Americans Think The 1970s & 1980s Were The Best Generations For Music

There’s no doubt people have different tastes when it comes to music, and most will tend to think their generation had it the best. But a new poll has now revealed most people’s feelings on the generation that had the best music.

A new YouGov poll of more than 17,000 Americans finds:

• Most people believe the 1970s and the 1980s were the best decades for music.
• Overall, 22% of people chose the 1980s as the best decade for music, while 21% chose the 1970s.
• As for the remaining decades:
  • 14% chose the 1960s
  • 14% prefer the 1990s
  • 6% love the 2000s
  • 6% like the 1950s or earlier
  • Only 3% think the 2010s are the best

Of course, musical preference does depend on age.

• Millennials are most likely to say the 1990s had the best music (23%), while Gen X prefer the 1980s (38%).
• Baby Boomers are more likely to say the 1970s was the best decade for music (38%), while the Silent Generation prefer music made in the 1950s (39%).

And the type of music people listen to also plays a role in their favorite musical decade.

• Rock fans are most likely to say the 1980s and 1970s were the best decades for music (26%), while pop fans chose the 1980s (26%) and R&B fans prefer the 1970s (22%) and the 1980s (21%).
• Meanwhile hip-hop fans are the ones most likely to say the 1990s are the best (26%), while country fans prefer the 1980s (23%).
• Interestingly, regardless of the musical genre people enjoy, no more than 6% felt the 2010s were the best decade for music, while no more than 3% felt the 2020s are the best.

Source: YouGov