Politicians should tune into some tunes if they want to better understand young people. I'm not especially convinced it would help myself, but that is the conclusion of an MTV survey, timed to coincide with the party political conference season.
MTV UK MD David Lynn says this: "What is clear from this survey is the important role that music plays in the lives of young people, helping to define who they are and how they fit - or in some cases don't fit - into today's society. As the main political parties begin to meet in Bournemouth, Brighton and Blackpool over the next three weeks for their annual Conferences, young people are clearly telling them that music is the best ways to understand what they are thinking and feeling".
The MTV survey of 15-24 year olds actually covered various political issues. 59% said they thought the present government was doing a bad job, 56% agreed with the statement "I don't like politicians", and only 25% said they were loyal to anyone political party. But 45% said they were interested in UK politics, and 52% said they would protest about an issue they felt strongly about.
Next came the music bit, where those surveyed were asked to name the albums they thought politicians should listen to in order to get a "better understanding" of young people. It's a bit of a wacky question if you ask me, but here's the ten most frequently referenced albums...
1. Snow Patrol - Eyes Open
2. Green Day - American Idiot
3. The Killers - Hot Fuss
4. Justin Timberlake - Future Sex/Love Sounds
5. Lily Allen - Alright Still
6. Mika - Life In Cartoon Motion
7. My Chemical Romance - Black Parade
8. Amy Winehouse - Back To Black
9. Arctic Monkeys - Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not
10. Pink - I'm Not Dead