We’ve all got our own ideas of what songs qualify as the best ever. But, you would be surprised by just how many studies have been done into what songs are the most iconic, or the most uplifting, or even catchy. Some studies rely on data from music charts and sales, others delve deep into more complex science by using formulas based on note ranges and even beat patterns. So, what are some of the best songs ever according to science? Here they are, see if you agree.

The Most Iconic Song Ever: “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana

When the car company Fiat wanted to know which song they should use for a commercial, they enlisted the help from a scientist out of the University of London. Dr. Grierson first pulled popular songs from chart and sale data to get a pool. Then, he ran tests that measured things like keys, chords, and variance. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” beat out other greats like “Imagine” and “Bohemian Rhapsody” for top honors in the iconic department.

The Most Uplifting Song Ever: “Don’t Stop Me Now” by Queen

According to science, Queen takes top honors when it comes to uplifting your spirits though the power of music. This study was done by a Dutch scientist named Dr Jolij. He even devised a formula that he used to support his findings. If you’re curious, you can read about it here. But, we all kinda new Queen is uplifting already, right?

The Best Song Ever, Period: “Africa” by Toto

You may be scratching your head here, but this one is backed by neuro-scientists and psychologists. Studies were done on brain waves of people, as well measurements taken of dopamine levels, while listening to songs. Foot tapping and the muscles associated with smiling were also monitored. Somehow the song “Africa” emerged as the one that people had the biggest measurable reactions to during the rigorous testing.

The Biggest Ear Worm Song Ever: “Wannabe” by The Spice Girls

Somehow, this one makes perfect sense, ’nuff said.