A song is a musical vessel for the expression of the soul. It can be as evocative as a pod of dolphin bulls dancing to attract mates or as calming as the refined stringency of classical music. A song can be a work of art that is crafted by a songwriter and a musician or a folk tune that has been handed down over the generations.
A well-known song can achieve the status of a global phenomenon, causing an uproar among critics and generating billions in sales and royalties. In a rare few cases, songs become incredibly popular and remain at the top of one or more charts for an extended period. While science cannot account for the subjective tastes of individual listeners or generational divides, it turns out that song lyrics have actually become simpler and more repetitive over the years, according to a study published on Thursday in Scientific Reports.
The researchers examined the lyrics of 12,000 pop, rock, rap, and R&B songs released from 1980 to 2020. They found that the lyrics became shorter and more repetitive over time, reinforcing the opinions of cranky aging music fans everywhere. They also discovered that the words in popular songs were angrier and more self-obsessed.
Song lyrics are just one part of a song, though, and the melodies and grooves that come out of your speakers are also crucial components. To understand how this works, consider the typical song structure: an intro, verse, pre-chorus and chorus (many songs even have a bridge). Musicologists have studied what makes a song tick, but the answer remains elusive.