Which Christmas Songs Boost Office Productivity?

A recent study by csgoluck.com has cast a spotlight on how Christmas music affects workplace productivity. The research, analysing the 200 most popular songs on Spotify, sought to understand which festive tunes enhance focus and which ones lead to distraction.

For office workers and managers, this study serves as a guide to choosing the right background music during the festive season. Could these findings influence the playlist in your office? Are slower beats the secret to a more productive December?

While music is a universal mood setter, its impact on work productivity is not to be underestimated. This study highlights the subtle yet significant influence of music’s tempo on our focus and efficiency at work. As we gear up for the holiday season, it might be wise to consider the soundtrack of our work environment.Productivity Boosters

Brenda Lee’s 67 BPM ‘Rocking Around the Christmas Tree’ comes out on top. Following closely in the rankings for productivity-enhancing Christmas songs are “Silver Bells” by Bing Crosby at 70 BPM, “A Holly Jolly Christmas” by Brett Eldredge at 72 BPM, and Tony Bennett’s “O Christmas Tree” at 74 BPM. Notably, “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues, a widely streamed Christmas favourite, also features prominently on the list for aiding productivity with its 78 BPM rhythms.

10 Best Christmas Songs for Productivity

1. Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee (67 BPM)
2. Silver Bells – Bing Crosby (70 BPM)
3. A Holly Jolly Christmas – Brett Eldredge (72 BPM)
4. O Christmas Tree – Tony Bennett (74 BPM)
5. Happy Holiday / The Holiday Season – Andy Williams (74 BPM)
6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Sam Smith (75 BPM)
7. Frosty The Snowman – Ella Fitzgerald (77 BPM)
8. Fairytale of New York (Feat. Kirsty MacColl) – The Pogues (78 BPM)
9. The Christmas Song (Merry Christmas To You) – Nat King Cole (79 BPM)
10. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) – Elvis Presley (79 BPM)

Distracting Melodies

In contrast, the study also pinpointed the top 10 most distracting Christmas songs. Ariana Grande’s rendition of “Last Christmas” leads this list with a rapid 206 BPM. Other popular festive tracks such as “It’s Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas” by Perry Como and “Jingle Bell Rock” by Bobby Helms, characterised by tempos exceeding 100 BPM, were also identified as less conducive to workplace concentration.

10 Most Distracting Christmas Songs

1. Last Christmas – Ariana Grande (206 BPM)
2. The Happiest Christmas Tree – Nat King Cole (205 BPM)
3. Mele Kalikimaka – Bing Crosby (202 BPM)
4. It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year – Andy Williams (201 BPM)
5. Santa Tell Me – Ariana Grande (191 BPM)
6. Christmas Eve / Sarajevo 12/24 – Trans-Siberian Orchestra (186 BPM)
7. Caroling, Caroling – Nat King Cole (185 BPM)
8. Christmas Dream – Perry Como (184 BPM)
9. This Christmas – Christina Aguilera (183 BPM)
10. Please Come Home for Christmas – Eagles (183 BPM)

A spokesperson from CSGOLuck (It’s a gambling site, but it’s a good story) commented on the findings, stating: “While Christmas music can certainly add a festive spirit and boost morale in the office, our study advises caution in the selection of songs. Data suggests that danceable, high-tempo songs might hinder concentration. For optimal productivity, it’s better to opt for gentler tracks that can serve as unobtrusive background music.”