The Most Heartbroken Music Fans in Singapore

Music platforms such as Spotify have transformed how we discover songs and playlists that resonate with our emotions, regardless of the language of the lyrics. Studies show that music serves as a universal language, allowing us to connect with feelings and experiences beyond words.

Do some artists have a unique ability to evoke specific emotions in their listeners? As language learning experts providing online English lessons, Chinese tuition, and various language classes in Singapore, we set out to explore the fascinating realm of music and lyrics. Our goal is to discover which artists resonate deeply with Singaporean fans, making them laugh, cry, or dance the night away through the power of song.

To uncover the emotional impact of music, we surveyed 1,502 Singaporeans, exploring which artists evoke feelings of happiness, sadness, anger, and love.

Key findings

• Taylor Swift ranks as the top music artist for boosting mood, with 23.6% of fans reporting her songs make them happy. Additionally, 25.9% of listeners feel a sense of love through her music.
• Jay Chou is the artist whose music evokes the most sadness, with 19.5% of fans reporting that his songs make them feel sad.
• Linkin Park is the artist that evokes the most anger among listeners, with 14.1% of fans reporting this emotional response to their music.

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Taylor Swift and Maroon 5 are the best artists for putting us in a good mood

When we’re feeling upbeat, it’s common to turn on our favorite tunes, and certain artists excel at lifting our spirits. A recent survey revealed that an impressive 79.8% of Singaporeans love listening to cheerful music, with 77.8% turning to these uplifting tracks to enhance their mood during tougher times. So, who are the reigning champions of feel-good music?

Our recent survey reveals that Taylor Swift reigns as the artist with the happiest fans, with an impressive 23.6% of respondents expressing that her music uplifts their spirits. While many of Swift’s 274 songs delve into deep emotions, it’s her catchy pop tracks that seem to bring the most joy. During the Singapore leg of her Eras Tour, she charmingly incorporated local Singlish phrases like “no lah” (meaning “no”) and “siao ah” (meaning “crazy”) into her performances. This thoughtful gesture helped bridge the language gap and further delighted her fans, showcasing her connection with the audience.

Serangoon stands out as a vibrant hub for Taylor Swift fans, with an impressive 36.4% of locals stating that her music brings them joy—marking the highest percentage of any area in Singapore.

T-Swift is also the most likely to make both Gen-Z (23.3%), Millennials, and Gen-Y (24.9%) feel happy when listening.

Securing the runner-up spot is the iconic band Maroon 5. Known for chart-toppers like “Moves Like Jagger” and “Memories,” this Los Angeles-based group is spreading joy across the nation with their infectious pop-rock sound. They garnered the support of 19.8% of survey respondents, proving their ability to lift spirits everywhere.

K-pop stars Blackpink come third, with 15.2%, followed by “King of Mandopop” Jay Chou, with 14.3% reporting that his music brings them joy.

Jay Chou, known for exclusively singing in Mandarin, offers a fantastic entry point for anyone looking to enhance their language skills. With 62.6% of people enjoying music in foreign languages, his catchy tunes can be both entertaining and educational. However, to truly refine your Mandarin, consider complementing your listening with one-on-one lessons from a Chinese teacher. This personalized approach will help you move beyond the lyrics and engage in meaningful conversations.

The artist least likely to lift fans’ spirits is the English pop-rock band The Kooks, with only 1.2% of listeners feeling upbeat. Close behind is Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalía, who comes in at 1.3%.

Need a good cry? Jay Chou and Taylor Swift are the go-to artists to feel sad

Music has the power to elevate our spirits, but it can also evoke sadness. In fact, our survey revealed that more than half of Singaporeans (51.1%) find solace in listening to melancholic tunes. Whether it’s for catharsis or simply to indulge in a moment of reflection, we all have those artists whose melodies can bring us to tears.

Our survey revealed that Jay Chou tops the list, making 19.5% of fans feel sad, as well as making 14.3% of people feel happy.

Renowned for his exceptional songwriting and unique musical style, the Taiwanese artist masterfully blends joy and melancholy in his work. His lyrics capture a bittersweet essence, offering listeners both uplifting and poignant reflections.

In an intriguing twist from our survey, Taylor Swift secures the second spot, with nearly 19% of fans revealing that her music evokes feelings of sadness. Known for her poignant love ballads and heart-wrenching breakup anthems, alongside catchy upbeat tracks, it’s clear why listeners experience such a mix of emotions when tuning into her songs.

Mandopop sensation JJ Lin has captured the hearts of many, securing third place overall, as 18.2% of fans admit his music evokes feelings of sadness. Following closely in fourth is Eric Chou, just ahead of global icon Adele. Remarkably, three of the top five artists that evoke sadness among listeners perform in Chinese. This trend aligns with a study revealing that 29.3% of Singaporeans perceive most Chinese songs as depressing, highlighting a cultural connection to these emotional melodies.

Exploring generational trends, Jay Chou resonates deeply with Millennials and Gen-Y, evoking feelings of sadness in 22% of this group. In contrast, Taylor Swift takes the lead among Gen-Z, with 25.6% of them identifying her music as a source of emotional impact.

Vocal sensation Celine Dion dominates the music charts for both Generation X (21.6%) and the Baby Boomer generation (18.8%). Her remarkable popularity can be attributed to her peak fame during the 1990s, a time before Generation Z came onto the scene.

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Linkin Park is the most likely to make fans feel angry

Music possesses a unique ability to stir a vast array of emotions, extending far beyond simple joy or sorrow. Certain artists and genres can even tap into feelings of frustration and anger. This raises an intriguing question: which artist reigns supreme when it comes to having the most passionate, and often angriest, fans?

Linkin Park tops the list as the artist that stirs the most anger among fans, with 14.1% confessing to clenching their fists while enjoying their music. This intensity may stem from the band’s powerful alternative rock sound and the passionate vocals of the late Chester Bennington. Additionally, listeners might feel a surge of anger tied to the lead singer’s tragic passing, which adds an emotional layer to their music.

Rapper Eminem secures the second spot, with 12% of Singaporeans indicating that his music evokes feelings of anger. Known for his technically skillful yet intensely aggressive lyrics, it’s no surprise that he ranks as one of the artists who stirs the strongest emotions among fans.

The iconic heavy metal band Metallica secured third place with 9.8% of the votes, a result that reflects the genre’s powerful appeal. Known for its exploration of themes like rebellion, angst, and personal struggle, heavy metal resonates deeply with fans, making Metallica a fitting contender in this ranking.

When it comes to artists who keep their fans the happiest, Vũ leads the pack with just 1.7% dissatisfaction. Close behind are Radwimps at 2% and LANY at 2.1%, showcasing their ability to resonate positively with listeners.

Sembawang is notable for its unique connection to music, as a remarkable 32.7% of residents report that listening to Linkin Park stirs feelings of anger—the highest percentage across all of Singapore.

Eminem steals the top spot for Gen-Z (14.8%), Linkin Park for Millenials (16%) and Gen X (13.7%), while for Baby Boomers, it’s Metallica (10%).

“Lover” Era: Taylor Swift is the best artist for loved-up fans

Music possesses a remarkable power to connect with our deepest emotions, whether through relatable lyrics or soothing melodies. But which artists have the greatest ability to evoke feelings of love?

Taylor Swift reigns supreme once again, with an impressive 25.9% of listeners reporting they feel love when her music plays. It’s no wonder, given that she is one of the most renowned artists globally. Love is a central theme in almost all of her songs, making her a deserving frontrunner on our list of beloved music.

Next up is British artist Ed Sheeran, known for his heartfelt love songs, with “Thinking Out Loud” standing out as a beautiful anthem of everlasting romance. Interestingly, 20.1% of Singaporeans report feeling a surge of love when they hear his music. Following closely is American singer Bruno Mars, who captures the hearts of 15.9% of listeners in the survey.

When it comes to artists who fans feel least inclined to love, alternative singer Pamungkas, Japanese sensation Rina Sawayama, and Vietnamese talent Vũ lead the pack, each garnering just 1.5% of the votes.

Research shows that approximately 57% of individuals believe that listening to global music enhances their language learning experience. This trend highlights how popular artists can play a significant role in language acquisition worldwide. For instance, if you’re beginning to learn Japanese, immersing yourself in the music of Japanese-speaking artists can be a fantastic starting point. To take your skills to the next level, consider partnering with an online Japanese instructor at LingualNeeds, who can guide you toward achieving a native-like fluency.

The power of song lyrics in language learning

Most of us enjoy listening to music regularly—our survey reveals that 73.4% of Singaporeans tune in daily! This popular pastime can also be a fantastic learning tool, allowing you to merge your passion for music with new knowledge.

Language specialist Sylvia Johnson from LingualNeeds highlights the advantages of immersing yourself in music while learning a new language. She explains that listening to artists sing in your target language not only helps you hear and repeat new vocabulary but also allows you to grasp the emotions and nuances conveyed through their inflections and vocal styles. This rich context enhances your understanding of words and phrases for practical use in everyday conversations. Remarkably, a survey reveals that over half (57%) of Singaporeans believe that listening to international music aids their language learning journey.

Learning new phrases through songs makes them easier to remember, especially if it’s a tune you enjoy. Singing along helps reinforce your memory, and you can easily repeat the process. Additionally, this method allows you to dive deep into another culture. Explore the song, the album, the artist, and their background; the more you discover, the richer your language-learning journey will be!

Methodology

In June 2024, a survey involving 1,502 Singaporeans was conducted to explore the emotional impact of various artists. Participants shared which artists evoke feelings of happiness, sadness, anger, or love. The survey aimed for a diverse demographic, ensuring that the findings accurately reflect the sentiments of the broader population.