Study creates the ultimate playlist for your loved ones with dementia

For those living with dementia, nostalgic music can be a powerful way to trigger positive feelings and reconnect with loved ones. 

With 900,000 people in the UK currently living with dementia, experts at Lottie analysed the musical attributes of 600 different songs in order to create a playlist which would benefit anyone experiencing symptoms of dementia. By looking into a variety of factors, the experts created two playlists, one calming and one upbeat.

This release is part of an extensive study into music for dementia. Please find the full study here: https://lottie.org/data-insight/ultimate-spotify-playlist-people-with-dementia/  

The ultimate upbeat dementia playlist 

The full upbeat spotify playlist of the top 20 songs, can be viewed here 

Rank	Song	Artist	Release Year	Ultimate Playlist Score (/10)
1	The Battle Of New Orleans	Johnny Horton	1959	8.12
2	Pistol Packin’ Mama	Al Dexter	1943	7.90
3	Blue Monday	New Order	1983	7.45
4	Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough	Michael Jackson	1979	7.41
5	Rum And Coca Cola	The Andrews Sisters	1945	7.35
6	Manana (Is Soon Enough For Me)	Peggy Lee	1948	7.16
7	Hot Stuff	Donna Summer	1979	7.13
8	Johnny B. Goode	Chuck Berry	1958	6.77
9	Summertime Blues	Eddie Cochran	1958	6.74
10	Super Freak	Rick James	1981	6.71
11	Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag – Single Version 1965	James Brown	1965	6.51
12	Play That Funky Music	Wild Cherry	1976	6.45
13	Great Balls Of Fire	Jerry Lee Lewis	1957	6.41
14	You Really Got Me	The Kinks	1964	6.35
15	When The Saints Go Marching In – Single Version	Louis Armstrong	1939	6.29

Please find the full data-set analysed, here 

Lottie found that the number one upbeat song for those with dementia is ‘The Battle Of New Orleans’ by Johnny Horton. With exceptional scores for tempo, energy, and lyrics, therefore it is no surprise that the country track receives a final score of 8.12/10. It has been found that stimulating music like this can inspire movement for those living with dementia and encourage gentle exercise.

In second place is ‘Pistol Packin’ Mama’ by Al Dexter (7.90/10). Released in 1943, this fellow country singer obtained a high ranking mainly due to the song’s excellent scores for tempo (9.83/10) and positivity (10/10).

‘Blue Monday’ by New Order ranks third. Scoring a danceability rating of 7.09/10 and a positivity rating of 7.90/10, this disco sensation earns a final score of 7.45/10.  This electronic track ranks second due to its repetitive nature which has the potential to evoke emotion, and with it memories. 

The ultimate calming dementia playlist 

The full calming spotify playlist of the top 20 songs, can be viewed here

Rank	Song	Artist	Release Year	Ultimate Playlist Score (/10)
1	Buttons And Bows	Dinah Shore	1948	8.79
2	Blowin’ in the Wind	Bob Dylan	1963	8.25
3	Marie	Tommy Dorsey	1937	8.20
4	Nature Boy	Nat King Cole	1948	7.52
5	One O’Clock Jump	Count Basie	1937	7.47
6	Where Or When	Hal Kemp	1937	7.38
7	Frenesi	Artie Shaw	1940	7.35
8	Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town – Single Version	Bing Crosby	1947	7.27
9=	I Want You Back	The Jackson 5	1969	7.18
9=	Sweet Leilani – Single Version	Bing Crosby	1937	7.18
11	What’d I Say	Ray Charles	1959	7.16
12	Five Minutes More	Frank Sinatra	1946	7.10
13	It Might As Well Be Spring	Dick Haymes	1945	7.07
14	What’s Going On	Marvin Gaye	1971	7.02
15	Paper Doll	The Mills Brothers	1943	6.96

Please find the full data-set analysed, here. 

Lottie found that the number one calming song for those with dementia is Buttons and Bows by Dinah Shore, achieving a final score of 8.79/10. With its stellar scores for tempo, lyrics and positivity, it has been found that light tones of this song can provide the perfect antidote in stressful times. 

In second position is Blowin’ In The Wind by Bob Dylan, released in 1963. With a final score of 8.25/10, this folk ballad was ranked 14th by Rolling Stone in their 500 greatest songs of all time. Originally released in 1983, this song may remind those living with dementia of happy memories, such as their first kiss, teenage years, family parties and loved ones.

‘Marie’ by Tommy Dorsey ranks in third position, with a final score of 8.20/10. The trombonist dubbed ‘the sentimental gentleman of swing’ recorded excellent scores for positivity (7.74/10) and lyrics (8.16/10). 

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Will Donnelly, Care expert and Co-Founder, at Lottie, tells us more about how you can use music to help a loved one living with dementia:

“There’s lots of health and wellbeing benefits to music – especially for those living with dementia. Listening and engaging with music can help someone living with dementia to communicate, stay connected to others and spark memories of joy and happiness.

Previous research has found that music can help reduce anxiety, maintain speech and express their emotions and enhance the overall wellbeing of someone living with dementia. Many care homes across the country provide music therapy – organised activities that involve music that both care home residents and carers enjoy.

The benefits of music can be seen both at home and in care settings. From listening to the radio with your loved one, enjoying their favourite songs together or even supporting your loved one to joining a social choir or singing group – there’s lots of ways you can use music to support your loved one living with dementia.”

We really hope you find this release useful. If this release is of use to you, please can you provide a link to the company that conducted the research: https://lottie.org/data-insight/ultimate-spotify-playlist-people-with-dementia/.