Why ’80s Music Makes Us Happy: The Science of Feel-Good Pop

The '80s lifted our hair to new heights (thanks Aqua Net!), our shoulders to new heights (thanks shoulder pads!) and CONTINUES to lift our spirits to new heights (thank you '80s MUSIC!).

You know that feeling. When you hear your favorite '80s song, and suddenly, that half-empty glass you've been holding is now looking half full. Somehow that infectious beat and catchy melody can turn a crap day into a living room dance party. This music has a special power that can totally boost our spirits, jack up our mood, and make us feel epic. And there's research that backs this up. Yes, there are folks in white lab coats that are also stoked by a rad '80s jam. Let's take a look at what some of them have discovered.

Why Pop Music Makes Us Happy

At its sweet Tootsie pop core, pop music is designed to be catchy and enjoyable. With bright catchy melodies, upbeat tempos, and relatable lyrics, it’s no wonder we find ourselves humming along.

Listening to an enjoyable song triggers your brain to release dopamine — the “feel-good” neurotransmitter that gives you a joyful, energized buzz. Neuroscientists at McGill University found that when people listened to songs that gave them chills, dopamine levels spiked by up to 9% — the same brain response as eating your favorite dessert or getting a hug (Salimpoor et al., 2011, Nature Neuroscience).

That rush you feel when the chorus of “Livin’ on a Prayer” hits? That’s neurochemistry doing its thing. Researchers found that your brain releases dopamine both when you anticipate your favorite part of a song and when it arrives — meaning your brain gets a double hit of happiness every time that chorus lands (Salimpoor & Zatorre, 2014, PNAS).

The Musical Formula for Joy

Leave it to a Dutch neuroscientist to come up with a formula for musical happiness. Dr. Jacob Jolij analyzed survey data about people’s “feel-good songs” and found a clear pattern. His musical recipe for joy includes:

• A fast tempo (140–150 BPM)

• A major key

• Lyrics about positive themes (or just fun nonsense)
  

Using that formula, Jolij whipped up a Top 10 playlist of the ultimate mood-boosters — and, not surprisingly, half of them come straight from the feel-good 80s: Girls Just Want to Have Fun, Walking on Sunshine, Eye of the Tiger, Livin’ on a Prayer, and Uptown Girl.

1982-84: The Golden Years of Positivity

We really are what we listen to. Jolij’s research showed that when we listen to positive music, we feel positive. And you’re not imagining it — pop songs have, in fact, gotten more negative over time.

A study analyzing pop lyrics from the 1950s through 2016 found that feelings of anger, disgust, fear, and sadness have ramped up, while the happy vibes have steadily dropped. The one shining exception? The early 80s. Songs from 1982–84 were among the most upbeat and optimistic ever recorded (second only to the squeaky-clean 50s). By the mid-90s, tunes really got more intense, with anger levels skyrocketing compared to earlier jams.

The Nostalgia Effect

Ever notice how just a few notes of an old song can send you straight back in time? One second you’re in 2025, the next you’re in your childhood bedroom, hairbrush in hand, lip-syncing to “Girls Just Want to Have Fun.” That’s the nostalgia effect — your brain’s way of revisiting emotional memories through music.

Nostalgia isn’t just a sentimental flashback — it’s a psychological mood booster. Researchers have found that nostalgic experiences can make us feel happier, more connected, and even more optimistic about the future. In fact, psychologists discovered that music-evoked nostalgia increases positive mood, social connection, and a sense of life meaning (Sedikides et al., 2022, Psychology of Music).

Another study found that during the pandemic, people who listened to nostalgic songs reported feeling calmer and more emotionally grounded — a kind of sonic time travel for the soul (Gibbs et al., 2021, Frontiers in Psychology).

So when that ’80s playlist hits, your brain isn’t just remembering — it’s rebalancing. The warm, familiar feelings triggered by those songs can reduce stress and remind you of who you were before life got complicated. Nostalgia isn’t living in the past — it’s borrowing joy from it.

Create Your Ultimate Mood-Boosting Playlist

If you’re ready to lift your mood to ‘80s heights, build your own playlist of feel-good classics or pick one of our ready-to-go ‘80s playlists. So next time you’re feeling a bit low, crank up your favorite jam and let the dopamine flow.