News
September 07, 2025
You Belong With Me... On Hold: Scientists Find Taylor Swift the Key to Call-Waiting Bliss
Led by expert music psychologist Dr Mimi O'Neill, researchers at the University of York put 2,540 participants on hold - playing them hours of songs and sounds to test their response.
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Forget elevator music! Scientists have discovered that Taylor Swift might just be the secret weapon to a more pleasant call-waiting experience. A new study from the University of York suggests that listening to the pop superstar's music significantly reduces frustration and perceived wait time when people are placed on hold.
The groundbreaking research, spearheaded by renowned music psychologist Dr. Mimi O'Neill, involved a whopping 2,540 participants. These individuals were subjected to various audio stimuli while on hold, ranging from the standard hold music and generic soundscapes to carefully curated playlists featuring artists like Taylor Swift. The goal was to analyze their emotional and psychological responses to different types of auditory input during this often-irritating experience.
Dr. O'Neill and her team meticulously tracked participant reactions, monitoring factors like self-reported frustration levels, perceived wait times, and overall mood. The results were striking. Participants who listened to Taylor Swift's music reported feeling significantly less anxious and more relaxed compared to those exposed to traditional hold music or other generic sounds.
"We were surprised by the consistently positive response to Taylor Swift's music across a diverse range of participants," explained Dr. O'Neill. "It appears that the familiar melodies, relatable lyrics, and upbeat tempos have a calming and engaging effect, effectively distracting listeners from the perceived length of their wait."
While the study didn't delve into specific songs, researchers noted that the overall positive impact was consistent across various tracks from Swift's discography. This suggests that the singer's signature style, characterized by catchy hooks and emotionally resonant themes, is key to its effectiveness as a call-waiting remedy.
The implications of this study are far-reaching. Businesses and organizations are constantly seeking ways to improve customer satisfaction, and reducing frustration during phone interactions is a crucial aspect of that. By incorporating Taylor Swift's music into their call-waiting systems, companies could potentially transform a negative experience into a more positive one, leading to happier customers and improved brand perception. So next time you're stuck on hold, maybe request a little "Shake it Off" – it might just make the wait a whole lot easier.
Forget elevator music! Scientists have discovered that Taylor Swift might just be the secret weapon to a more pleasant call-waiting experience. A new study from the University of York suggests that listening to the pop superstar's music significantly reduces frustration and perceived wait time when people are placed on hold.
The groundbreaking research, spearheaded by renowned music psychologist Dr. Mimi O'Neill, involved a whopping 2,540 participants. These individuals were subjected to various audio stimuli while on hold, ranging from the standard hold music and generic soundscapes to carefully curated playlists featuring artists like Taylor Swift. The goal was to analyze their emotional and psychological responses to different types of auditory input during this often-irritating experience.
Dr. O'Neill and her team meticulously tracked participant reactions, monitoring factors like self-reported frustration levels, perceived wait times, and overall mood. The results were striking. Participants who listened to Taylor Swift's music reported feeling significantly less anxious and more relaxed compared to those exposed to traditional hold music or other generic sounds.
"We were surprised by the consistently positive response to Taylor Swift's music across a diverse range of participants," explained Dr. O'Neill. "It appears that the familiar melodies, relatable lyrics, and upbeat tempos have a calming and engaging effect, effectively distracting listeners from the perceived length of their wait."
While the study didn't delve into specific songs, researchers noted that the overall positive impact was consistent across various tracks from Swift's discography. This suggests that the singer's signature style, characterized by catchy hooks and emotionally resonant themes, is key to its effectiveness as a call-waiting remedy.
The implications of this study are far-reaching. Businesses and organizations are constantly seeking ways to improve customer satisfaction, and reducing frustration during phone interactions is a crucial aspect of that. By incorporating Taylor Swift's music into their call-waiting systems, companies could potentially transform a negative experience into a more positive one, leading to happier customers and improved brand perception. So next time you're stuck on hold, maybe request a little "Shake it Off" – it might just make the wait a whole lot easier.
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Politics