by The Soothing Sounds of Bublé: Why Listening to His Music Can Boost Your Mood and Well-Being
Michael Bublé is one of the most popular jazz and pop crooners of our time. Since emerging on the music scene in the early 2000s, the Canadian singer has sold over 75 million records worldwide with his signature smooth vocals and charming stage presence. While his music is beloved by many, not everyone may be aware of the potential psychological and emotional benefits that listening to Bublé’s songs can provide. In this article, we will explore several ways that cranking up some Bublé tunes may positively impact your mood, stress levels, and overall well-being.
Mood Booster
One of the main reasons Bublé’s music can lift your spirits is due to its upbeat tempo and focus on themes of love and romance. Many of his songs have an energetic jazz or big band sound that gets your foot tapping. Lyrically, he often sings about finding or being with a romantic partner. This type of happy, optimistic subject matter can trigger the release of dopamine and endorphins in the brain – chemicals that induce feelings of pleasure and reward.
Research has shown that listening to music you find enjoyable activates the mesolimbic pathway in the brain, which is associated with reward-seeking behavior.1 When this pathway is stimulated by a positive stimulus like an upbeat song, it promotes the release of dopamine, the brain’s feel-good neurotransmitter. Higher dopamine levels are linked to improved mood, motivation, and reduced stress or depressive symptoms.2 Endorphins, the brain’s natural painkillers, may also be released in response to pleasurable music listening. Both dopamine and endorphins bind to opioid receptors in the brain to produce a calming effect and induce positive emotions.
Simply listening to Bublé’s joyful tunes for 15-30 minutes could provide a mini “mood-boost” by activating these natural reward systems in the brain. Songs like “Feeling Good,” “Everything,” or “Haven’t Met You Yet” exemplify his cheerful sound and may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed afterwards due to the dopamine/endorphin effect. For this reason, putting on a Bublé playlist can be an easy and drug-free way to lift your spirits when you’re feeling down.
Nostalgia Factor
In addition to upbeat melodies, many of Bublé’s most popular songs are covers of classic jazz standards from the 1930s-60s. Tunes like “Fly Me to the Moon,” “My Funny Valentine,” and “Sway” were made famous by legendary artists like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Hearing familiar melodies from this “Great American Songbook” era can trigger feelings of nostalgia in listeners.
Nostalgia is a positive emotional experience that occurs when reflecting on people, places, or objects from the past that hold sentimental meaning.3 Research shows nostalgia promotes psychological well-being through several mechanisms. It boosts positive mood and self-esteem by evoking fond memories from happier times.4 It also satisfies core psychological needs for social connection and a sense of meaning or purpose by reflecting on important relationships and life experiences.5
The nostalgic effect of Bublé’s classic jazz covers stems from their ability to transport listeners back to a romanticized period in history. Even if you didn’t live through the actual era, these timeless songs conjure images of black-and-white Hollywood films, lavish ballrooms, and carefree socializing. The nostalgia they induce can promote feelings of comfort, familiarity, and optimism – like briefly stepping into a warm hug from the past. This makes Bublé’s music particularly soothing to listen to during times of stress, sadness, or loneliness.
Relaxation
Beyond mood-boosting qualities, the easy-listening nature of Bublé’s music can also induce relaxation, helping to reduce anxiety, muscle tension and promote restfulness. Several musical elements contribute to its calming effect.
First, his songs generally have a moderate tempo between 80-110 beats per minute. Research associates faster music (above 120 bpm) with increased arousal and stress, while slower tempos below 80 bpm promote relaxation.6 Bublé’s mid-range pace is neither too fast nor slow to be stimulating or sedating.
Melodies are also usually smooth and predictable, following standard verse-chorus structures. The brain likes familiar patterns and gets stressed by irregularities, so these predictable melodies are comforting.7 Rhythms are also consistent and steady versus erratic.
Instruments used like piano, double bass, and muted brass blend together harmoniously without sharp timbres. Lyrics focus on themes of love rather than aggression. And Bublé’s soothing baritone vocals are relaxed yet expressive.
All these elements combine to create music that is easy for the brain to process without taxing the central nervous system. Repeated exposure may even condition the body to associate his sound with feelings of calm through classical conditioning. Simply put on some Bublé in the background to unwind after a stressful day!
Sing Along Fun
Beyond passive listening, Bublé’s catchy tunes also inspire singing along – and research suggests this can enhance the relaxation response even more. Singing engages multiple areas of the brain and triggers the release of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine to improve mood.8 It also lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol while synchronizing breathing, heart rate, and muscle movement into a calming rhythm.
Group singing in particular satisfies innate human needs for social bonding and can reduce anxiety in a way similar to hugs or holding hands.9 Even solo singing at home allows you to get “lost” in the music, distracting from worries or physical tension. Bublé’s familiar classics are easy to sing along to whether you’re in the shower or driving alone. His upbeat yet undemanding songs don’t require technical vocal skills, inviting participation.
So crank up “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town” or “Haven’t Met You Yet” and fully engage your body and mind through singing. Multisensory musical activities may provide even greater relaxation than passive listening alone.
Gateway to Jazz
For those unfamiliar or intimidated by the jazz genre, Michael Bublé can serve as an approachable gateway. His smooth renditions of classic standards are arranged for mainstream pop audiences without sacrificing the essence of the original big band-era compositions.
Listening expands your musical horizons beyond familiar top 40 hits by exposing you to great American songwriters like George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Johnny Mercer. Over time, you may develop a new appreciation for jazz instrumentation like saxophones, trumpets, and double bass. Bublé’s charming stage presence can also help jazz feel more accessible versus stuffy or highbrow.
Engaging with novel musical genres provides cognitive stimulation, which is linked to maintaining brain health as we age.10 Novelty activates reward pathways in the brain similarly to other pleasurable experiences like food, sex, and social bonding. Regular exposure over time may even influence what types of music you prefer.
So put on some Bublé and take a musical adventure beyond your comfort zone. His jazz covers could open the door to a lifetime of enjoying this rich American art form. Broadening your tastes enhances well-roundedness and leaves you more interesting to converse with!
Potential Caveats
Of course, not every person will enjoy Michael Bublé’s style, and musical preference is highly subjective based on individual taste and exposure. Some may find his vocals overly sentimental or arrangements too saccharine. His focus on romance could also feel exclusionary or superficial to listeners seeking other themes in music.
Additionally, the mood-boosting effects of any music depend on it genuinely lifting your spirits versus feeling like a chore to listen to. Forced positivity rarely works as well as intrinsically enjoyable activities. Individual results will vary based on current psychological state, life experiences shaping associations, and other situational factors.
Finally, music should complement – not replace – other healthy lifestyle habits. While it can temporarily boost mood, underlying issues often require additional self-care strategies involving nutrition, exercise, social support, therapy, or medication if needed. One should not rely solely on music for mental wellness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, regularly listening to Michael Bublé’s soothing jazz and pop standards may provide psychological and emotional benefits for some individuals by acting as a natural mood-booster, stress-reliever, and gateway to new musical horizons. His upbeat yet familiar songs aim to please with catchy melodies, soothing vocals, and themes of nostalgia and romance.
Of course, musical taste remains personal, and his style will not resonate with everyone. But for those who enjoy Bublé’s charming brand of easy-listening jazz, incorporating his music into your routine could help brighten your day, unwind after stress, and provide cognitive stimulation through new genres. So next time you need a quick pick-me-up, why not let the smooth sounds of Bublé lift your spirits?
