Top 25 happiest Christmas songs scientifically chosen for your drive home

Music psychologist Dr Claire Renfrew has created a 25-track Christmas playlist using a scientific formula designed to boost mood and reduce stress

Charlie Biggs-Thomas

16:00, 05 Dec 2025

[ Country and Rock N Roll Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee performs at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in the CMA Theater on December 9, 2015 in Nashville, Tennessee. ]

Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' around the Christmas tree' is considered the 'happiest' Christmas song(Image: Getty Images for CMHOF)

A top music boffin has crafted the world's 'happiest' Christmas car playlist, promising 'guaranteed' smiles throughout the journey. Dr. Claire Renfrew, a music psychologist, spent hours trawling through festive songs to find the perfect ones for the playlist, each adhering to a specific scientific formula.

According to Dr. Renfrew, the number one song that scientifically ticks all the boxes is Brenda Lee's upbeat 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree'. This is despite a poll of 2,000 drivers which found that 45% considered Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" to be the track that brings them the most joy.

[music psychologist Dr. Claire Renfrew]

The playlist was curated by music psychologist Dr. Claire Renfrew (pictured)(Image: PinPep)

Other songs that meet the criteria include 'Feliz Navidad' by Jos Feliciano, 'Jingle Bell Rock' by Bobby Helms, and 'Holly Jolly Christmas' by Michael Bubl, along with timeless hits like 'I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday' by Wizzard.

Following the research, Dr Renfrew put together the 'World's Happiest Christmas Car Playlist by Fiat'. The 25-track playlist, available on Spotify is designed to bring joy to drivers and is ranked based on how well each song aligns with the scientific formula.

So, what's the secret recipe for a dopamine-boosting Christmas song? According to Dr. Renfrew's research, the happiest Christmas songs share a few key characteristics. This includes being in a major key, featuring energetic vocals and instruments, has a tempo between 100 and 140 beats per minute and includes a simple catchy chorus.

[Family and Dr Claire Renfrew stand in front of FIAT Grande Panda]

The playlist has been curated to help make driving at Christmas less stressful(Image: PinPep)

The survey conducted via OnePoll.com showed that 54% of those driving home for Christmas consider it one of the best moments of the season. However, despite being a highlight, 47% also believe it's the most stressful time to be on the roads - which is where the Christmas playlist comes in.

Dr Renfrew said: "Christmas songs can have a surprisingly powerful positive impact on us psychologically."

She added: Not only do Christmas songs boost our moods, they reduce stress, evoke nostalgia, enhance social bonding, increase energy, trigger joyful anticipation, and improve emotional regulation, making them powerful psychological tools for happiness and festive well-being.

Victoria Hatfield from FIAT UK, which commissioned the study after launching its Grande Panda in the UK, said: "Happiness is part of our brand ethos and we believe that driving home for Christmas doesn't need to be stressful, but should be celebrated as the start of the festive period".

She added: "By getting the right playlist and plans in place, you can have a magical and stress-free drive home ahead of the big day."

THE TOP 25 HAPPIEST CHRISTMAS SONGS - ACCORDING TO SCIENCE:

1. Rockin Around The Christmas Tree Brenda Lee

2. Feliz Navidad Jos Feliciano

3. Jingle Bell Rock Bobby Helms

4. Holly Jolly Christmas Michael Bubl

5. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday Wizzard

6. Its The Most Wonderful Time of the Year Andy Williams

7. Sleigh Ride Harry Connick Jr.

8. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town The Jackson 5

9. Wonderful Christmastime (Edited Version / Remastered) Paul McCartney

10. Underneath the Tree Kelly Clarkson

11. All I Want For Christmas Is You Mariah Carey

12. Winter Wonderland Bing Crosby

13. Step Into Christmas Elton John

14. Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Frank Sinatra

15. Last Christmas Wham!

16. White Christmas Bing Crosby

17. Merry Christmas Everyone Shakin Stevens

18. Mistletoe Justin Bieber

19. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) Remastered 2010 John Lennon, Yoko Ono

20. Christmas Wrapping The Waitresses

21. Santa Tell Me Ariana Grande

22. Silver Bells Dean Martin

23. Little Saint Nick The Beach Boys

24. Do They Know Its Christmas? 1984 Version Band Aid

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25. Deck The Hall Nat King Cole

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