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The Groove

The greatest new wave artists of all time

121 artists ranked by the Groove — music.nw’s own measure of renown. Not an opinion, a fact computed from the record. Why?

No. 1

Talking Heads

United States of America flagUnited States of America · 1974–1991 · new wave
35.132
Why this number?
The full board
2 The Cure United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1977– · new wave 34.686
3 Blondie United States of America flagUnited States of America · 1974– · new wave 12.352
4 The Police United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1977–2008 · rock 10.079
5 Tears for Fears United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1981– · new wave 7.285
6 The Clash United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1976–1986 · punk rock 7.216
7 David Bowie United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1947–2016 · rock 6.741
8 Duran Duran United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1978– · new wave 6.724
9 Joy Division United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1978–1980 · post-punk 6.100
10 Thomas Dolby United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1958– · new wave 6.038
11 New Order United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1980– · electronic 6.023
12 Siouxsie and the Banshees United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1976–1996 · post-punk 5.870
13 Adam Ant United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1954– · new wave 5.309
14 Paramore United States of America flagUnited States of America · 2004– · alternative rock 5.040
15 The Killers United States of America flagUnited States of America · 2001– · alternative rock 4.663
16 Sparks United States of America flagUnited States of America · 1970– · synth-pop 4.533
17 Elvis Costello United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1954– · rock 4.270
18 Eurythmics United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1980–2005 · new wave 4.215
19 Rush Canada flagCanada · 1968– · progressive rock 4.051
20 Simple Minds United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1977– · new wave 3.947
21 a‐ha Norway flagNorway · 1983– · pop 3.913
22 Japan United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1974–1982 · new wave 3.861
23 The Cars United States of America flagUnited States of America · 1976–1988 · rock 3.808
24 The 1975 United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 2002– · pop rock 3.520