Tequila!
Around the world, around the world…
…but Tequila! was the first one that came to my mind as well.
Before detailing how lyrics have become more basic, the study pointed out that US singer-songwriting legend Bob Dylan – who rose to fame in the 1960s – has won a Nobel prize in literature
After reading this article I must get stoned
Commercial pop dumb. Shocking.
Have you heard that new song FUCK? It goes fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck
So hot.
That’s the cover. I liked the original 2Live Crew version.
Wasn’t the original by the Fucky Wucky Boys?
reminds me of American Fiction
It doesn’t matter what I say, as long as I sing with inflection
Kind of points out the obvious, but at least it’s scientifically proven now.
Counterpoint: MF DOOM
A dead rapper who’s two most significant albums came out 20 years ago this year is not a counterpoint.
Counterpoint: he’s dead.
Too soon, man. Too soon
*Back where his brother went
Counterpoint: fuck this world
Counterpoint: that’s exactly what a supervillain would want you to think.
Mf doom has unbelievably layered lyrics, but a true counterpoint of lyrical complexity is Aesop Rock. Here’s a good article on how expansive his vocabulary is.
Also: Ren (still alive despite best efforts of man and beast)
This is that “How would you feel if you didn’t?” “But I did” meme
No u
Interesting read. Never thought about how the emotions of songs have changed. I wish they discussed more on how the different ways people listen to music affects the complexity of the song lyrics.
They briefly mention how most people listen to music as background noise and that the first 10-15 seconds are crucial to whether people listen to the song or skip it.
But there are also other factors I wished they mentioned like how easily accessible songs are (you don’t have to go out and buy a physical copy) or other types of audio competition (like audio books or podcasts). Since musicians have to try to appeal to as many people as possible to compete with so many other choices for people to listen to, the lyrics have gotten simpler and more repetitive/catchy.
But I guess it’s not so much an explanation of why lyrics have changed but proof that it has.
To be fair, it depends on the genre.
Reflective of society?
Oh yeah…
