Isn't It Iconic?

This episode explores the methodology and results of a study that aimed to identify the most iconic song ever written. Dr. Mick Grierson's research used a combination of song popularity data and computer analysis of musical elements to determine "iconicity," defined as a balance between widespread recognition and distinctive musical features. Against this backdrop, the podcast host challenges Grierson's conclusion that Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is the most iconic, arguing that the song lacks the harmonic and structural complexity found in other contenders like Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" and Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody." More significantly, a detailed musical analysis of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" reveals limitations in the study's methodology, particularly the computer's inability to distinguish between significant and incidental musical variations. For instance, the host points out that while the computer registers numerous instances of "tonic dissonance," many are insignificant passing tones. Ultimately, the podcast uses this case study to highlight the complexities of defining and measuring musical iconicity, suggesting that purely quantitative approaches may overlook crucial qualitative aspects of musical impact. What this means for future studies is a need for more nuanced methodologies that incorporate both objective data and subjective listener experiences.