London, Sept 29 (ANI): A team of academics has voted Queen's 'We Are The Champions' as the catchiest pop song of all time.

They observed thousands of volunteers and concluded that there are four elements in a song that inspire unabashed wedding guests and clubbers to belt out their favourites in public.

The four elements of the singalongs are: long and detailed musical phrases, multiple pitch changes in a song's 'hook', male vocalists and higher male voices making a noticeable vocal effort.

Using this formula, the researchers compiled a list of the 10 most singalongable hits, and it was 'We are the Champions' by rock group Queen that clinched the top spot.

"Every musical hit is reliant on maths, science, engineering and technology; from the physics and frequencies of sound that determine pitch and harmony, to the hi-tech digital processors and synthesisers which can add effects to make a song more catchy," the Daily Mail quoted Dr Daniel Mullensiefen of Goldsmiths University, London, as saying.

"We've discovered that there's a science behind the sing-along and a special combination of neuroscience, maths and cognitive psychology can produce the elusive elixir of the perfect sing-along song," he added.

The findings were released to coincide with the final call for entries to the 2012 National Science and Engineering Competition. (ANI)