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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
25 Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1977– · electronic 3.254
26 Adam and the Ants United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1977–1982 · new wave 3.170
27 INXS Australia flagAustralia · 1977–2012 · rock 3.116
28 Depeche Mode United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1980– · electronic 2.998
29 DEVO United States of America flagUnited States of America · 1972– · new wave 2.866
30 Franz Ferdinand United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 2001– · indie rock 2.730
31 Echo & the Bunnymen United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1978– · rock 2.725
32 Gary Numan United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1958– · new wave 2.663
33 Alice Cooper United States of America flagUnited States of America · 1948– · hard rock 2.629
34 Pretenders United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1978– · new wave 2.490
35 The The United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1979– · new wave 2.421
36 King Crimson United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1968–2021 · progressive rock 2.335
37 Prince United States of America flagUnited States of America · 1958–2016 · funk 2.315
38 Tubeway Army United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1977–1979 · new wave 2.291
39 The Chameleons United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1981–2003 · post-punk 2.130
40 The Birthday Party United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1980–1983 · post-punk 2.100
41 Nina Hagen Band Germany flagGermany · 1977–1979 · punk 2.000
42 ’Til Tuesday United States of America flagUnited States of America · 1982–1989 · new wave 2.000
43 Television United States of America flagUnited States of America · 1973–2023 · rock 1.980
44 Кино 1981–1990 · new wave 1.937
45 Cyndi Lauper United States of America flagUnited States of America · 1953– · new wave 1.933
46 Yazoo United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1982–1983 · new wave 1.925
47 Elvis Costello & The Attractions United Kingdom flagUnited Kingdom · 1977–1996 · rock 1.918
48 Metric Canada flagCanada · 1998– · indie rock 1.900