For many car drivers, selecting the right music before getting in the car has become second nature, akin to putting on a seatbelt.

Knowing this, car insurance comparison service, iSelect, wanted to determine if this common habit could impact your ability to stay focused behind the wheel. To do so, iSelect analysed a playlist of Australia’s current top 50 songs on Spotify, assessing each track based on its beats per minute (BPM), energy level, danceability and loudness.

What are the most distracting chart-toppers for drivers?

The top gong on the ranking goes to “Victory Lap” by Fred Again, Skepta and Plaqueboymax, with an index score of 8.64. This tune tops the index for danceability with a score of 89 out of 100. The song from the three British artists records 140 beats per minute (BPM), typical of a UK rap song, and a loudness of -3 dB, making it the equal second loudest in the rankings.

Second on the list is “I Run” by HAVEN. and Kaitlin Aragon. This electronic dance track is bumped up by its high loudness (-3 dB) and energy scores (82 out of 100). The song, which uses artificial intelligence- generated vocals, could be distracting to drivers with an index score of 7.91.

In tied third place, with an index score of 7.50, is “12 to 12” by sombr and “Opalite” by Taylor Swift. 12 to 12 records a chart-topping score of 90 out of 100 for energy, as anyone who has been caught humming along to this break-up tune would understand. Swift’s “Opalite,” from her latest album The Life of a Showgirl, is in the upper bracket for both energy (score of 82 out of 100) and danceability (score of 81 out of 100).

What are the least distracting trending tunes?

For those looking to enjoy top hits and have a safe journey on the roads, they need look no further than Gigi Perez’s “Sailor Song”. The viral TikTok tune has the lowest distraction score in the index, at 0.78.

It was the equal quietest track on the index at -10 dB (along with “Aperture” by Harry Styles, “Dreams – 2004 Remaster” by Fleetwood Mac, “Every Breath You Take” by The Police and “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish) and has the second lowest energy score at 39 out of 100. These factors, along with a low BPM of 95, mean the indie folk song is less likely to be a distraction, but is nonetheless great to belt your heart out to.

Please note that this information and survey was done in Australia. Might be very different for Malaysia and Singapore.