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At his recent Long Island concert, country singer Zach Bryan dedicated his popular song “Jake’s Piano” to NYPD officer Jonathan Diller and briefly addressed the tragic circumstances of his murder by a criminal with a lengthy criminal record. Several other country artists have also voiced concerns about the increasing crime rates in the nation.
Speaking of music, in a recent study from Scientific Reports that spans over four decades, song lyrics have shown a statistical trend toward increased anger and self-centeredness. According to the study, researchers analyzed the lyrics of 12,000 English-language songs released between 1980 and 2020.
The study analyzed songs from various genres, including rap, country, pop, R&B, and rock. The researchers observed a general trend of simplification in lyrics over the years. They examined the emotions conveyed in the lyrics, the complexity of the vocabulary used, and the frequency of word repetition. The findings supported earlier research that indicated a decrease in positive and joyful lyrics over time, alongside an increase in expressions of anger, disgust, or sadness. The study also noted that rap music, in particular, has become more characterized by anger compared to the other genres.
We want to ask you, the reader: what’s your favorite genre of music? Answer in our poll below, but if your particularly genre isn’t listed, specify your favorite in the comments section! Also comment what decade or era had the best released music in your opinion, and your thoughts on this recent study.
If you cannot see the poll, click here.
