Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na, Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na, Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na, Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na!
Nope I haven’t suddenly gone doolally (as the old and probably now banned adage goes, you don’t have to be mad to work here but it helps). Apparently, everyone’s talking about how the lyrics above, from Gala’s 1990s hit Freed From Desire are the UK’s unofficial national anthem for joy.
Looming Bank Holiday? Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na!
Just got a pay rise? Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na!
Found yourself a new fella? Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na!
Football team winning? Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na!
You name it and Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na hits the spot, it seems.
But why, I hear you ask? Well, stay with me here, because yet-another-company-which-is-desperate-for-some-PR – the online gaming platform Slotozilla – has asked psychologist Anne Forbant to break down the science behind why the tune continues to dominate celebrations, and why Brits instinctively turn to it in moments of pure elation.
“There’s a science behind it,” says Anne. “The song’s tempo sits in the sweet spot for energising the body – around 125 BPM – which naturally boosts heart rate and stimulates movement. Combine that with the repetitive melody, chant-like chorus, and nostalgic association, and it lights up multiple areas of the brain linked to reward, memory, and emotion.”
You see, on a neurological level, Freed From Desire triggers a surge of dopamine – the brain’s ‘feel good’ chemical – especially when played or sung in group settings. The collective emotion, the rhythm, and the sense of triumph all feed into a shared high.
When thousands of people chant the same lyrics in unison, it creates a powerful moment of emotional synchrony – it’s more than celebration, it’s release. According to Anne, that’s why this song keeps showing up when we win – in football, in life, and, wait for it, wait for it, “even in casinos” (a likely story)…
From stadiums and weddings to pub singalongs and big wins, the track has evolved from a 1990s dance hit into a modern ritual for joy – proving that feel-good music isn’t just about taste, it’s about chemistry.
Ah well, as they say, if you can’t beat ’em you’d better join ’em… Na-na-na-na-na, na-na, na-na-na, na-na-na!
Have a good one.
Follow Foxy on X and Instagram if you must, but don’t get too excited as I’m never there
