Happiness is… a Beautiful Day, on Full Blast

LONDON, November 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Britain is a nation of happiness and inspiration seekers when it comes to music with a whopping nine out of ten people (95 per cent) boldly claiming that tunes have the power to evoke happy memories. Music's ability to rouse and move also scored similarly highly with 93 per cent of people regarding their favourite song as inspiring.

The research, conducted on behalf of cruise company Royal Caribbean International, also found that we are a nation of passionate music lovers with three-quarters of people (74 per cent) stating that music is important to them. People also agreed that music enhanced memories with about a third (31 per cent) re-living their favourite holiday memories on cue to a particular track.

The research coincides with the announcement that new ship, Anthem of the Seas, will become the most entertainment-dedicated and technologically advanced cruise ship ever to be based in the UK when it launches in spring 2015.

As part of the research, music industry expert, author and DJ, Stuart Maconie, selected five anthems - both recently popular and traditional - and asked the nation to choose the song that makes them the happiest. The top three tunes - U2's Beautiful Day with 36 per cent of the vote; the Beatles' Hey Jude with 28 per cent of the vote; and Hubert Parry's Jerusalem with 22 per cent - reflect the diversity of tunes that reach anthem status.

When choosing an anthem, people were also asked what qualifies a piece of music to become anthemic in status. Music's clear association with optimism was also evident in the results with 44 per cent looking for a song to rouse their spirits, and 23 per cent after a song that brings people together. Just seven per cent of people looked for a tune that they could sing along to, reinforcing that a strong anthem is more than just a catchy song.

Stuart Maconie comments

"Making people happy, energised, inspired or passionate is a phenomenal attribute of music in general, and one that a great anthem can universally deliver. We often overlook the power of music to enhance our everyday lives, to soundtrack it. to celebrate it. The ability of a piece of music to capture the feeling of a positive moment, and then being able to recreate the emotional experience each time it is heard is very special. No wonder music is so important in so many people's lives."

Respondents who stated that they have one outright favourite song further endorsed the joy-enhancing qualities of music with 89 per cent finding that this track had the power to make them feel happy.

As the name suggests, Anthem of the Seas from Royal Caribbean International will include some of the most technologically advanced music and entertainment spaces in the world. This includes Music Hall at the heart of the ship's music scene and built to showcase the best in live music, and venue Two70°, named for its magnificent 270-degree panoramic sea views provided by vast, floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Featuring a three storey bar, and huge entertainment spaces, Two70° offers entertainment technology so advanced that it is only found in two other locations in the world.

Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International, explains:

"Brits have shaped the music world and really know their music, and our new ship, Anthem of the Seas, has music at its heart.  Basing a new ship in Southampton shows our commitment to the UK and is also a bold statement of our confidence to continue to be leaders of innovation in music and entertainment. We look forward to bringing Anthem of the Seas to the UK to deliver amazing memories and experiences."

Anthem of the Seas will launch in spring 2015 and sail from Southampton during the summer and autumn, before heading to Fort Lauderdale in Florida for the winter months. A sister-ship, Quantum of the Seas will launch in November 2014.

For more information on Anthem of the Seas, and Royal Caribbean International's award-winning holiday and entertainment experiences, please visit http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk.

Media can stay up to date by following @MyRoyalUK #Anthem on Twitter, and visiting http://www.royalcaribbeanpresscenter.com and http://www.royalcaribbean.co.uk/anthemoftheseas

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/royalcaribbeanuk and see pictures on Instagram: http://instagram.com/royalcaribbeanuk

Travel professionals should go to Cruisingpower.com

About Royal Caribbean International:

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.

Notes to editors:

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2,043 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 15th - 18th November 2013.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

Research Highlights:

• Britain is a nation of music lovers with ¾ of people (74%) saying music is important to them
  • Perhaps surprisingly, the figure is slightly higher for women than for men  - 76% compared with 71%
    
• When asked what makes a song an anthem, the overwhelming choice was a song that rouses the spirits, with 44% of people defining it in that way
  
• 9 out of 10 people (89%) say their favourite song has the power to make them happy
  • 91% women, 88% men
    
• More than 9 out of 10 people feel that music can be inspirational (93%)
  • 96% women, 91% men
    
• When asked which of the songs from the list had the power to make them feel happy, more than a third (36%) opted for U2's It's a Beautiful Day, followed by The Beatles' classic Hey Jude (28%)
  
• Music is strongly associated with memory.  When asked if music could evoke happy memories, the response was almost universal, with 95% of people agreeing that it can:
  • This breaks down as 67% strongly agreed and 27% tend to agree
  • This is significantly higher for women than for men, with almost three quarters of women (72%) saying music can have this effect compared with six out of ten men (60%)
    
• When asked is there a particular song that brings back memories, people responded as follows:
  • A break up - 20%
  • A wedding - 21%
  • A holiday - 31%
  • A romance - 36%

• When asked what defines an anthem, people responded as follows:
  • A song that brings people together - 23%
  • Something I can sing along to - 7%
  • A song that perfectly captures my emotions - 14%
  • A song that rouses the spirits - 44%