United Kingdom “top 5” pop music lyrics

North, Adrian C., Krause, Amanda, Kane, Robert, and Sheridan, Lorraine (2018) United Kingdom “top 5” pop music lyrics. Psychology of Music, 46 (5). pp. 638-661.

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DOI: 10.1177/0305735617720161

View at Publisher Website: https://doi.org/10.1177/0305735617720161

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Abstract

The present research conducted a computerised analysis of the content of all lyrics from the United Kingdom’s weekly top 5 singles sales charts (Study 1, 1962-2011), and considered their macroeconomic correlates (Study 2, 1960-2011). Study 1 showed that coverage of interpersonal relationships consistently reflected a self-centred and unsophisticated approach; coverage of violence featured predominantly anti-authoritarian denial rather than overt depictions; and more recent lyrics were more stimulating. Study 2 showed no evidence that variations in lyrical optimism predicted future variations in economic optimism and subsequently GDP; but, consistent with the environmental security hypothesis, economic turbulence (defined as volatility in the closing price of the London Stock Exchange) was associated with the later popularity of lyrics concerning certainty and succour. These findings are discussed in terms of the advantages and limitations of computerised coding of lyrics.


Item ID:	62738
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1741-3087
Keywords:	music, lyrics, relationships, violence, optimism, certainty, economy; pop music
Copyright Information:	© The Author(s) 2017. In accordance with the publisher's policies, the Author Accepted Manuscript version of this article is available Open Access from ResearchOnline@JCU.
Date Deposited:	30 Jul 2020 04:34
FoR Codes:	52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5205 Social and personality psychology > 520505 Social psychology @ 70% 36 CREATIVE ARTS AND WRITING > 3603 Music > 360302 Music composition and improvisation @ 30%
SEO Codes:	95 CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING > 9501 Arts and Leisure > 950101 Music @ 30% 97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970117 Expanding Knowledge in Psychology and Cognitive Sciences @ 70%
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