Scientists in the U.K. have come up with a program that analyzes 23 characteristics of a song to determine if it will be a hit. Loudness, melody, and beats per minute all play a part. The BBC says, “Trained using hit songs from the Top 40 over the last 50 years, the software can predict chart positions with about 60% accuracy, the scientists say.”

Dr Tijl De Bie leads the team who came up with the software. They used the top 40 songs on the U.K. charts for the past 50 years to come up with their theory, which they say “can predict chart positions with about 60% accuracy.” According the their findings, in the 50’s and 60’s harmony ruled the airwaves, but since then danceability has become a big factor, not to mention that hit songs are getting louder and louder.