A new YouGov poll of more than 17,000 Americans finds the generation that had the best music:
- Most people believe that the 1980s was the best decade 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%).
- 23% of Country Fans say the 1980's were best. 21% say the 70's. 17% say the 60's, 13% say the 90's. Only 7% say anything after 2000 with most (4%) going for 2000's, 2% going for 2010's, and 1% with the 2 years of 2020's.
- Meanwhile hip-hop fans are the ones most likely to say the 1990s are the best (26%)
- 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.