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Over the past four decades, there has been a significant shift in the complexity and repetition of song lyrics. A new study published in Scientific Reports has revealed this change, highlighting how lyrics serve as a reflection of society and its values, emotions, and concerns.
Researchers analyzed over 12,000 English songs from various genres from 1990 to 2020. These included rap, country, pop, R&B, and rock. Lead author Eva Zangerle emphasized that there has been a dramatic change in the music landscape over the last 40 years due to factors such as the internet and streaming.
The study found that across all genres, lyrics have become simpler and more repetitive. The content of songs has also become more angry and self-centered compared to previous decades. In particular, rap music has become more aggressive and repetitive than other genres.
In today’s streaming era, songs need to engage listeners within the first 10-15 seconds to avoid being skipped. This has led to an increase in songs with more repetitive choruses and basic lyrics that are easier to memorize. Overall, there has been a shift towards simpler and more repetitive lyrics in music over the past four decades.
This study highlights how changing societal values can impact music production and consumption. As technology continues to shape our culture and society, it will be interesting to see how this reflects on future music trends.