It’s generally thought that songs in a major key sound happier than those in minor. But a new Aussie study suggests this perception isn’t universal. In one of the only studies on the matter involving participants who haven’t been subjected to significant Western influences, researchers from Western Sydney University played major and minor melodies for people living in remote communities in Papua New Guinea, as well as a Sydney-based group. Participants were asked to identify which pieces they thought sounded happier – the Sydney-based group preferred those using major chords, but those in PNG showed no preference. Researchers say it points to a Western understanding of music taught through association or cultural learning. Someone ought to tell Elton John…