They say “the best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear”, but when it comes to driving home over the festive period, this may be best avoided.
Vehicle finance provider, Moneybarn, has analysed 95 popular Christmas songs in a new study to identify the safest and most 'dangerous' tracks to listen to while driving in your vehicle.
The results were calculated using a song’s beats per minute (BPM) and energy to determine how fast, loud and noisy a track feels. To ensure safer driving, the music you listen to should mimic the human heartbeat, with a BPM that falls in-between 60 and 100.
High BPM and energy songs were ranked as less safe, as studies have shown music with a BPM greater than 120 can result in faster driving speeds and more traffic violations.
Kelly Clarkson’s Underneath the Tree was classed as the most 'dangerous' song to listen to, with a BPM of 160 and an energy score of 0.8. This track was closely followed by Christmas classic Wizzard’s I wish it could be Christmas Every day, and Jose Feliciano’s Feliz Navidad in third place.
For those wondering how Chris Rhea’s Driving Home for Christmas fares up, it ranks in number 34 so this Christmas favourite can be added to your festive playlist without fear, as it’s deemed a safe motoring classic.
1. Underneath The Tree – Kelly Clarkson
2. I Wish it Could Be Christmas Everyday – Wizzard
3. Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano
4. Christmas Time (Don’t Let the Bells End) – The Darkness
5. Step into Christmas – Elton John
6. Wombling Merry Christmas – The Wombles
7. Merry Xmas Everybody – Slade
8. Run Rudolph Run – Chuck Berry
9. I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Clause – The Jackson 5
10. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – Mariah Carey
1. Carol of the Bells – John Williams, Mykola Dmytrovych Leontovych
2. Christmas Time is Here – Vince Guaraldi Trio
3. Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt
4. O Tannenbaum (O Christmas Tree) – Tony Bennett
5. O Little Town of Bethlehem – Elvis Presley
6. Medley: Caroling, Caroling / The First Noel / Hark! The Herald Angels Sing / Silent Night – Perry Como
7. The Christmas Waltz – Peggy Lee
8. The First Noel – Frank Sinatra
9. I’ll Be Home for Christmas – Bing Crosby
10. Silent Night – Carpenters
