Picture this: the low hum of the printer, the rhythmic clatter of keyboards, and the distant murmur of workplace banter—all set to the backdrop of your office playlist on Spotify.
It’s the unsung hero of your workday, the silent DJ curating the soundtrack to your professional escapades. But have you ever wondered what your playlist reveals about you in the daily dance of deadlines and coffee breaks?
Everyone’s music preference says something about what influences their mood and ability to be productive.
We used Spotify’s API to scrape every office and WFH-related playlist to understand why we listen to the music we do during work. Through Spotify’s data we’ve determined the danceability, energy levels, valence, and others, to reveal the most productive songs and artists to listen to!
We analysed 969,705 songs to bring you a comprehensive breakdown of the relation between music and the office.
We scraped through 2531 playlists that people listen to when in the office or working from home – you bet we heard every genre in the process.
We sifted through a total of 289,139 unique songs in the process of compiling our Spotify statistics.
Before we jump into some comprehensive data that delves into the technicality of the songs and genres listened to during the work week, let’s look at the most productive songs and artists.
The Top Spotify Office Artists
Are you the trendsetter who listens to the lesser-known artists, or are you someone who can’t go by without listening to the big mainstream names?
Check out how you compare to the rest of your fellow white-collar workers and see if your personal favourite artists are statistically in the list of most played artists per weekday.
Monday
Just another manic Monday.
The weekend is over, and it’s time to get back to work. Who are we all listening to for kicking off the week?
Fun fact: Mondays are considered the most productive day of the week.
- The Beatles
- Coldplay
- Ed Sheeran
- Michael Jackson
- Queen
- Florence + The Machine
- Taylor Swift
- UNKLE
- Monday Ki
- U2
You’re either nodding your head in agreeance with the list or judging everyone’s taste in music. Either way, that’s who the world is listening to on Mondays!
Tuesday
It’s still the beginning of the week, but you’re starting to shake off the cobwebs and get into your productive rhythm. Interestingly, the top artist list has shifted dramatically within a matter of 24 hours.
Fun fact: Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday are considered the best days of the week for conducting important meetings.
- Evanescence
- Fall Out Boy
- Ed Sheeran
- Taylor Swift
- Arno Babadjanian
- My Chemical Romance
- The Beatles
- Elton John
- Coldplay
- Panic! At The Disco
Ed Sheeran is still a favourite on Tuesdays, and Taylor Swift starts making her way up the list. From contemporary and pop to alternative metal and classical – Tuesdays are quite the mix.
Wednesday
Energy levels are in flux, and we’re halfway through the week until our much-anticipated weekend. On a side note, have you come across an artist yet that makes you scratch your head and think, ‘Who are you again?’
Fun fact: Bosses are more receptive to requests from employees on Wednesdays.
- The Beatles
- Ed Sheeran
- Os Astronautas
- Taylor Swift
- Parachute
- Garabala
- Michael Bublé
- Michael Jackson
- Thirty Seconds to Mars
- John Mayer
We’re glad to see a bit of variety as the week progresses.
Thursday
In anticipation of Friday, some individuals find themselves more productive on a Thursday. Maybe it’s the music?
Fun fact: Thursdays are the least popular day to work from home.
- Jim Brickman
- Ed Sheeran
- Joseph Sullinger
- The Beatles
- Taylor Swift
- Elvis Presley
- Michael Jackson
- The 1975
- Maroon 5
- Elton John
Friday
It’s Friday again!
It is time to wrap up the week after a busy few days of getting things done and feeling satisfied with our hard work. Whether you’re going home after the clock hits 5 PM, or staying back to party at night, let’s see what the vibe is for a Friday workday.
Fun fact: Friday afternoons were found to be the least productive time of the week – not a surprise.
- Taylor Swift
- Elton John
- Rihanna
- Queen
- Beyonce
- Katy Perry
- Van Morrison
- Drake
- Bee Gees
- Kelly Clarkson
Overall, the most listened to artists in the office are Taylor Swift, Queen, Lofi Fruits Music, Vitamin String Quartet, and Drake. The spread of genres these artists cover are a staple for the average music listener and also reflect in the danceability levels of music in the working environment.
The Top Spotify Office Genres
The diverse musical genres that echo through our headphones aren’t just personal preferences; they’re strategic tools for enhancing productivity.
While one corner of the office is pulsating with the anthems of pop punk, another is immersed in the soothing waves of classical compositions. Yet, another resonates with the storytelling tunes of contemporary pop.
It’s more than just a symphony of personal choices; it’s a dynamic connection between music genres and individual productivity.
Interesting Callouts
The top 5 interesting Genres listened to in The Office-
Monday: 27.47% of people listen to Classical
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Tuesday: 16.22% of people listen to Emo Rock
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Wednesday: 12.57% of people listen to Indonesian Jazz
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Thursday: 22.73% of people listen to Acoustic Guitar Covers
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Friday: 42.67% of people listen to Pop music
Monday
- Classical – 27.47%
- Pop – 23.19%
- Dance Pop, Pop – 20.53%
- Acoustic Guitar Cover – 17.54%
- Britpop – 11.31%
Tuesday
- Pop – 35.59%
- Dance Pop, Pop – 20.64%
- Alternative Metal – 17.93%
- Emo, Modern Rock, Pop, Rock – 16.22%
- Pop, Singer-Songwriter Pop, UK Pop – 9.62%
Wednesday
- Pop – 35.43%
- Dance Pop, Pop – 23.43%
- British Invasion, Classic Rock, Merseybeat, Psychedelic Rock, Rock – 14.57%
- Pop, Singer-Songwriter Pop, UK Pop – 14.00%
- Indonesian Jazz – 12.57%
Thursday
- Pop – 25.14%
- New Age, New Age Piano – 24.21%
- Acoustic Guitar Cover – 22.73%
- Dance Pop, Pop – 16.77%
- Piano Cover – 11.15%
Friday
- Pop – 42.67%
- Dance Pop, Pop – 26.30%
- Contemporary Country, Country, Country Road, Modern Country Rock – 13.98%
- Contemporary Country, Country, Country Road – 9.89%
- Glam Rock, Mellow Gold, Piano Rock, Rock – 7.13%
Undoubtedly, pop is king throughout the work week for keeping energy levels at an all-time high and enabling office workers to reach their productivity peaks.
Pop music is characterised by its catchy melodies, upbeat tempo, and infectious rhythms. These qualities can have a stimulating effect on individuals, helping to elevate mood and energy levels. In an office setting, where tasks often require focus and efficiency, it provides a rhythmic backdrop that encourages a positive and dynamic atmosphere.
They are also quite simple and repetitive!
The familiarity and predictability of pop tunes make them less distracting for background listening. Office workers can enjoy the music without being constantly drawn away from their tasks, allowing them to maintain concentration and workflow.
Top Spotify Office Songs
According to our data, there’s a good chance your favourite song to listen to throughout the office week is on this list. Many of us can probably agree with listening to pop, classical or rock while working, but individual songs are where the preferences begin to narrow down.
Did your favourite song make the list?
Monday
- “Home”
- “Wonderwall”
- “Demons”
- “Coming Home”
- “Someone Like You”
- “Happy”
- “Stay”
- “Africa”
- “Closer”
- “Hello”
Tuesday
- “Hero”
- “Photograph”
- “Angels”
- “How Deep Is Your Love”
- “Coming Home”
- “Stay”
- “My Love”
- “September”
- “Magic”
- “Home”
Wednesday
- “Home”
- “September”
- “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”
- “Angel”
- “My Girl”
- “Hold My Hand”
- “Someone Like You”
- “Do It Again”
- “Hallelujah”
- “Hurricane”
Thursday
- “Home”
- “Chasing Cars”
- “Dancing Queen”
- “I Swear”
- “Right Here Waiting”
- “Amazed”
- “Don’t Know Why”
- “More Than Words”
- “ABC”
- “Just the Way You Are”
Friday
- “Home”
- “Heaven”
- “Holiday”
- “September”
- “Crazy”
- “Forever”
- “Wonderwall”
- “Dreams”
- “I Want You Back”
- “Superstar”
WFH Playlists
- “Home”
- “Heaven”
- “Stay”
- “Runaway”
- “Always”
- “Closer”
- “Forever”
- “You”
- “Breathe”
- “Intro”
“Home” is the clear winner of this list, boasting the number one rank for four out of five weekdays. If none of your office playlist songs were on this list, perhaps it’s time to diversify your listening and add some of these most played to your music taste.
A Deeper Dive on What It All Means
The right music can add a touch of rhythm to routine tasks, fostering a more energised and focused atmosphere. Whether it’s the calming vibes of instrumental tunes promoting concentration or the motivational beats encouraging a burst of creativity, music subtly moulds the collective mood of the office.
It’s a tool that, when wielded thoughtfully, contributes to a more dynamic and engaging workplace, without the need for excessive embellishments. Your office playlist is influenced by mood shifts, energy, danceability, productivity, valency, and so much more.
Danceability in Work Settings
You may be glued to a screen and sitting on a chair, but some songs just make you want to bust a move regardless of being at work.
- Office Playlists – Average danceability of 0.586
- WFH Playlists – Average danceability of 0.582
This could be related to maintaining a productive and positive work environment.
*Note: ‘1’ is the highest score possible.
It also depends on the day!
- Monday Playlists – Average danceability of 0.580
- Friday Playlists – Average danceability of 0.635
Notice the significant jump on Friday playlists? This suggests that people on Fridays listen to more upbeat and energetic music heading into the weekend.
Energy Levels and Day of The Week
The ebb and flow of energy levels at the office is something that everyone experiences, but this is also reflected in our choice of music. While they aren’t drastic changes, they enable us to confirm the correlation between energy levels and days of the week.
- Monday – Energy level of 0.628
- Tuesday – Energy level of 0.617
- Wednesday – Energy level of 0.634
- Thursday – Energy level of 0.586
- Friday – Energy level of 0.684
As always, Friday is crowned as the most upbeat day as people anticipate the weekend, while Thursday reflects a mid-week slump before the final push.
Valence (Happy vs Sad)
Valence measures the musical positiveness conveyed by a track, with higher values representing more positive sounds.
These moods commonly shift throughout the week, but needless to say, happier songs always make for a more productive workday. See if your playlist can relate to the mood fluctuations experienced by others!
- Monday – Average valence of 0.514
- Tuesday – Average valence of 0.531
- Wednesday – Average valence of 0.552
- Thursday – Average valence of 0.558
- Friday – Average valence of 0.576
Based on our data, most people listen to progressively happier music.
Try being conscious of how upbeat your music is each workday and if it becomes happier as you approach Friday. If it’s not, try forcing yourself to align the music with this trend.
Speechiness and Playlist Type
Do you notice a change in music preference when working from home or the office?
- Work From Home – Average speechiness of 0.077
- Office – Average speechiness of 0.067
This suggests that tracks with a bit more spoken content might be preferred when working from home.
It could be due to a greater tolerance for lyrical or vocal content in the privacy of one’s home, or it could simply reflect individual preferences that are less constrained when outside a collective office environment.
Key and Mode Relationships
Key and mode relationships illuminate the intricate tapestry of tonal landscapes. A key is the foundation for a musical composition, establishing a central pitch around which the others orbit.
Major and minor scales, the fundamental modes in Western music, offer distinct tonal qualities—majors exuding brightness, minors evoking a darker ambience.
- Office Playlists – 69% Major key and 31% minor key
- Work From Home Playlists – 64% Major key and 35% minor key
Overall, most office workers prefer happier music to get them through the day, while remote workers accept a wider emotional range, where individual mood and taste can have a greater influence on music choice.
Acousticness and Work Environment
Believe it or not, the level of acoustics in the 9-5 worker’s music choice also changes based on their work environment.
Office Playlist – Average acousticness of 0.311
Work From Home Playlists – Average acousticness of 0.354
This suggests that people might prefer a slightly more acoustic or less electronic sound when working from home.
It can be due to a variety of factors, including the need for a more relaxed atmosphere at home, or the absence of a shared office environment where more neutral or electronic music might be chosen to suit a variety of tastes.
This deep data can reveal a lot about office productivity and employee patterns through music. If your Spotify playlist has a low valence level, it may correlate without other factors such as reduced danceability and energy levels.
What did you learn about yourself from these Spotify statistics?
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