Michigan State University study finds song lyrics becoming less emotional

A large-scale study published in the journal “Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity and the Arts” reveals that popular song lyrics have become less explicit regarding emotions and relationships over time. Researchers from Michigan State University analyzed 38,467 songs from 230 artists spanning from 1947 to 2024.

The findings indicate that lyrics have become less emotional and less focused on social connections. Within the careers of individual artists, the use of both positive and negative words has declined, alongside fewer references to family and friends. While language related to anxiety has increased, expressions of sadness have decreased.

Co-author Jan Brascamp noted that the study distinguishes between changes occurring within an individual artist's career and broader cultural or industry shifts. The research suggests that these lyrical evolutions may be heavily influenced by artistic, cultural, or industrial forces.