– Pop lyrics have become simpler and more self-centred

Over 40 years, the lyrics in several music genres have become simpler, more repetitive, negative and self-centred, say researchers who have analyzed 12,000 songs.

The European researchers have looked at English-language texts in the fields of pop, rock, rap, country and R&B between 1980 and 2020. Their conclusion builds on opinions that are repeated by some grumpy well-grown music lovers.

Before going into the analysis in the study published on Thursday, the researchers point out that Bob Dylan, who really broke through in the 1960s, has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. Lead author Eva Zangerle, on the other hand, will not single out any single artist from recent times as an example of someone with simpler lyrics.

Major upheavals in the industry

Zangerle, who works at the University of Innsbruck in Austria and is an expert in recommendation systems, emphasizes that song lyrics can reflect society and show how a culture’s values, feelings and interests change over time.

– In the last 40 years, we have also seen a drastic change in the musical landscape, from how music is produced to how it is sold, she says.

During these years, vinyl records and cassettes from the 1980s were largely displaced by CDs in the following decade, until today, where the internet and algorithm-driven streaming services dominate.

– Easier to remember

Among other things, the researchers have looked at which emotions are expressed, how many different and complicated words are used and how often they are repeated.

– In all genres, the lyrics tended to become simpler and more repetitive, summarizes Zangerle. And songs with lots of choruses and simpler lyrics also seem to be more popular. Zangerle also points out that the first 10-15 seconds of a song have become important in deciding whether we just skip to the next one.

– The text sticks more easily today, because it is easier to remember, she says

– Rap has become angrier

The review also showed that there is more between the positive and cheerful lyrics, while there have been more songs that express anger, disgust and sadness.

– Rap has become angrier than the other genres, says Zangerle.

In addition, popular music has therefore become more self-absorbed, with more frequent occurrences of words such as “me” and “mitt”.