Particle.news
Download on the App Store
10 ARTICLES
·
last yr.

Study Reveals Modern Song Lyrics Simpler, More Repetitive, and Angrier

Analysis of over 12,000 songs from the past 40 years shows a shift towards simpler lyrics and increased emotional content, influenced by streaming platforms.

Overview

  • A comprehensive study analyzing over 12,000 English-language songs from 1980 to 2020 found that modern song lyrics have become simpler, more repetitive, and angrier.
  • The study, spanning genres like rap, country, pop, R&B, and rock, also observed a trend towards more personal and emotional lyrics.
  • Rap music showed the most significant increase in anger and negative emotions, while country music had the lowest rise in these emotions.
  • The shift in music consumption patterns, from physical purchases to streaming platforms, has influenced the simplification and increased repetitiveness of lyrics.
  • Older rock songs are more viewed on the lyric platform Genius, indicating a preference for their lyrics, while newer country songs are more popular than older ones in the genre.