Table of Contents
A new study says that song lyrics are becoming simpler and more repetitive.
Researchers from Europe looked at more than 12,000 songs in English. The songs were various genres like rap, pop, R&B, and rock, from 1980 to 2020.
The researchers say that lyrics have become angrier and more about oneself. The researchers think that song lyrics are a reflection of society.
The researchers looked at the emotions in lyrics, how difficult the words are, the variety of words and how often the words are repeated. They learned that lyrics in all genres have become simpler and more repetitive.
There are also less positive words and less joyful lyrics. There are more lyrics that show anger, sadness and disgust. Also, words like “me” and “mine” are used more now.
Songs with more choruses and repetitive lyrics are more popular because they are easier to remember. This might be because people usually listen to music while doing other things these days.
Vocabulary
- Study – the activity of examining/studying something in detail to discover new information; research; investigation
- Lyrics – The words of a song; The words you sing in a song
- Repetitive – doing the same thing over and over again
- Researcher – a person who does research; a person who studies something to find new results
- Various – different kinds; more than one; several
- Genre – a style, category or type of story, music or art
- Oneself – The person that is doing or being talked about; You, yourself
- Reflection – What you see when you look in a mirror; A reflection can show how something is
- Society – A group of people living together in a community; people considered as a group, or a group of people who live together in a particular social system
- Emotion – A feeling like happiness, sadness, anger, etc.;
- Variety – different kinds; different types, assortment
- Repeat – To do or say something again
- Joyful – Feeling very happy and full of fun
- Disgust – A strong feeling of not liking something; strong dislike
- Chorus – The part of a song that is repeated after each verse; parts of a song that are usually easy to remember
- These days – Now; currently; in the present
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Discussion Questions
- Why do you think song lyrics have become simpler and more repetitive?
- Do you agree that lyrics are a reflection of society? Why or why not?
- Should songwriters focus more on positive messages in their music? Why or why not?
- Why do you think words like “me” and “mine” are used more in songs now?
- English teachers looking for teaching ideas, check out my post on using easy news articles for lessons.
- English learners looking for study ideas, check out my post on using news stories for English practice.
Original Story
Fill-in-the-Blank Listening Practice
A new _____ says that song lyrics are becoming simpler and _____ repetitive.
Researchers from Europe _____ at more than 12,000 songs in English. The songs were various genres _____ rap, pop, R&B, and rock, from _____ to 2020.
The researchers say _____ lyrics have become angrier and more about oneself. The _____ think that song lyrics are a reflection of _____.
The researchers looked at _____ emotions in lyrics, how difficult the words are, the variety of _____ and how often the words are repeated. _____ learned that lyrics in all genres have become _____ and more repetitive.
There are also _____ positive words and less joyful lyrics. There are more lyrics that _____ anger, sadness and disgust. Also, _____ like “me” and “mine” are used more _____.
Songs with more _____ and repetitive lyrics are more popular because they are easier to _____. This might be because people usually _____ to music while doing other things these _____.
