Best music decade?

[fred rosenberger]

Ok, here's something I've been wondering. What decade do you think had the best music? Personally, I find this to be a very hard one to decide.

00's
I don't like today's music, but that could be because I'm old. there are a few songs I like, but it's really hit or miss for me. And even if I find a song I like, often I find I DON'T like many of the other songs by the same artist.

90's
I can't remember much music from the 90's. Sure, there was a lot of grunge (and the Spice Girls!!! whohoo!!!), but nothing really sicks out to me.

80's
Ah the 80's. I graduated high school in '86, and really started listening to music during this time. I'd guess about 70% of my iPod music is from the 80's. This decade is ALWAYS high on my list.

70's
Some disco is not bad... there are a lot of arena rock bands from this time too.

60's
rock and roll really came of age here, but so did folk music.

50's
rock and roll was born. but many of the songs seem quaint or 'light'.

40's
this is about as far back as I can go. Big Bands were on their way out (if not already gone), but you got the early roots of rock-n-roll with folks like Louie Jordan and Wynonie Harris

That's my unreasearched history of music. Personally, I'm going to go with the 80's first, followed by the 40s. I liked the tail end of the 90's, since that's when the neo-swing movement was really happening, and I LOVED those days - going out dancing 4-5 nights a week, having my own rat-pack gang of friends... but the 80's are always going to be my favorite I think.

What era do you like?

[Joe Ess]

I liked the tail end of the 90's, since that's when the neo-swing movement was really happening, and I LOVED those days - going out dancing 4-5 nights a week, having my own rat-pack gang of friends...

Little did I know when I was a wee lad and my mom taught me how to jitterbug, it would pay off big dividends in college.
I'm going to stake my claim on the 90's. I'm a big fan of the hodgepodge of music wearing the "alternative" label, and that seemed to be the heyday.

[Paul Yule]

I'm a youngster so my opinion will probably be slightly different than the majority. I'm a big fan of the 90's with bands like eve 6, Incubus, and counting crows. I also like a lot of today's rock as well with a little more of an edge to it. Like Breaking Benjamin, Theory of a Dead Man, and Sum 41. The 70's- 80's had some great musicians though which I'll miss. I was never a real fan of the music over all but there was awe inspiring talent in songs like Skynard's Free Bird and Metallica's One.

[fred rosenberger]

i never thought of myself as 'old' until I read your post. I've never heard of any of these bands:

Breaking Benjamin, Theory of a Dead Man, and Sum 41.

I HAVE heard of Eve 6 and Incubus, but could not name a song of their to save my life.

Counting Crows I could come up with... two? songs of theirs... Mr. Jones and Round Here (i hope I'm right on that second one).

edit - that may be an important parameter... age. I am (currently) 40.

[Paul Yule]

Haha, you're not old. I think anyone with an open mind that enjoyed the 80's can find a couple songs that they enjoy with today's rock. Breaking Benjamin's Diary of Jane is basically the poster child for my taste in today's rock if you wanna give it a listen. If you aren't a fan I won't hold it against you.

Eve 6- Think Twice or Here's to the Night you might have heard. Incubus' with Pardon Me or Nice to Know You are well known although my personal favorite is newer Anna Molly

Yup, that's them.

I think age is an important parameter. So in 50 years my colleagues are going to be reminiscing about the good ole days with such hits as T-Pain's Make love in dis Club and Flo Rida.

[Frank Silbermann]

I agree with those who say the Gay 90s. My elementary school music teacher over forty years ago was real hot on songs from that era. Not only did you have the Romantic era in classical music, but you also have hits such as:

After the Ball
Hello, Ma Baby" (made famous by the Warner Brothers cartoon "One Froggy Night")
Sweet Rosie O'Grady
The Sidewalks of New York
No! No! A Thousand Times No! (made famous by Betty Boop)
The Band Played On
A Bird in a Gilded Cage
Bill Bailey, Won't You Please Come Home?
The Bird on Nellie's Hat
A Hot Time in the Old Town
In the Good Old Summer Time
Little Annie Rooney
Meet Me in St. Louis, Louis
My Wild Irish Rose
Rock-a-Bye Baby
Ta-Ra-Ra Boom-De-Ay!
Toyland
You're a Grand Old Flag
You're the Flower of My Heart, Seet Adeline (made famous in the "I Love Lucy" sketch)

Oh wait, I thought you meant the 1890s....

[Joe Ess]

Paul Yule wrote:
So in 50 years my colleagues are going to be reminiscing about the good ole days with such hits as T-Pain's Make love in dis Club and Flo Rida.

Just wait until you hear the muzak version of a song you remember from your heyday! That's the moment you officially become "old". I swear I've already heard a Nine Inch Nails tune gone easy-listening.

[Frank Silbermann]

Joe Ess wrote:Just wait until you hear the muzak version of a song you remember from your heyday! That's the moment you officially become "old". I swear I've already heard a Nine Inch Nails tune gone easy-listening.

Does it count if you hear Weird Al Yankovic do it polka-style?

[Joe Ess]

Frank Silbermann wrote: Does it count if you hear Weird Al Yankovic do it polka-style?

Weird Al tries to keep his parodies timely, so not at the time. The fact that Bad Hair Day is 12 years does.