Who is the top New Wave band according to Rankers latest poll?

New Wave is a music genre that emerged during the punk revolution of the mid-1970s. This genre often considered the lighter side of punk, is characterized by its eclectic mixture of glam, punk, and goth. New Wave would influence pop culture and music into the present day.

The era of New Wave originated in Britain and had the advantage of being some of the first bands featured on MTV when the station premiered in 1981. The genre has generated many long-lasting bands, like Duran Duran, The Cure, and Depeche Mode, to name only a few, but has also given birth to many one-hit wonders such as Soft Cell, The Buggles, and Modern English.

Dubbed "virtually meaningless" by the New Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock, New Wave was a bit of a catch-all for every type of music that came after punk. The Velvet Underground is known to be the pioneers of the genre, influencing many artists who came after them.

Ranker recently conducted a poll that invokes nostalgia for those who long for the days of MTV and 80s music. The site featured new wave bands in this poll which is voted on by its international readers. Who ranks as No. 1?

The Cure

The dark, moody, with a hint of whimsy music of The Cure has resonated with generations of teens, many of whom still listen to the band today. This band tops Ranker's charts as the best New Wave band. Lead singer Robert Smith, who categorizes the band's music as Cure music, is the only band member to remain with the group since its beginnings, with bassist Simon Gallup only missing out on three years. Smith's signature stage look has influenced many others and the band is said to have a great impact on the formation of the goth music genre.

With top songs like "Boys Don't Cry," "Lovesong," and "Friday I'm in Love," the band has stood the test of time. Recently, the band released the 30th anniversary of Paris, a live album recorded in 1992 at Le Zénith de Paris during the band's Wish tour. The Cure was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019 by Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor before performing five songs.

Ranker's list included many other notable bands to round out the top 10 of the New Wave poll.

• No. 2 - Depeche Mode
• No. 3 - New Order
• No. 4 - Tear for Fears
• No. 5 - Blondie
• No. 6 - Duran Duran
• No. 7 - Talking Heads
• No. 8 - The Police
• No. 9 - The Cars
• No. 10 - The Psychedelic Furs