An Oxford University mathematician has explained the best karaoke song of all time, after devising a unique formula. Dr Tom Crawford has explained which songs are best to sing – and why – as new ‘Kathartic Karaoke’ booths from Three UK and Samaritans launch at festivals this summer.
Dr Tom devised a formula which grades each song with a score out of 100 (K). In the equation, which was developed using data from 2,000 karaoke lovers, V refers to the number of verses, C repetition of chorus, BPM to the song’s beats per minute and Y to the year the song was released.
Dr Tom used his formula to rank the UK’s favourite karaoke songs and identify ten guaranteed to boost moods and help find joy.
1. Livin’ On a Prayer – Bon Jovi (91%)
2. I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston (90%)
3. Don’t Look Back in Anger – Oasis (89%)
4. Man! I Feel Like a Woman – Shania Twain (88%)
5. 500 Miles – The Proclaimers (88%)
6. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) – ABBA (85%)
7. Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield (84%)
8. Someone Like You – Adele (84%)
9. Wannabe – Spice Girls (84%)
10. Let Me Love You – Mario (83%)
Dr Tom said: “People love a fast-paced song with an average 126 BPM and 3 repeated chorus’ for every 2 verses, just like most pop songs – hence why common favourites are scoring highly in the research. With ABBA dominating the 70’s, through to Adele in the 2010’s, the average release year of a karaoke classic is 1995. This captures the boyband craze, as well as Brit pop with Oasis, and girl power like the Spice Girls, showing there’s some serious maths behind a karaoke belter.”
The ‘Kathartic Karaoke’ initiative forms part of Three and Samaritans’ commitment to mental health support and wellbeing. Launching this week at Klarna presents Latitude Festival in Suffolk (24 to 27 July), the karaoke booth will then move to The Mound at Edinburgh Fringe (15-16 August). The experience has been designed to help festival goers boost their mood with music and singing. And in partnership with Samaritans, singers can head to Samaritans tent at Latitude if they want to talk or scan a QR code to seek additional support.
Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer at VodafoneThree, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Samaritans for the first time at music festivals, to create joyful spaces for people to connect to one another and experience our ‘Kathartic Karaoke’ for themselves.”
Sonya Trivedy, Executive Director of External Engagement at Samaritans, said: “Music has a unique power to have a positive impact on our mental health. Singing, in particular, can help people process emotions, ease stress and boost mood. Through this pitch-perfect partnership with Three, we’re turning up the volume on wellbeing, using music as a carefree way to connect, express, and take care of your emotional health.”
Samaritans volunteers will be at Latitude throughout the festival, ready to listen without judgement, whether it’s in the early hours after a long night or while queuing for a morning coffee. Their presence is a powerful reminder that support is available 24/7, every day of the year. The festival also coincides with Samaritans Awareness Day on 24 July, known as 24/7, which shines a light on the charity’s round-the-clock service and the life-saving impact of human connection.
