Well, it might be something of a no-brainer, but academics at Columbia University say they have confirmed it: people are more likely to like a song if they think that other people like it.
The study examined the behaviour of 14,000 people, who were asked to visit a site featuring 48 songs by unknown artists, rate them and decide whether or not they'd like to download them. The academics found that the prevalent group opinion would affect individual's preferences - with participants giving higher ratings to tracks which others had already said they would download.
The subjects were divided into eight groups, and were only able to see the choices of the other members of their groups. Researchers found that it was not the same songs that made it to the top of every group's chart, in fact, a song that topped one group's chart was only at number 40 out of 48 in another group's chart.
Sociologist Matthew Salganik, said the findings dispel the notion that "music executives can create stars at will", adding: "It also suggests that even if an act creates high quality music, you might not be successful." Which is depressing. But, as we all know, very true.