Scientists Created This Week’s Theme Thursday

This week's Retro Lunch Theme Thursday is based on a year-long study by scientists in the UK. They used the top 40 selling tracks of each decade since the 1940's.  Played those song hooks for 12,000 people.  The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester, UK then created the Top 20 "catchiest songs" from their results.  The results are based on how quickly people recognized each song.  For example, the 12,000 participants recognized "Baby One More Time" by Britney Spears in an average of just 2.99 seconds.

I'll be honest.  I do feel this list would be slightly different if the study was done in the US.  But it's interesting none the less.

This week's Theme Thursday is based on the catchiest songs of all time.  The list is below.  What songs do think the list is missing?

1. Spice Girls - Wannabe: 2.29 seconds
2. Lou Bega - Mambo No 5: 2.48 seconds
3. Survivor - Eye of the Tiger: 2.62 seconds
4. Lady Gaga - Just Dance: 2.66 seconds
5. ABBA - SOS: 2.73 seconds
6. Roy Orbison - Pretty Woman: 2.73 seconds
7. Michael Jackson - Beat It: 2.80 seconds
8. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You: 2.83 seconds
9. The Human League - Don't You Want Me: 2.83 seconds
10. Aerosmith - I Don't Want to Miss a Thing: 2.84 seconds
11. Lady Gaga - Poker Face: 2.88 seconds
12. Hanson - MMMbop: 2.89 seconds
13. Elvis Presley - It's Now Or Never: 2.91 seconds
14. Bachman-Turner Overdrive - You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet: 2.94 seconds
15. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean: 2.97 seconds
16. Culture Club - Karma Chameleon: 2.99 seconds
17. Britney Spears - Baby One More Time: 2.99 seconds
18. Elvis Presley - Devil in Disguise: 3.01 seconds
19. Boney M - Rivers of Babylon: 3.03 seconds
20. Elton John - Candle in the Wind: 3.04 seconds