Latest news with #IWannaDancewithSomebody
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Best karaoke songs revealed as Bon Jovi anthem Livin On A Prayer crowned top singalong
Icons Whitney Houston, Oasis, Shania Twain and Scottish stars the Proclaimers were beaten by rock gods Bon Jovi as a new study explains what makes a top karaoke tune It's the classic rock anthem that's top of the class when it comes to karaoke - and that's according to mathematicians, not music critics. Bon Jovi' s Livin' On a Prayer came in at number one in a new chart ranking the greatest singalong songs of all time. Put together by Oxford professor Dr Tom Crawford, the custom formula factored in how fast the beat was, number of verses, chorus repeats and even the release date of the song. "My research showed a preference for a faster pace, with an average beats per minute of 126, as well as a ratio of three chorus repetitions for every two verses,' he said. 'This fits with the standard structure of most pop songs - hence why you'll see your favourites scoring highly!' Livin' On A Prayer took top spot with a score of 91 out of a possible 100, closely followed by Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance with Somebody (90). In third place was Oasis' iconic Don't Look Back In Anger (89). Dr Crawford devised his formula using research from a poll of 2,000 karaoke lovers, commissioned by mobile giant Three and suicide prevention charity Samaritans. The study found 90 per cent of people feel happier after a sing-along, with 81 per cent getting an emotional uplift and 70 per cent finding it therapeutic. And the research also identified the best year for karaoke gold. 'With ABBA dominating the 70s, through to Adele in the 2010s, the average release year of a karaoke classic is 1995,' Dr Crawford said. 'This captures the boyband craze, as well as Brit pop with Oasis, and girl power in the form of the Spice Girls, showing there's some serious maths behind a killer karaoke belter!' Three and Samartians are running the Kathartic Karaoke initiative to support people with their mental health There will be a special booth at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk (July 24 to 27) and The Mound at Edinburgh Fringe (August 15 and 16). Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director at VodafoneThree, says: 'We are delighted to be partnering with Samaritans for the first time at music festivals, to create joyful spaces for people to connect to one another and experience our 'Kathartic Karaoke' for themselves.' The experience is designed to help festival goers boost their mood with music and singing, while also offering guidance on accessing support from Samaritans. The top 10 Livin' On a Prayer - Bon Jovi I Wanna Dance with Somebody - Whitney Houston Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis Man! I Feel Like a Woman - Shania Twain I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles) - The Proclaimers Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) - ABBA Unwritten - Natasha Bedingfield Someone Like You - Adele Wannabe - Spice Girls Let Me Love You – Mario
North Wales Live
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Formula shows which karaoke songs are most likely to boost mood
An Oxford University mathematician has explained the best karaoke song of all time, after devising a unique formula. Dr Tom Crawford has explained which songs are best to sing - and why - as new 'Kathartic Karaoke' booths from Three UK and Samaritans launch at festivals this summer. Dr Tom devised a formula which grades each song with a score out of 100 (K). In the equation, which was developed using data from 2,000 karaoke lovers, V refers to the number of verses, C repetition of chorus, BPM to the song's beats per minute and Y to the year the song was released. Dr Tom used his formula to rank the UK's favourite karaoke songs and identify ten guaranteed to boost moods and help find joy. 1. Livin' On a Prayer – Bon Jovi (91%) 2. I Wanna Dance with Somebody – Whitney Houston (90%) 3. Don't Look Back in Anger – Oasis (89%) 4. Man! I Feel Like a Woman – Shania Twain (88%) 5. 500 Miles – The Proclaimers (88%) 6. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) – ABBA (85%) 7. Unwritten – Natasha Bedingfield (84%) 8. Someone Like You – Adele (84%) 9. Wannabe – Spice Girls (84%) 10. Let Me Love You – Mario (83%) Dr Tom said: 'People love a fast-paced song with an average 126 BPM and 3 repeated chorus' for every 2 verses, just like most pop songs – hence why common favourites are scoring highly in the research. With ABBA dominating the 70's, through to Adele in the 2010's, the average release year of a karaoke classic is 1995. This captures the boyband craze, as well as Brit pop with Oasis, and girl power like the Spice Girls, showing there's some serious maths behind a karaoke belter.' The 'Kathartic Karaoke' initiative forms part of Three and Samaritans' commitment to mental health support and wellbeing. Launching this week at Klarna presents Latitude Festival in Suffolk (24 to 27 July), the karaoke booth will then move to The Mound at Edinburgh Fringe (15-16 August). The experience has been designed to help festival goers boost their mood with music and singing. And in partnership with Samaritans, singers can head to Samaritans tent at Latitude if they want to talk or scan a QR code to seek additional support. Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Officer at VodafoneThree, said: 'We are delighted to be partnering with Samaritans for the first time at music festivals, to create joyful spaces for people to connect to one another and experience our 'Kathartic Karaoke' for themselves.' Sonya Trivedy, Executive Director of External Engagement at Samaritans, said: 'Music has a unique power to have a positive impact on our mental health. Singing, in particular, can help people process emotions, ease stress and boost mood. Through this pitch-perfect partnership with Three, we're turning up the volume on wellbeing, using music as a carefree way to connect, express, and take care of your emotional health.' Samaritans volunteers will be at Latitude throughout the festival, ready to listen without judgement, whether it's in the early hours after a long night or while queuing for a morning coffee. Their presence is a powerful reminder that support is available 24/7, every day of the year. The festival also coincides with Samaritans Awareness Day on 24 July, known as 24/7, which shines a light on the charity's round-the-clock service and the life-saving impact of human connection.
Irish Independent
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
What to watch on TV and streaming today: The Next Best Thing, She The People and Tracks and Trails
Tracks and Trails RTÉ One, 8pm Doireann Ní Ghlacáin meets ex-rugby player Barry Murphy of folk rock band Hermitage Green, who wants to show off the delights of his Co Limerick home during a cycle ride along the Limerick Greenway from Abbeyfeale to Rathkeale. The Zoo RTÉ One, 8.30pm Zookeepers Sarah and Grechen visit Sierra Leone's Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary to find out how Dublin Zoo's support is helping orphaned chimps and the fight against poachers and land loss. Austin BBC One, 9.30pm The comedy's final episode sees Austin (Michael Theo) head out for some time alone, something that upsets Julian. Later, Ingrid is bitterly disappointed when neither her husband or stepson turn up at the opening of her exhibition. Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody RTÉ One, 9.35pm Naomi Ackie plays the tragic singer and actress in this biographical drama made with the backing of Houston's family. It charts her rise to fame, from her teenage years as a choir girl, to international recognition. Stanley Tucci co-stars. The Next Best Thing RTÉ One, 12.20am Madonna and Rupert Everett head the cast of this likeable comedy-drama. She plays a yoga instructor, while he's the gay best friend who fathers her child. They plan to raise the baby together, until she falls in love with another man. Sirens Netflix, streaming now I might very well be getting ahead of myself, highlighting a series that isn't released until Thursday, but it will be worth the wait. And, no, it has nothing to do with that 1994 dramady starring Elle Macpherson and Portia de Rossi in a pond. Instead, we have Julianne Moore, her hubby Kevin Bacon, and a herd of willing devotees trussed up like pastel Easter eggs somewhere very New Englandy altogether. Meet Devon (Meghann Fahy). She roles into town armed with a gift basket of rotting fruit courtesy of her sister (Milly Alcock), who is refusing to acknowledge their sick father. Devon is suspicious of her sister Simone's unsettling bond with Michaela 'KiKi' Kell (Moore), an enigmatic socialite whose luxurious, cult-like world is intoxicating. While staging an intervention, Devon misreads the pieces at play. Expect a darkly funny look at power, class and women with a serious case of the Stepfords. 'Welcome, ladies, sips and nibbles are in the back!' ADVERTISEMENT She The People Netflix, streaming now As she tries to forge her way in politics, Mississippi's first black lieutenant governor must manage her family and tackle a boss who's stuck in Confederate times. Racial stereotypes abound in this Tyler Perry series. Sneaky Links: Dating After Dark Netflix, streaming now Another bikini-clad dating show. Yaaaaaay. Six singles check into a motel looking for love, but there has to be a twist — their casual situationships are headbanging around there too. Can these hook-ups turn into real romance, or will there be too many distractions? Rematch Disney+, streaming now This psychological thriller, based on actual events, tells the story of the historic match-up between IBM's Deep Blue supercomputer and the greatest chess player of all time, Garry Kasparov. If you'd prefer to immerse yourself in the comforting confines of food rather than the ongoing human versus machine debate, maybe give Tucci In Italy a whirl instead. Untold: The Fall of Favre Netflix, streaming now Brett Favre is a Hall of Famer, three-time MVP, and Super Bowl champion, but that's not all. His legacy, disputes and jarring scandals — including a welfare fraud scheme — are unearthed in this week's edition. The Wimbledon Killer Prime Video, streaming now Rachel Nickell was fatally stabbed on Wimbledon Common in July 1992, resulting in Colin Stagg's wrongful arrest. Despite years of searching, the real killer remained unknown, while Robert Napper continued his violent spree across south London. Love Rat Netflix, streaming now As a recent divorcee doing her best Shirley Valentine in Cyprus, Sally Lindsay finds herself in serious trouble — until her holiday romance devolves into theft, deceit and intimidation. Bet Netflix, streaming now At an elite boarding school where the kids of bad people use gambling to dictate status, a new student disrupts the hierarchy, challenging the student council while secretly plotting revenge for her parents' deaths. Think Descendants but with a dash of Monster High meets The Winx Saga and something far more salacious. If real-world drama ignites you more, there's a short film set in a maximum prison called The Quilers. Murderbot AppleTV+, streaming now Based on The Murderbot Diaries, the series follows a rogue and wildly introverted Murderbot (Alexander Skarsgard), who hides its free will while tackling murderous missions. He's like Robocop but more into soap operas.
IOL News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
WATCH: Loved ones celebrate life through song and dance at a funeral
Friends and family sing and dance at a funeral. Image: TikTok screenshot Saying goodbye to a loved one is never easy. While funerals are often solemn occasions filled with grief and reflection, they can also be a time to celebrate the life of the person who has passed. In some cases, guided by the wishes of the deceased or their family, the tone shifts from mourning to joy, honouring their memory in a more uplifting way. It's not unusual for people to request a cheerful farewell, asking their loved ones to celebrate rather than grieve. A recent example from the United Kingdom has captured this spirit. A video showing mourners dancing and singing at a funeral has gone viral on TikTok. With over six million views, the clip has touched hearts worldwide and highlighted how many people choose to honour life with joy instead of sorrow. Staunton Funeral Service offered a glimpse into the funeral when they posted the video on their TikTok account. Captioned, 'This one's for you Lauren. Hope you heard them all singing their hearts out loud and proud. Rest Easy,' you can see that the church is filled. This is often a sign that the deceased was popular and loved by many. In the comment section, a family member shared, 'My cousin Lauren, whose funeral this is, died a week before her 40th birthday. I'm so glad she got the celebration she deserved! She was so loved! She had a heart of gold! RIP my cuz! Love you always.' The video shows a point in the ceremony where most of the people there start to sing and dance to Whitney Houston's hit song 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody.' While many people joyously sang along in unison to the upbeat tune, one could see some wiping their tears away, and family members at the front of the church embracing and consoling each other. Over 12,000 people took to the comment section of the post, expressing how the video impacted them. 'Lauren's energy had to be unmatchable because I'm here in Argentina dancing and singing for her. RIP Lauren, please sing it to my grandma Esme if you find her,' responded one person. Another wrote, 'If there's any possibility that departed souls can be aware of their own funerals, Lauren's loved ones 100% got her attention with this! IOL Lifestyle
Chicago Tribune
14-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Special day for hundreds of IU Northwest grads, families
The youngest of nine children and the third to earn a college degree, Cindy Torres stood before hundreds of fellow graduates and their families Wednesday to share her insight. Indiana University Northwest officials selected Torres, 21, a business major, to deliver the student address at the university's 59th commencement ceremony held outside on the campus' north side. The Lake Central graduate, who lives in Schererville, talked about meeting academic goals, personal loss, and staying focused on the future ahead. She concluded her speech in Spanish, offering thanks to her family for their support. Torres has already lined up a job in the human resources department at grocery store Strack & Van Til, based in Highland. Torres, who graduated with high distinction, said she stayed close to home because she was nervous to try a new environment. What sealed the deal were several scholarships she earned at IU Northwest. 'With all the scholarships I received, I had my entire tuition covered so I will be graduating debt-free.' Navy veteran Bronson Bigbie, 28, of Lowell, served as a mass communications specialist, including his last post on the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier. He finished his degree in three years, taking an extra course load. Bigbie graduated with a 4.0 grade point average and a degree from the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He's heading to the Maurer School of Law at Indiana University. IU Northwest made sense for Bigbie. 'I wanted to stay close to home and it was affordable. It had the degree that I thought was best for me – public affairs.' His busy schedule continues in October when he marries Haley Feiler, of Highland Park, Illinois, who is graduating from IUN with a master's degree in the fall. Destinee Winger, 22, of Portage, has already launched a dessert business for showers and special occasions. Her dream is to open her own bakery in Portage. 'It would be tough, but it's just in my heart,' she said. Winger is president of her Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority where she received its 'Entrepreneur of the Year' award last year. Meanwhile, Jodi Garcia, of Hobart, held roses and a teddy bear for her daughter Ella Garcia who received a degree in biology. Jodi Garcia, dean at Longfellow New Tech Elementary in the Lake Ridge Schools, said her daughter will soon take the exam for admission into medical school. Nearby, Apples Cullum Knapp, of Hobart, anxiously searched the lines of gowned students trying to find her daughter, Sierra Vasquez, 29. A brass quintet played 'I Wanna Dance with Somebody' as Knapp talked about her daughter. 'She's getting a BS in nursing and is already working at the hospital in Hobart,' she said. What she couldn't quite grasp was Sierra's decision to marry her long-time boyfriend Michael Carpenter at 2 p.m. at the courthouse in Crown Point, just a few hours after graduation. 'I can't believe she's getting married,' Knapp said. 'It's such a wonderful day! I couldn't be more proud of the woman she has become. She's my rock.' IUN officials said the Class of 2025 received 24 associate, 472 bachelor and 90 master's degrees. The youngest graduate was 20, while the oldest was 66 with women making up 76% percent of the graduates. Of all the IU campuses, IU Northwest has the highest percentage of first-generation college students at nearly 30%. It also has the most underrepresented students of color at 46%.
