing, can help students feel more relaxed.

Is it better to work in silence or with music? ›

Various studies indicate that some people are better at studying with background noise than others. Extroverts and multi-taskers juggle music and study the most efficiently, while anxious fidgeters benefit most from calming, relaxing music. Music is extremely emotive and associative.

Which music increases brain power? ›

Another group of researchers found that the type of music that most positively influences learning is “soft-fast,” songs like Jason Mraz's “I'm Yours” or “Love on Top” by Beyoncé. “Loud-fast,” “soft-slow” and “loud-slow” music tended to hinder learning.

What is the best music for focus and productivity? ›

Classical music is an effective type of music to listen to while working because its sounds are developed around piano, string or woodwind instrument composition. This type of music also has no lyrics, which may make it easier to focus and stimulate the mind.

What color noise is best for productivity? ›

Studies even suggest that white noise can enhance productivity, making it easier to tune out other noise in the office and an excellent tool for workplaces and study spaces.

What is the best Hz music for productivity? ›

Binaural beats in the lower beta frequencies (14 to 30 Hz) have been linked to increased concentration and alertness, problem-solving, and improved memory. Binaural beats of 40 Hz were found to be helpful in enhancing training and learning, according to a 2020 study .

Why music is so powerful? ›

Music is used so much in today's world because it has the power to connect people, evoke emotions, and create memorable experiences. It serves as a universal language that transcends barriers and brings individuals together.

What type of music gives you energy? ›

Upbeat genres like soul gospel, smooth jazz, or even video game soundtracks have been shown to stimulate the release of dopamine in the brain – a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. Listening to these genres can boost our spirits and infuse us with positive energy.

Does music increase productivity in students? ›

Research suggests that listening to music can enhance focus, improve mood, and reduce stress levels. It can also stimulate creativity and boost cognitive function. So, when students listen to music while studying, it can help create a positive and conducive environment for learning.

How does music affect a production? ›

Music can increase or decrease your productivity

“For many, music can help someone focus, get more done, and feel motivated,” Tottle said. “However, there are some people who find music very distracting, and their focus drops drastically when listening to music and trying to complete a task.”

Why is music important in production? ›

A well-crafted score can intensify suspense, emphasize vital moments, and heighten the emotional impact of a narrative. The right music should elevate the audience's experience and leave a lasting impression, whether in a blockbuster film or a personal video project.

How does music help performance? ›

Additionally, music can create synchronous movement because of tempo manipulating the pace of the body functions. A human's natural adaptation to music can increase an individual's motivation to perform specific tasks. Increased motivation can lead to greater work output and less effort put forth by the individual.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6393

Rating: 5 / 5 (70 voted)

Reviews: 85% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Merrill Bechtelar CPA

Birthday: 1996-05-19

Address: Apt. 114 873 White Lodge, Libbyfurt, CA 93006

Phone: +5983010455207

Job: Legacy Representative

Hobby: Blacksmithing, Urban exploration, Sudoku, Slacklining, Creative writing, Community, Letterboxing

Introduction: My name is Merrill Bechtelar CPA, I am a clean, agreeable, glorious, magnificent, witty, enchanting, comfortable person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.