Singing transcends cultures. Across the globe, we sing to soothe infants, coordinate dance, promote healing and express love. But are there universal acoustic patterns underlying different song types?

English-language music is listened to across the globe, and while we try our best to celebrate non-English language songs, they're not as successful.

(Eric Rojas; kpa/United Archives via Getty Images; Nicolas Gerardin; Marco Del Grande/The Sydney Morning Herald/Fairfax Media via Getty Images; Cindy Ord/WireImage) Non-English-language music has a ...