A recent study conducted by musicologists at Queen Mary University of London analyzed Billboard hits spanning the past 73 years and discovered a noticeable trend towards simplification in both rhythm and pitch in popular song melodies.
The study, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports, identified three key “melodic revolutions” in 1975, 1996, and 2000 that contributed to this trend of increasing simplicity in vocal melodies. Rhythm, the pattern of sounds and silences in music, and pitch, the measure of how high or low notes are, were found to have decreased in complexity by approximately 30 percent over the years.
For example, the 1975 hit “Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain & Tennille was noted for its unexpected notes and rhythmic complexity, while the top song of 2000, “Breathe” by Faith Hill, featured no accidentals, lots of repetition, and straightforward rhythms.
This study provides valuable insights into the evolution of popular music and how musical trends have shifted over time. It raises questions about the factors driving this simplification of melodies and the impact it has on listeners and the music industry as a whole.
Overall, this research sheds light on the changing landscape of music and invites further exploration into the reasons behind this simplification trend in popular song melodies.
