Increasing Repetitiveness Detected in Popular Song Lyrics
In an intriguing analysis published on The Pudding, Colin Morris delved into the world of pop music, suggesting that it is becoming more repetitive over time. Using compression analysis to measure lyrical repetition in pop songs, Morris examined a vast array of Billboard Hot 100 hits dating back six decades, from 1958 to 2017.
The study revealed that repetition in songwriting has been on the rise, with the average tune from 2014 compressing 22% more efficiently than one from 1960. This trend was observed across various pop artists, with some ranking higher for repetition than others.
Notably, pop artists like Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Madonna, One Direction, and Rihanna were identified as having particularly repetitive songs. Conversely, artists like Ray Charles, Connie Francis, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra were found to have lower levels of repetition in their music.
Interestingly, the world's first pop song created entirely using artificial intelligence is "Daddy's Car." However, this song was not part of Morris' analysis as it is not a Billboard Hot 100 hit. As such, its repetitiveness cannot be compared directly to the songs analysed in Morris' study.
Morris' visualized data can be searched by artist, decade, and genre, providing a comprehensive overview of the trends in lyrical repetition in pop music. For those interested in the specific artists identified in the study, it is recommended to check directly The Pudding's website or Colin Morris' published work related to repetitive lyrics in pop music.
It is worth noting that "Daddy's Car" is a pop song, but its creation might cause some Beatles fans to feel nauseous, given its artificial origin. Regardless, the study by Colin Morris on The Pudding offers valuable insights into the evolving nature of pop music and the increasing trend towards repetition in songwriting.
A computer-generated pop song named "Daddy's Car" was created without being included in Morris' analysis, as it is not a Billboard Hot 100 hit. The analysis of pop songs on The Pudding suggests an increase in music repetition, with artists like Beyonce, Michael Jackson, Madonna, One Direction, and Rihanna having particularly repetitive songs, while artists like Ray Charles, Connie Francis, Elvis Presley, and Frank Sinatra were found to have lower levels of repetition.
Furthermore, the rising trend of repetition in pop music can be explored with the help of entertainment platforms like The Pudding, which provide an analysis of repetition in lyrical content across various artists, decades, and genres.
