A poll of 700 people that was designed to launch the largest ever experiment into what makes music memorable organised by Manchester Science Festival has come up with its ‘top ten catchy songs’.
At top spot is Kylie’s catchy robo disco hit ‘Can’t Get You Out Of My Head’ whilst the other top spots are perhaps predictably(given people’s short attention spans)are taken by more recent hits by Robin Thicke and Daft Punk. Elsewhere Swedish pop quartet Abba nab two slots and Sinead O’Connor, Alabama 3 and Aerosmith make it into a ten of varying quality. Due regard is given to the fact that irritating songs can be catchy too with the inclusion of The Tweets and their ‘hit’ The Birdie Song. The full top ten is below.
My suggestions might be the glorious ear worm that is the Beach Boys ‘Good Vibrations’ or Chic’s infectious floor filler ‘Good Times’ or how about Simon and Garfunkle’s ‘Mrs Robinson’? Catchy music is as subjective as musical taste but there’s no doubt that a memorable rhythm and melody can implant itself in your head for a long time, indeed you may just find yourself singing one of these in the shower tomorrow morning. But what for you is the most catchy song ever?
Speaking at the event computational musicologist John Ashley Burgoyne, who is working on the project, said: ‘Understanding catchy music is about much more than just a recipe for next week’s number one hit: It’s the key to understanding why musical memories last a lifetime.
‘Catchy music sticks in your head and lingers there.
‘When you hear catchy music again years or even decades later, all of a sudden the song comes back to and you find yourself singing along in your head.’
1. Kylie Minogue: Can’t Get You Out Of My Head
2. Robin Thicke: Blurred Lines
3. Daft Punk: Get Lucky
4. Abba: SOS
5. Sinead O’Connor: Nothing Compares 2 U
6. Tweets: The Birdie Song
7. Alabama 3: Woke Up This Morning
8. Aerosmith: Love Me Two Times
9. Adam Sutherland: The Road To Erogie
10. Abba: Dancing Queen
