Catchiest song of all time? A Spice Girls tune, say British scientists (+video)

CSM ^ | 11/3/2014 | Lisa Suhay

[SeekAndFind]

Scientists say if you wanna be the pop star with the catchiest song of all time, “what you want, what you really really want,” to have is a word "hook" that latches onto a listener’s mind super fast.

In the case of The Spice Girls’ hit "Wannabe," the study of 12,000 people found it takes just 2.29 seconds to recognize the song when it begins at the chorus "if you wanna be my lover…"

Anyone seeking something man-made and sold to the general public which operates at that kind of speed may have to leave the world of song and hit the race track in search of an Ariel Atom – which moves just a hair slower than a Spice Girl tune. The Atom is the fastest accelerating street legal road car on the planet thanks to its ability to go from zero to sixty miles per hour in just 2.3 seconds, according to 10 Most Today website.

Manchester's Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) published the results of a year-long study of what makes a song stick in your head – the Spice Girls’ “Wannabe” came in at No. 1.

Researchers used the ‘Hooked on Music’ test, which is online for continued use by the general public.

The MOSI site offers two versions of the test. It asks listeners to try to name a song randomly selected from over 1,000 best-selling tunes when it began playing from the hook – or to take a time trial to see how fast you can recognize the song from the hook.

[posterchild]

I tried to stop myself. I really did. It was just such a ripe opportunity.

[Baynative]

I guess that’s why they’re classic ;-]

[Fresh Wind]

Don’t let the haters get you down, that is my favorite song of all time.

Really.

[driftless2]

"small world"

Ha, ha....came back from Florida and Disney World last month. My stepdaughter thought my wife and I would enjoy that ride. When the ride was over, I wanted to find some kerosene and burn the whole thing down. Incredibly annoying melody and most boring ride at Disney World.

[cyclotic]

I was at a kids museum and they had a huge keyboard on the floor. It took a while but I managed to play the first bit of Ode to Joy by jumping from key to key. Besides the radio and part of Chicago’s Color my World, that’s all I know how to play.

[minnesota_bound]

Ohio Express - Yummy Yummy Yummy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRtME-3rcP4

The Archies - Sugar, Sugar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9nE2spOw_o

[Secret Agent Man]

and wipeout, surfin bird, jump, devil inside, every breath you take, rock me amadeus, couldn’t be figured out in a couple seconds?

[GeronL]

and I bet people recognized it?

[A Navy Vet]

The Stones have many songs recognized by just 2 or 3 notes. They even have one that is easily recognized in the first 3 drum beats without any other instruments - Honky Tonk Woman.

[dr_lew]

Dragnet! What about Peter Gunn? It’s 8 notes, but it’s got you by the first 4. When I was a kid everyone not only knew it, they could play it on the piano, like chop sticks.

[mad_as_he$$]

Dang just got it out my head from 1989. Thanks!

[mad_as_he$$]

You are a GREAT parent!

[mad_as_he$$]

My current drive songs in order:
WARNING adult words.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09LTT0xwdfw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_VsvZmIWxY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyA1GL1touw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRQnJyP77tY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs-XZ_dN4Hc

None from the OP list.

I have a short commute.

[dr_lew]

On the other hand I can recognize most 60s songs in a second or two...

Yeah ... 96 Tears ... Seared in my brain forever!

[BeadCounter]

Who wears short shorts!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2OOTr04YTwE

[MayflowerMadam]

It doesn’t happen. I don’t listen to stations that play that type of music. My radio’s either on talk radio or gospel quartet.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

They asked for it;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIyixC9NsLI

[A Navy Vet]

INXS "Devil Inside" is about a full bar before recognized by the average rock afficiado.

Sorry guys, but the Stones have the most 1 or 2 or 3 note recognizable songs in all of rock. Even "Satisfaction" was a 2 note intro (E and A) that every one knows.

Speaking of intros to rock music. Here is the all time arguably best musical intro to a song. This song has been used in numerous Scorsese movies and countless others. Scorsese used it in the classics of Goodfellows, Casino, and The Departed. Many other directors have uses this intro to set the mood for a particular scene and is probably THE most used rock intro of all time. Can you guess? No, It wasn't the Beatles.

So you don't have to Google, it was the Rolling Stones, "Gimme Shelter". The intro to that song is undeniably the most haunting and eerie intro that Rock & Roll has ever produced. While Pink Floyd had there moments, they just didn't rock like the Stones on "Gimme Shelter". It's my favorite Stones song.

Interestingly, the drummer Charlie Watts just did pounda pounda pounda pound rather than drum rolls. Bill Wyman followed Charlies lead for the rhythm section to keep things simple. Mick Taylor and Keith Richards did a complex battling solo that has inspired so many guitar bands later.

[A Navy Vet]

"When I hear it I get warm fuzzies and some hope for America."

I don't get fuzzies, but love the groove. It's about America paving over everything in site. Still, I one of the few who can ignore the message and appreciate the music.

[A Navy Vet]

"Elton John - Candle in the Wind - 3.04 s (0:39) Are they kidding? Crocodile Rock is 100x as catchy, and Benny and the Jets has a single piano chord at the very beginning which is almost a hook in and of itself."

Agreed. Crodile Rock was very catchy.