The oldest documented song with lyrics is a 14th-century B.C. hymn inscribed on a cuneiform tablet that was found near Latakia, Syria. Historians uncovered the title, “Hurrian Hymn No. 6”. The clay tablet is considered the world’s first written melody, written as an ode to the Goddess Nikkal. For centuries, lyrics have held spiritual significance, but how have they evolved? Billboard hits in 2024 aren’t exactly written to praise many deities. Have you ever wondered about the majority of messages in today’s music? Come along as we discuss the lyrical themes dominating the charts.
A Lyrical Link to the Past
Music helped people express their feelings through song for centuries. The further back you go, the more spirituality is present in the lyrics. Ancient songwriters wrote music to praise gods like Apollo and Athena. They also told the stories of the heroes of their lands through a type of songlike poetry called epics. Lyrics of love, grief, and hopefulness were also prevalent in ancient music. There were even ancient songs written to mark certain rites of passage or to celebrate life, just as we do now with birthdays.
Many of these themes have stuck around as music and lyrics have evolved. In the 1920s, the United States witnessed the emergence of Blues, Gospel, and Jazz. Folks sang the same words of hope, love, and despair, with a little more soul. Jazz opened the world’s eyes to rebellion, allowing artists to express their provocative-leaning feelings outwardly. By the 1950s and 60s, this was in full swing with Rock n’ Roll and the rise of the modern concert. Artists like Elvis Presley and The Beatles tantalized audiences, creating a space that validated fiery teenage dreams and emotional hysteria.
How Themes Bridged Generations
Today’s most popular songs aren’t too far off from their predecessors if not just a bit more meta. The current Billboard Hot 100 showcases songs about break-ups, triumphant partying, and abundant amounts of love. Compared to our ancestors’ lyrics, the meaning behind the words remains the same even in more complex situations.
Billie Eilish‘s song, “Birds of a Feather”, which is charting at number 2 right now, is a heartfelt love song speculated to be about her former boyfriend, Jesse Rutherford. Meanwhile, Post Malone and Morgan Wallen describe the consequences of a nasty break-up in their song, “I Had Some Help”. The overarching lyrical messages of love and despair are still present even in 2024.
While the themes of heavy emotion have remained the same, what has changed is the modern lyrics’ narrative. We live in an era where listeners hope to relate to more specific feelings in music. One fantastic example of this is Taylor Bickett’s 2022 single, “Quarter Life Crisis“. In this song, Bickett describes the strange time in her early 20s when she didn’t quite feel like an adult but felt burnt out like one. It’s a powerful narrative many Millennials and Gen Z know all too well. A-listers like Olivia Rodrigo and Chappell Roan soared to stardom with stylized and relatable lyrics.
In Conclusion
Throughout history, lyrics have played a key role in expressing emotion in music. Some themes are static, such as love, loss, grief, and triumph. However, musicians are recognized more than ever for their unique takes on relatable scenarios and appreciated for their vulnerability. Ancient songwriters lived complex lives just as we do, but those complex lyrics have just begun to become mainstream.
Even in the 1970s and 80s, experimental lyricism wasn’t nearly as praised as it is now. Of course, that doesn’t discount the value of a well-written love song or lament. Overall, when it comes to lyrics, the most popular songs are the ones that listeners relate to the most.
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