An online experiment has revealed that the Spice Girls’ debut hit, Wannabe, is the catchiest UK hit single of all time.

Apparently participants in this fairly pointless exercise recognised the song in 2.3 seconds, compared with an average of five seconds for other popular hits.

Researchers developed the interactive game, called Hooked on Music, as part of a scientific study to unlock the secrets of what makes music memorable. People who played the game were asked if they recognised a song, which was randomly selected from more than 1,000 clips of best-selling songs, dating from the 1940s until the present day.

The Spice Girls’ debut single, which spent seven weeks at number one during 1996, was the most quickly recognised song by participants, taking an average of 2.29 seconds. Lou Bega’s Mambo No 5 was No 2 ( at the risk of getting confusing ), recognised in an average of 2.48 seconds. Survivor’s Eye of the Tiger came in at No3, with an average recognition time of 2.62 seconds. So for anyone that is vaguely interested, here is the UK’s Top 10 Catchiest Songs –

The UK’s Top 10 Catchiest Songs

 
1. Spice Girls – Wannabe

2. Lou Bega – Mambo No 5

3. Survivor – Eye Of The Tiger

4. Lady Gaga – Just Dance

5. ABBA – SOS

6. Roy Orbison – Pretty Woman

7. Michael Jackson – Beat It

8. Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You

9. The Human League – Don’t You Want Me

10. Aerosmith – I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing

(Source: Hooked on Music experiment/Mosi)

You can buy a favourite song as a framed vinyl single or framed CD with an engraved plaque, as a unique personalised gift…… ORDER HERE……..www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Framed vinyl records, framed CDs, framed DVDs & framed book covers with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!  ORDER HERE……..www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/