THE PERFECT KID’S SONG: RADIO GA GA

Dr. Michael Bonshor, a music psychology professor at the University of Sheffield, England, analyzed dozens of children’s classics to figure out the magic formula for a perfect kid’s song. He concluded the ideal kids’ song should land between 60-120 beats per minute, have a ‘marching or swaying’ rhythm and feature repetitive, rhyming lyrics — along with a major key, which has a bright and upbeat feel. A song of this type lends itself to walking, dancing or swaying which can help with developing motor skills and coordination. Songs which follow this mix include Queen hits “Radio Ga Ga” and “We Will Rock You” and Beyoncé’s “All the Single Ladies.” They not only have the power to keep children entertained, but also teach them key skills in their early development.
* 60-120 beats per minute kinda rules out thrash metal.
* No new songs? Dr. Bonshor hasn’t come out of his lab since 2008.
* And only three songs? So you have to hear them hundreds of times? Dr. Bonshor has no children.
* You’d think a more appropriate kid’s song from Queen would be “Tie Your Mother Down.”