Tell me, who doesn't get into the shower and immediately transform into a super singer?
Sponge or loofah in hand and there you are, belting out your favourite track to an invisible audience.
Well, according to Spotify, data shows that Ed Sheeran's 'Shivers' is the best song to sing in the shower.
Experts connected to Spotify’s API to extract audio feature analysis of the popular “Songs to Sing in the Shower” playlist.
The study ranked songs based on multiple variables which included: BPM, danceability, valence, loudness, acoustics, vocabulary density and percentage of repeated words, ultimately revealing the top songs to sing in the shower.
The data by shower enclosures retailer, Shower to You, Sheeran's song scored a 8.87/10.
"With a high energy rating of 86/100, the song is ideal for shower singing as the upbeat tempo and lively rhythm naturally boosts serotonin levels, helping you feel more awake, positive, and confident—perfect for starting your day on a high note," stated the report.
The report further stated that this song also ranks well for its dance score (79/100) making it a memorable and super energetic song.
Coming in at a hot second place is Gwen Stefani's iconic 2006 hit, The Sweet Escape'.
The report found that the song scored a high 8.87/10.
At third spot is 'Dynamite' by Taio Cruz with a whopping 8.69/10.
Interesting fact, Benny Blanco had a hand in both 'Shivers' and 'Dynamite'.
Science behind it
Clinical Counsellor and founder of Lotus Therapy, Nilou Esmaeilpour, said singing in the shower is not only a unique experience but also has a unique psychological effect where safety, creativity, and stress relief coexist.
"The closed space combined with running water and absence of any audience gives a sensorial insulation from the outside world. The estimated privacy reduces self-consciousness to an extent that freedom is felt, allowing individuals to vocalise easily.
"Acoustics play a part too as the hard surfaces in most bathrooms create natural reverberation that enhances our voice, making us sound richer and more in tune, which can be a nice little ego boost," she added.
Health benefits
"Singing activates the vagus nerve, which is involved with the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps influence mood and stress. When we sing, especially if we take in some deeper breaths and sustain long notes, it mimics the diaphragmatic breathing used in meditation or yoga, which brings down cortisol levels and reduces people’s stress," Esmaeilpour added.
She said research shows that singing can release endorphins and dopamine, to make people feel good, and arguably contribute to pleasure that can be attributed to group singing in therapy settings as applied to people with anxiety and depression.
"Even if it is not therapy, shower singing alone can indeed be a daily effortless enhancer of moods. It is a form of self-soothing that helps in emotional regulation and personal expression," Esmaeilpour said.
seanne.rall@iol.co.za
IOL