Catchy 20 second songs you can wash your hands to

The health secretary Matt Hancock has suggested that, in order to prevent the Covid-19 strain of coronavirus, people should wash their hands for 20 seconds at a time, while singing Happy Birthday twice.

However a tune like Happy Birthday may get a little tedious, so here are a few alternative choruses of songs that take about 20 seconds to sing while you scrub.

Love On Top by Beyoncé

At the end of Love On Top, Beyoncé demonstrates her legendary range by belting the chorus four times in increasingly high keys. You only have to sing the chorus once, in the key of your choice, to time 20 seconds of hand washing.

Hand washing chorus: “Baby it’s you / You’re the one I love / You’re the one I need / You’re the only one I see / Come on baby it’s you / You’re the one that gives your all / You’re the one I can always call / When I need to make everything stop / Finally you put my love on top”

Take on Me by A-ha

The chorus of this one is also 20 seconds once through, provided you can hold the last note and resist the urge to rush it along. The high notes might be a problem for some, so start on the lowest note available to you.

Hand washing chorus: “Take on me (take on me)/ Take me on (take on me)/ I'll be gone/ In a day or two”