Bryan Adams' 'Summer of '69' crowned Britain's greatest summer song in bombshell poll

Bryan Adams' 'Summer of '69' crowned Britain's greatest summer song in bombshell poll Bryan Adams' 1985 anthem topped a new poll followed by Katrina and the Waves, The Beatles and The Beach Boys Summer of '69 has been crowned Britain's greatest summer hit, beating feel-good favourites Walking on Sunshine and Here Comes the Sun. Bryan Adams' 1985 anthem topped a new poll with 27% of the vote, followed by Katrina and the Waves on 25%. The Beatles and The Beach Boys tied on 22%, while Queen's Don't Stop Me Now, Wham!'s Club Tropicana and Madonna's Holiday each scored 20%. The poll reveals the powerful grip music has on our summer mood. A whopping 88% of Britons have a song that instantly lifts their spirits, while 45% say nothing beats enjoying great music with loved ones. More than half name music, sunshine and friends as the recipe for a perfect summer's day. Meanwhile, 59% believe a great playlist can transform any gathering into a proper shindig - along with BBQs, garden parties, beach trips and picnics. Dr Manuel Anglada Tort, who is a Lecturer in Psychology in Neuroscience and Director of the Music, Mind and Brain Group at Goldsmiths University of London, explains the science behind summer hits: “Summer hits are not defined by a single musical ingredient, but they result from a complex interplay of many influences. “On the one hand, many share a combination of musical features that our brains tend to associate with energy, dancing, and positive emotions. Compared with slower or more introspective music, summer hits often have faster tempos, upbeat rhythms, and catchy, repetitive melodies that are easy to sing along to and remember. “These songs are also especially effective at evoking positive emotions such as happiness, excitement, and freedom - feelings that people naturally seek out during periods of good weather.” Research on behalf of Topgolf of more than 20,000 chart-topping songs in the UK over the past 70 years, found that warm and sunny weather was associated with songs that were more danceable, energetic, and emotionally positive. One possible explanation is that good weather places people in more positive emotional states, leading them to choose music that matches and amplifies their mood. Dr Tort added: “However, the feeling of a ‘summer song’ does not come from the music alone. Our brains constantly link music with memories, places, emotions, and experiences. Psychologists refer to this as associative memory, where music acts as a cue that brings back previous experiences and emotions. Summer hits therefore become more than just songs, they become soundtracks to important moments in our lives, like getting together with friends and family and having fun.” Alex Minto, Marketing Manager from Topgolf, said: "The nation has chosen a great range of music that's perfect for the summer season, from classic hits like Summer of '69 and Livin' on a Prayer to more contemporary songs like California Gurls and Watermelon Sugar.” THE ULTIMATE SUMMER PLAYLIST TOP 20: 1: Summer of '69 - Bryan Adams - 27%; 2: Walking On Sunshine - Katrina & The Waves - 25%; 3: Here Comes The Sun - The Beatles - 22%; 4: Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys - 22%; 5: Don't Stop Me Now - Queen - 20% ; 6: Club Tropicana - Wham! - 20% 7: Holiday - Madonna - 20%; 8: Hotel California - The Eagles - 19% 9: Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi - 18%; 10: I Gotta Feeling - The Black Eyed Peas - 18%: 11: Wanna Dance with Somebody - Whitney Houston - 17%; 12: Mr Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra - 17%; 13; Lovely Day - Bill Withers - 16%; 14: California Gurls - Katy Perry - 16%; 15: Dancing in the Moonlight - Toploader - 15%; 16: Don't Stop Believin' - Journey - 14%; 17: Africa - Toto - 14%; 18: Boys of Summer - Don Henley - 14%; 19: Summertime - DJ Jazzy Jeff and The Fresh Prince - 14%; 20: Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd - 14%