Skip to Content

Warning: The Most Dangerously Relaxing Song Ever

Throw your melatonin in the trash. Pour out that chamomile tea. I’m about to introduce you to the real deal in relaxation.

The band Marconi Union collaborated with sound therapists to create the world’s most relaxing song. In fact, it’s so effective at calming your nerves that the stress specialists who performed the experiments have issued a warning to not listen to it while driving. Seriously. Don’t do it.

Press play on the video below to listen as you finish reading below. You’ll be like “Where am I? What happened?” You don’t have to watch unless you’re partial to drones flying in circles.

(Download the full, high-quality version here)

To induce the effect of drinking 18 gallons of chamomile tea, the band first dialed in the tune at 60 BPM’s. This reportedly slows and syncs your heart rate to your alpha brainwaves.

There’s also the use of binaural beats that have continued to increase in popularity for their various psychological benefits with calming and concentration. All of this makes sense too with the rising data collected regarding bilateral stimulation with therapies such as EMDR.

How They Made the Most Relaxing Song

Lyz Cooper, the founder of the British Academy of Sound Therapy explains:

“While listening, your heart rate gradually comes to match that beat. It is important that the song is eight minutes long because it takes about five minutes for this process, known as entrainment, to occur. The fall in heart rate also leads to a fall in blood pressure.”

A slower heart rate signals all kinds of relaxation responses in the body and brain. But you have to actually give in and try to get absorbed into the music. You can’t just play it as background music.

“The harmonic intervals – or gaps between notes – have been chosen to create a feeling of euphoria and comfort. And there is no repeating melody, which allows your brain to completely switch off because you are no longer trying to predict what is coming next.”

You’d think repeating melodies would do the opposite and allow your brain to relax. I guess I was wrong there. Maybe you zone out in a trance after your brain gives up, since the melodies aren’t necessarily spectacular or catchy.

“Instead, there are random chimes, which helps to induce a deeper sense of relaxation. The final element is the low, whooshing sounds and hums that are like buddhist chants. High tones stimulate but these low tones put you in a trance-like state.”

most relaxing song

It’s hard not to, but if you imagine you’re in a spa like the image above, or sitting in a beautiful garden… it’s lights out for you. I hope you have a pillow.

Top 10 Most Relaxing Songs

The experiment, commissioned by Radox Spa, determined a list of the top 10 most calming songs ever. They are, listed in order from most tranquilizing to least sedating. That’s funny, because even number 10 makes me want to take a power nap.

  1. Marconi Union – Weightless
  2. Airstream – Electra
  3. DJ Shah – Mellomaniac (Chill Out Mix)
  4. Enya – Watermark
  5. Coldplay – Strawberry Swing
  6. Barcelona – Please Don’t Go
  7. All Saints – Pure Shores
  8. Adele – Someone Like You
  9. Mozart – Canzonetta Sull’aria
  10. Cafe Del Mar – We Can Fly

The word is that they actually figured out what songs belonged in the top 9 and then set about to create the most relaxing music piece ever to top the list. Not only did they achieve their goal but Marconi Union has created an entire album based around the concept of this song.

They have other albums in the ambient genre if you find you enjoy it. It’s great background music for working, riding in an elevator, or sitting in the waiting room at the dentist, or meditating. But not for driving or operating heavy machinery.

In other news, sales for valerian root are at an all time low as insomniacs flood the stores looking for Marconi Union CD’s, reporting a rise in sleeping and reduction in overall anxiety.