The Evolution of Music Lyrics: A Study on Simplification and Repetition in the Streaming Era

Over the past four decades, there has been a dramatic shift in the music landscape, influenced by factors such as the internet and streaming. A study published on Thursday revealed that song lyrics have become simpler and more repetitive, with a decrease in positive and happy content. Researchers analyzed over 12,000 songs in English from various genres from 1990 to 2020, including rap, country, pop, R&B, and rock.

The study highlights how lyrics can serve as a reflection of society, showing how values, emotions, and concerns evolve over time. Lead author Eva Zangerle emphasized that there has been a significant change in the music industry over the last 40 years due to these external factors.

The research looked at several aspects of song lyrics across genres. It found that lyrics were simpler and more repetitive across all genres, with rap music becoming more angry and repetitive compared to other genres. In the streaming era, songs need to engage listeners within the first 10-15 seconds or be 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.

In conclusion, this study reveals that song lyrics are not just about entertainment but also reflect societal changes over time. As technology continues to shape our culture and influence our musical tastes, we can expect future studies to reveal even more interesting insights into how our favorite tunes reflect our changing world.