Luckily Chris Rea’s ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ didn’t make the list
If you’re the type of person to whack on Spotify’s Christmas Hits playlist when driving over the festive season, then you’ll want to read on.
We’re all guilty of playing a bit of Wham! or Mariah Carey as we run our daily errands in December (or earlier, if you’re a real Christmas lover), and if we don’t choose to put it on, local radio stations are usually playing it for us.
But there are a handful of songs you should be wary of listening to while behind the wheel as study has shown it could be some-what dangerous.
Fortunately Chris Rea’s ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ didn’t make the top ten, because how ironic would that be?
According to a study conducted by the South China University Of Technology, it’s a Christmas song’s beats per minute (BPM) that can make it dangerous or not.
It’s said that songs with a BPM of over 120 can have ‘psychological and cardiovascular effects’ which increased the likelihood of dangerous driving, thus increasing a person’s risk of having a serious accident.
Some Christmas songs have been dubbed ‘dangerous’ to listen to while driving (Getty Stock)
With these findings in mind, Insuranceopedia analyzed Christmas number 1 hits and their BPMs to identify which ones might be problematic to listen to on the road.
10) I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus
This 1970s classic had a BPM of 129, meaning it’s in the ‘dangerous’ bracket of Christmas songs to listen to while driving.
9) Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
While you’d have thought that Judy Garland’s track is best known for being perfect to have a slow dance to at the end of the night, it turns out it has a BPM of 137.
8) I Wish It Could be Christmas Everyday
Now this one probably won’t come as much of a surprise as it’s the perfect Christmas party song. Coming in at number 8, ‘I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday’ has a BPM of 140.
7) Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer
The perfect song to sing at karaoke after one too many eggnogs, this festive favorite has a BPM of 142.
6) Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!
This single has had several adaptions over the years, including by Michael Bublé (the king of Christmas himself), Frank Sinatra and Tori Kelly, and comes in at 143 BPM.
5) Happy Xmas (War Is Over)
In the years running up to his assassination, Beatles star John Lennon released ‘Happy Xmas (War Is Over)’ with his wife Yoko Ono.
The 1970 song, which has a BPM of 146, has reentered the charts over the years, and peaked at number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2022.
4) Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town
Of course another catchy Jackson 5 song would make it in the top 10 of holiday songs with a high BPM, with this Christmas classic having a BPM of 147.
The Jackson Five pictured in 1969 (RB/Redferns)
3) Feliz Navdid
A personal favorite, José Feliciano’s ‘Feliz Navdid’ is apparently the third most dangerous song to listen to while behind the wheel as it has a BPM of 149.
2) All I Want For Christmas Is You
Mariah Carey’s Christmas classic comes in a number two with a BPM of 150. However, I’d argue that it’s the fact you can’t not sing along to ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ that makes it dangerous to listen to while driving, rather than its BPM…
1) Frosty the Snowman
This catchy festive track has a BPM of 172, making it the most ‘dangerous’ Christmas song by far.
Featured Image Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty/Getty Stock Image
