Music is getting worse with time - scientists can prove it now

9/24/2018

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Culture Story: Music is getting worse with time - scientists can prove it now

What's better, old music or new music? Many people like old songs better than anything else, and, as it turns out, science can now explain that.

A group of scholars from the Spanish National Research Council examined different aspects of pop music and the way they have changed since 1955. The results are surprising!

Timbre

Culture Story: Music became more repetitive — shutterstock

In music, timbre accounts for the sound color, texture and tone quality. Since 1955, timbral variety in songs went down. This proves that music has become simpler, and more and more songs sound the same today.

Pitch

Culture Story: Modern musicians use less chords and tonal arrangements — shutterstock

Music has become melodically less complex.

Loudness

Culture Story: Music became much louder — shutterstock

Why is this actually bad? the thing is that when the whole composition is loud, nothing within the song stands out. Punchy moments don't sound powerful enough anymore.

Lyrics

Culture Story: Music contain more words associated with anger — shutterstock

Moreover, modern musicians use the first-person word "I" quite rarely today, which decreases the level of sincerity in music. There has also been a decline in words that emphasize community and society. Over the years, lyrics have become more repetitive, just like the melodies.

Anyway, any period in history has its greatest hits, and all of them are loved by different people. You can watch this film to see how music has changed over the years:

What do you think about these facts? Do you like old or new music better? What's your favorite period of music?

We are waiting for your comments!

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#Culture #music

What are your thoughts on this subject?

82 Comments

wbharshberger

The older music is much better. That music touched the heart and affected you emotionally. The words had a message with meaning. I can barely hear the lyrics of today's music. And when I see the lyrics in written form, they are repetitious and have little meaning. That's not true for all music written within the past couple of decades, but most of it.

Catherine Tayles

Old music is the best..60's, 70's especially!!!!

Nickey Welsh

Yes older music is much much better.

Eve

Music is like people...there is good and bad regardless of what you are listening to...my preference is 60s rock, country or folk...I just find it easier to sing along.

wyodinosaur

Generally, I think this article is true. But there are many exceptions.

Linda Wardle

wbharshberger, I totally agree with everything you say.

dmarkc

Today's "artists" want to be heard, but many aren't good musicians, so their output is sub-standard, loud and electronically enhanced Bieber says he uses autotune to hit the precise notes. Maybe cause he doesn't sing that well on his own. Some of the best rap is re-purposed old hits. They're what works.

dmarkc

Julie Domaille, I think the aspects of music theory, what makes music full and smart are disappearing. The intricacies are few and limited. Like a song with nothing but chords and no Iindividual notes. Don't need a scientist to notice the demise. The biggest songs come from musicians, not apps.

Joseph Faiers

By and large I’m inclined to say that’s true, however in amongst all the trash music one can still find real artists with real songs.

Julie Domaille

I don't think it can be right to say music is more repetitive since 1955. Shoo wap de wap songs are very repetitive and there were alot of girl meets boy themes. But I like lyrics to be like modern day poetry so 'who let the dogs out' doesn't qualify as warming the soul lol

carole winslow

I like many different genres of music. Lyrics have always been near the top of my list for selecting my favorites. One of my greatest dislikes in current music is the emphasis on enhancing the voices with electronics. I prefer artists who have great voices and don't need to be enhanced artificially.

Emma Butler

I like the old better however all of the new isnt bad there are some new artist that are good🍧😎

Dolly Shaway Kalil

I like the older music. Today you here more loud music, and can hardly here the lyrics!! I do like some of today's music, but not much! To much yelling!!!

Dan Roads

Music has the unique power of providing a means to relive a time and place of the listeners past. I enjoy songs from years ago to enjoy little bursts of memory for good times or even not so good but all bring a peacefulness that few things in life provide. Listening to new music can create a like or dislike opinion but rarely causes you to just smile and “mellow” out like music from the past can do.

ninakamwene

WOW! Can we all let others' keep their choices of music! I personally love classical music. The less the verbage the better, just melody for MOI. Thanks.

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Music is getting worse with time - scientists can prove it now

Timbre

Pitch

Loudness

Lyrics

Anyway, any period in history has its greatest hits, and all of them are loved by different people. You can watch this film to see how music has changed over the years:

We are waiting for your comments!

People also liked

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7 images that depict life from a different point of view 8/11/2021 by brian l

7 mind-blowing futuristic sculpture projects 6/13/2021 by Della Moon

10 magnificent architectural edifices that got lost as the modern world developed 7/6/2021 by brian l

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5 Latin phrases people think they understand 6/17/2021
by brian l

6 amazing countries where you can live better for cheaper 7/25/2021
by Della Moon

7 images that depict life from a different point of view 8/11/2021
by brian l

7 mind-blowing futuristic sculpture projects 6/13/2021
by Della Moon

10 magnificent architectural edifices that got lost as the modern world developed 7/6/2021
by brian l