Science

Popular song lyrics express less emotion over time, analysis of 38K+ songs finds

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Briefings

A Michigan State University study analyzed 38,000+ songs and found that popular music has gradually reduced explicit expression of emotion and relationships over time, affecting both generations of artists and their careers.

Key points

• Analysis of 38,000+ songs revealed a gradual decline in explicit emotion expression across generations of artists.
• The study tracks changes within artists' careers, showing a shift from explicit to less explicit expression over time.

Context

This research examines how popular music has evolved over time, specifically regarding the explicitness of emotional expression in lyrics.

Limitations

The study covers only popular music and relies on song lyrics; specific artist names or dates are not provided.

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