Celine Dion is America’s Favorite Singer/Musician Followed by U2

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--No matter the medium—8-track, cassette, CD or a download—everyone has that one artist or band whose albums they play over and over again. According to Americans, their “Hearts Will Go On” for Celine Dion, as she is the country’s favorite singer. “It’s a Beautiful Day” for U2, as they are number two on the Harris Poll list of favorite musicians. One eternal debate has been Elvis versus the Beatles or “Blue Suede Shoes” versus “Hey Jude”. Well, that remains un-answered here, as they are tied for number three on the list. Maybe “It’s the Cowboy in” him, but whatever the reason, Americans place Tim McGraw at number five on the list of favorite musicians.

These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,320 adults surveyed online between March 1 and 8, 2010 by Harris Interactive.

“The Bottom Line”

She just made a splash on the charts recently and already she has “Paparazzi” stalking her. Lady GaGa is also number six on the favorite musician list. The next two on the list are country stars. George Strait is “Living and Living Well” at number seven while “These Days” Rascal Flatts can be found at number eight. “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere,” so Alan Jackson can toast his tie for the ninth spot on the list. Rounding out the list, also tied for ninth, is the Chairman of the Board, Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra who always did it “His Way”.

“Who Can It Be Now?”

When it comes to favorite artists, it’s definitely a case of “different strokes for different folks.” Celine Dion is tops for women while U2 is number one for men. And, even among women, there is a difference of opinion, as Rascal Flatts is number one for single women and Celine Dion for women who are married.

Americans need to “Come Together” not just with their votes, but also their favorite artists. Among both Republicans and among Conservatives, U2 is the favorite. Among Democrats Celine Dion is number one and for Independents it is The Beatles. However there is a flip, as among Liberals, the number one is The Beatles and for Moderates, it is Celine Dion.

Depending on where people live, they will likely have a different favorite artist. Among Easterners as well as Southerners, Celine Dion is number one. Tim McGraw is tops for those in the Midwest, and for Westerners, U2 is their favorite.

As one might expect, generation and a different taste in music go hand in hand. For Echo Boomers (those 18-33), Rascal Flatts is their favorite while for Gen Xers (those 34-45) it is U2. Baby Boomers (those 46-64) say The Beatles are their number one while for Matures (those aged 65+) it is Celine Dion.

TABLE 1 FAVORITE SINGER/MUSICIAN OR BAND “Who is your favorite singer/musician?” Unprompted responses
Base: All adults
					2010
	Celine Dion				1
	U2				2
	Elvis Presley				=3
	Beatles				=3
	Tim McGraw				5
	Lady Gaga				6
	George Strait				7
	Rascal Flatts				8
	Alan Jackson				=9
	Frank Sinatra				=9

“=” prior to a number indicates a tie

TABLE 2 FAVORITE SINGER/MUSICIAN OR BAND – AMONG VARIOUS DEMOGRAPHICS
Base: All adults
	Group				Favorite Singer/Musician or Band
	Gender
	Men				U2
	Women				Celine Dion
	Marital Status of Women
	Single Women				Rascal Flatts
	Married Women				Celine Dion
	Political Party Identification
	Republican				U2
	Democrat				Celine Dion
	Independent				Beatles
	Political Ideology
	Conservative				U2
	Moderate				Celine Dion
	Liberal				Beatles
	Generation
	Echo Boomers (18-33)				Rascal Flatts
	Gen X (34-45)				U2
	Baby Boomers (46-64)				Beatles
	Matures (65+)				Celine Dion
	Region
	East				Celine Dion
	Midwest				Tim McGraw
	South				Celine Dion
	West				U2
	Household Income
	$34.9K or less				Beatles
	$35K—$49.9K				Celine Dion
	$50K—$74.9K				Celine Dion
	$75K+				U2

Methodology

This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between March 1 and 8, 2010 among 2,320 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words “margin of error” as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.

The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of Harris Interactive.

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The Harris Poll^® #60, April 29, 2010

By Regina Corso, Director, The Harris Poll, Harris Interactive

About Harris Interactive

Harris Interactive is one of the world’s leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American, European, and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what’s next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

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