Economy and Song Lyrics Move in Opposite Direction

The well-intentioned but irretrievably starry-eyed 1960s vision of music literally changing the world may not have played out exactly the way its champions envisioned at the time. But at a minimum, it can be said that popular music reflects the times from which it arises, even if its power to change direction of events may be limited.

As The Economist and The Atlantic report, blogger Eric Barker recently caught wind of a fascinating bit of research into decades worth of popular music lyrics. In a study published last fall in the Journal of Language and Social Psychology, researchers at Coastal Carolina University and Miami University (Ohio) found that as times get tough, "trends for more meaningful, comforting, and romantic lyric ratings were observed in more threatening social and economic times." The study utilized diction analysis software of popular song lyrics from 1955 to 2003, and found that an increased presence of a "focus on the future, and greater mention of social processes and intergroup themes" were characteristic of periods of social unrest and economic uncertainty.

According to the Billboard Hot 100 list, the songs that have spent the most time as listed hits include Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" and "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas. The romance and good times seem to fit the model the researchers found tying social and economic challenge to optimistic and heartfelt lyrics in songs of the day.

But fear not! Happier times may very well be right around the corner, at least for those who put stock in the research findings in applying them to songs that are currently moving up the charts most quickly. Among the Hot 100's fastest risers are Usher's decidedly not-safe-for-work "Lil Freak," and "Alice" by Avril Lavigne, who (in the song anyway) is "freaking out" in a "world crashing down." If the lyrical analysis is to be believed, this rapid popularity of some decidedly less warm and fuzzy fare may serve as harbinger of better days ahead.

Photo by flattop341 via Flickr.