Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is the most iconic song of all time, says new study

Science has decreed that Nirvana's “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is the “most iconic” song of all time, based on a special algorithm that measures key, BPM, chord variety, lyrical content, timbral variety, and sonic variance. What a time to be alive. [via SPIN]

Read more: Watch Nirvana play “Smells Like Teen Spirit” for the first time

“We found the most significant thing these songs have in common is that most of them use sound in a very varied, dynamic way when compared to other records,” says University of London computer scientist and musician Dr. Mick Grierson, who participated in the study. “This makes the sound of the record exciting, holding the listeners attention. By the same token, the sounds these songs use and the way they are combined is highly unique in each case.”

“Ultimately, there is no ‘formula’ for this, other than to make your song sound as different, diverse and exciting as possible,” Grieson adds.

John Lennon’s “Imagine,” U2’s “One,” Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” complete the top five. Take a look at the full list of 50 songs below, via Daily Mail. Keep in mind that the study took place in the UK, so certain choices may seem odd to the American reader. 

1. “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” Nirvana

2. “Imagine,” John Lennon

3. “One,” U2

4. “Billie Jean,” Michael Jackson

5. “Bohemian Rhapsody,” Queen

6. “Hey Jude,” The Beatles

7. “Like A Rolling Stone,” Bob Dylan

8. “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction,” Rolling Stones

9. “God Save The Queen,” Sex Pistols

10. “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” Guns N’ Roses

11. “London Calling,” The Clash

12. “Waterloo Sunset,” The Kinks

13. “Hotel California,” The Eagles

14. “Your Song,” Elton John

15. “Stairway To Heaven,” Led Zeppelin

16. “The Twist,” Chubby Checker

17. “Live Forever,” Oasis

18. “I Will Always Love You,” Whitney Houston

19. “Life On Mars?” David Bowie

20. “Heartbreak Hotel,” Elvis Presley

21. “Over The Rainbow,” Judy Garland

22. “What’s Goin’ On,” Marvin Gaye

23. “Born To Run,” Bruce Springsteen

24. “Be My Baby,” The Ronettes

25. “Creep,” Radiohead

26. “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Simon & Garfunkel 

27. “Respect,” Aretha Franklin

28. “Family Affair,” Sly And The Family Stone

29. “Dancing Queen,” ABBA

30. “Good Vibrations,” The Beach Boys

31. “Purple Haze,” Jimi Hendrix

32. “Yesterday,” The Beatles

33. “Jonny B Goode,” Chuck Berry

34. “No Woman No Cry,” Bob Marley

35. “Hallelujah,” Jeff Buckley

36. “Every Breath You Take,” The Police

37. “A Day In The Life,” The Beatles

38. “Stand By Me,” Ben E King

39. “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag,” James Brown

40. “Gimme Shelter,” The Rolling Stones

41. “What’d I Say,” Ray Charles

42. “Sultans Of Swing,” Dire Straits

43. “God Only Knows,” The Beach Boys

44. “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling,” The Righteous Brothers

45. “My Generation,” The Who

46. “Dancing In The Street,” Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

47. “When Doves Cry,” Prince

48. “A Change Is Gonna Come,” Sam Cooke

49. “River Deep Mountain High,” Ike and Tina Turner

50. “Best Of My Love,” The Emotions