London: The guitar riffs of songs such as the Rolling Stones’ Street Fighting Man and heavy basslines of hip-hop tracks are most likely to incite punch-ups in Britain’s pubs and nightclubs, says a new research.
On the other hand, Robbie Williams, best known for his anthem Angels, leads the list of artists whose hits can calm drunken revellers, according to the study.
Glasgow University researchers have discovered why music can turn a night out violent.
The study, funded by the NHS, claims to provide the first evidence of a link between music and pub violence.
The research team, who monitored the playlists and outbreaks of fighting at eight pubs and bars in Glasgow city centre, found that loud rock and rap music encouraged customers to drink more, increasing loutish behaviour that often spilt over into violence.
The pounding rhythms also made it difficult for customers to hear one another, causing misunderstandings.
Songs such as I’ve Had The Time of My Life from the Dirty Dancing film were found to encourage provocative dancing by women, which led to confrontations when they were propositioned by men.
Rock music such as AC/DC’s Highway to Hell and the Rolling Stones’ Brown Sugar was found to encourage macho posturing and aggressive behaviour among male customers.
However, researchers also discovered that Sonny and Cher’s I Got You Babe and Williams’ hits could be used to defuse potential disputes. Easy listening and “slushy” romantic songs were sometimes used to deter gangs of young men from entering pubs.
“We avoid playing R&B and rap music in our pubs. Our research shows that the bassline can be quite aggressive and could potentially cause problems,” Times Online quoted JD Wetherspoon, one of Britain’s biggest pub chains, as saying.
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