Rock Candy

Rock Candy

Rock Candy

Having a hard time sleeping but can’t stand the sound of silence? (And no, we don’t mean the Simon & Garfunkel classic.) Perhaps you should create a playlist with these ten classic rock songs that have been scientifically proven to induce sleep.

The folks over at Mornings.co.uk — a website that reviews the best mattresses, pillows and beds suited for quality sleep — created a study to determine which songs best emulate some of the most popular lullabies.

How did they do this? Per the Mornings’ study, “We analyzed 100 lullabies on Spotify using 10 audio features such as tempo and scale (major or minor). And then we compared our results to a curated list of 1,721 songs, including Spotify’s most streamed and essential tunes from a range of genres.”

So, which classic rock songs most resemble the features found in the most popular lullabies? Scroll below to see the top ten, while the entire study with additional song breakdowns can be found here.

  • 10. John Lennon - 'Imagine'

    “Imagine” is the title track off of Lennon’s classic 1971 album. Since its release, it has been an anthem for peace. It peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100.

  • 9. Eagles - 'Desperado'

    “Desperado” is one of the Eagles’ most iconic tracks. It’s been covered by a number of artists, including Clint Black and Diana Krall. However, most would argue the definitive cover was recorded by Linda Ronstadt. (In fact, some might argue Ronstadt’s cover is also the definitive version, but that’s another conversation for another day.)

  • 8. The Police - 'Every Breath You Take'

    Sure, it’s a song about obsessing over a lover, but even decades later, it’s so good! Perhaps, just ignore the creepy stalker vibes of this classic, and just let the melody wash over you.

  • 7. Lou Reed - 'Walk On the Wild Side'

    One of Lou Reed’s best solo songs, it seems almost quaint that “Walk On the Wild Side” was once considered to be eyebrow-raising. Fun fact: “Walk On the Wild Side” was a double A-side with “Perfect Day,” which is another dreamy classic.

  • 6. Jackson Browne - 'The Load Out'

    An ode to a concert road crew, “The Load Out” is featured on Browne’s classic 1977 album Running On Empty. The track wasn’t initially released as a single, but it grew in popularity thanks to the song being played on the radio.

  • 5. Pink Floyd - 'Wish You Were Here'

    One of Pink Floyd’s most moving songs, “Wish You Were Here” is both a classic in their catalog and in rock, period. It’s mellow melody surely is the reason why it landed on this list.

  • 4. The Beatles - 'Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight'

    The “Golden Slumbers” portion of this song was literally inspired by a lullaby. Frankly, imagining “Golden Slumbers” without “Carry That Weight” just seems wrong, hence why it was likely included here.

  • 3. Elton John - 'Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters'

    “Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters” was never released as a single, but it’s among Sir Elton’s most beloved tracks. The song gained new life after it was included in the 2000 film Almost Famous. Additionally, John performed a moving rendition of the song at the 9/11 tribute show The Concert for New York City.

  • 2. Led Zeppelin - 'Going to California'

    Led Zeppelin is one of the greatest hard rock bands every, but they sure did know how to write a ballad. “Going to California” is one of their best and one of their dreamiest.

  • 1. Elton John - 'Your Song'

    It’s a little bit funny just how much we adore this classic. Considering the criteria of this study, we definitely don’t mind it being number one.

Sign me up for the WDHA D-Club email newsletter!

Join the WDHA D-Club for access to all the perks delivered right to your inbox from The Rock of New Jersey! Get exclusive presale codes for upcoming shows, updates with your favorite rockers, contest info, and more.

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.