Study of 12,000 songs from 1980 to 2020 shows a tendency towards anger and introspection in texts. The first 10 or 15 seconds are decisive for listening to or skipping a song.
Song lyrics can serve as a “mirror to society’ because they reflect changes in its values, emotions and concerns. The vinyl records and cassettes of the 1980s have given way to internet and mobile music platforms, which promote music based on algorithms. The work confirms previous research which found a decrease in positive or happy themes, and an increase in those expressing anger.