Newswire Science proves that people like horrible music

by Genevieve Koski May 20, 2008
Remember when that scientifically produced "Most Unwanted Song" surfaced a couple of months back? (You don't? Lucky you.) The sadists behind that abomination have used the same survey data from 500 respondents to produce the "Most Wanted Song" ("a musical work that will be unavoidably and uncontrollably 'liked' by 72 ± 12% of listeners"). Well, guess what? It's awful!

From the composer's website: "The most favored ensemble, determined from a rating by participants of their favorite instruments in combination, comprises a moderately sized group (three to ten instruments) consisting of guitar, piano, saxophone, bass, drums, violin, cello, synthesizer, with low male and female vocals singing in rock/r&b; style. The favorite lyrics narrate a love story, and the favorite listening circumstance is at home. The only feature in lyric subjects that occurs in both most wanted and unwanted categories is "intellectual stimulation.' Most participants desire music of moderate duration (approximately 5 minutes), moderate pitch range, moderate tempo, and moderate to loud volume…"

Wired is streaming the song here, should you be interested in the horrible, horrible music apparently favored by your fellow humans.

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