The greatest decade for pop music has been revealed (according to science)

28 March 2019, 11:26

Headphones
Picture: Getty

By Tom Eames

The arguments are over, as we can now definitely reveal what was the greatest decade when it comes to music. Sort of.

Many will say the Beatles and the 1960s, others will love the glam of the '70s, or the electronic '80s and so on.

But to avoid any fallouts over which was the greatest decade, scientists have now stepped in to settle it once and for all.

A new study from a team at New York University saw 643 people aged between 18 and 25 being asked about their pop knowledge over the last 50 years.

QUIZ: Can you name these cult '70s and '80s bands?

And fans of the '60s will rejoice, as it seems that songs from that decade proved to be much more memorable than songs from the years 2000 to 2015.

‘When A Man Loves A Woman’ by Percy Sledge, Blondie’s ’The Tide Is High’ and surprisingly ‘Baby Come Back’ by Player were among the most memorable songs on the list.

Percy Sledge - When a man loves a woman

In terms of the least memorable, it went to Dawn’s ‘Knock Three Times’, John Denver’s ‘I’m Sorry’ and Lionel Richie’s ’Truly.’

“The 1960s to 1990s was a special time in music, reflected by a steady recognition of pieces of that era-even by today’s millennials,” said Dr Pascal Wallisch.

“Spotify was launched in 2008, well after nearly 90% of the songs we studied were released, which indicates millennials are aware of the music that, in general, preceded their lives and are nonetheless choosing to listen to it.”

Do you agree with the findings?