New research from Music Choice

over half of us can't remember the words to the biggest songs of all time

November 7, 2009, 12:15 PM

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Tragedy! When the lyric's gone.
Remembering song lyrics proves difficult to over half

We all like to sing along to those floor-filling classics you never forget - Michael Jackson's Thriller, Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody and ABBA's Super Trouper - but if you thought you were singing the correct words, you may well be mistaken, as new research from digital music broadcaster Music Choice reveals that only 41 per cent of people could accurately recall the lyrics to the hits of the global best-selling artists of all time.

Music Choice, which has been Europe's leading digital music broadcaster since 1993, conducts a European-wide survey each year at Music Census 2009 to discover what listeners love, hate and crave from their programming. A preliminary survey before the big census kicks off on 4th November 2009 has revealed findings that most music-lovers would find rather embarrassing.

Almost 9 out of 10 Germans (85 per cent) knew all the words to Elton John's tribute to the late Princess Diana, Candle in the Wind, compared to a meagre 34 per cent of Brits. The Swedes should be similarly red-faced as it is revealed that of all the European countries polled, they knew the fewest words to ABBA songs, being beaten off by Germany, Belgium and Holland.

Other findings include the revelation that The Beatles' lyrics are more memorable than Elvis' and Michael Jackson's, with the surprising statistic that only 23 per cent of people were able to recall the opening line to the chorus of Thriller.

Women proved almost twice as capable as men at remembering Michael Jackson lyrics and unsurprisingly beat them at a ratio of 20:1 when it came to knowing the words to the most popular ABBA songs.

Michael Jackson's misquoted line of 'Shamaon' (the real lyric is 'Come on') in the 1987 hit Bad was voted the best misquoted lyric of all time by 39 per cent of men, whereas 53 per cent of women disagreed and opted for the line 'it doesn't make a difference if we're naked or not'* as their favourite from Bon Jovi's Livin' on a Prayer.

Each year, Music Choice polls thousands of music fans in order to better program its many non-stop digital music channels like Freedom, Classic Rock, Reggae, Chillout, Total Hits, Classical Greats, Hip Hop, Revival, Schlager, Cool Jazz and the Greatest Rock Anthems, totally free of interruptions by adverts, DJ's or presenters. As well as voicing your views and opinions on artists from Abba to Zappa through a fun quiz, you can ensure that you have a say in the music you're listening to.
Ellen Lesemann-Andreadis, Marketing Manager for Music Choice summarises: "The Music Choice survey delves into the emotional connection that people have with music. We go beyond short-term popularity stakes that are all too clear from chart positions and sales, and instead we investigate the relationship that consumers have with music."

Kevin Spector, Head of Music & Programming at Music Choice continues: "The significance of this survey is that it will provide the music industry with the most authoritative picture of the way consumers are feeling."

So, if you're a music lover, artist or listener, tired of listening to the same old programming or simply want more of a say in what the digital music industry sends your way, get ready to welcome the Music Choice 2009 survey when it goes live online on 4th November.

Whatever music you love or hate, Music Choice wants to know about it. Visit Music Census 2009 to get involved and have your voice heard.

Music Choice has announced the following findings:
. 85 per cent of Germans knew the words to Elton John's "Diana's Song" compared to 34 per cent of Brits . 70 per cent of Germans, 67 per cent of French, 57 per cent of Dutch, 54per cent of Belgians and 49per cent of Swedes polled knew the words to Abba's Super Trouper . 89 per cent of people could complete Beatles lyrics to "Hard Day's Night" compared to 23 per cent remembering Elvis's "Blue Suede Shoes" and Michael Jackson's "Thriller"
. 22 per cent of women remembered Queen lyrics to Bohemian Rhapsody compared to 11per cent of men . 80 per cent of women remembered Abba Lyrics to Super Trouper compared to 4 per cent of men . Of the 23 per cent who remembered Michael Jackson's Thriller lyrics, 60 per cent were female compared to 40 per cent male . *real lyric 'make it or not'
. 4,136 people were surveyed across Europe

About Music Choice Ltd
Music Choice Ltd. is a leading legal digital music service provider, available to more than 40 million consumers in 18 countries. Music Choice provides consumers and platforms with expertly programmed digital music services, including non-stop compilation channels via digital TV, all free of interruptions from adverts and DJs presenters, to easy-to-use broadband music streams as well as linear music video channels and ad-funded music video on demand.

The survey is available in 12 languages and is open to consumers across Europe including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
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