Bing Crosby once sang about the simplicity of melodies, and it seems that modern music has taken his words to heart. Recent research has shown that the melodies of today’s chart-topping songs are less complex compared to those of the past. While some may see this as a sign of music dumbing down, Madeline Hamilton from Queen Mary University of London believes that it might be a result of other aspects of music becoming more intricate.
The study, published in Scientific Reports by Hamilton and Dr Marcus Pearce, analyzed the melodies of songs that made it to the top five of the US Billboard year-end singles music chart from 1950 to 2022. They focused on eight features related to pitch and rhythmic structure. The findings indicated a decline in the average complexity of melodies over time, with significant drops in 1975 and 2000, as well as a smaller decrease in 1996.
Hamilton attributed these declines to the emergence of new music genres like stadium rock, disco, and hip-hop. The rise of hip-hop, in particular, was connected to the simplicity of melodies in more recent years. Additionally, advancements in technology, such as digital audio workstations, may have contributed to an increase in repetition within songs, affecting melody complexity.
Although melodies have become simpler, the analysis showed an increase in note density, meaning more notes are sung per second, especially since 2000. This increase in note density can limit the complexity of melodies but allows for more unexpected pitches and variations in slower-paced songs.
While the study focused solely on chart-topping songs, other aspects of music like timbre and harmony have not shown signs of decline over the years. Hamilton and her team are planning to expand their research to include chords and a larger sample of songs to determine if the trend of decreasing melody complexity persists across a broader range of music.
In conclusion, the evolution of music is a complex process influenced by various factors, including changing genres, technological advancements, and audience preferences. While melodies may have become simpler in popular music, other elements continue to evolve and shape the musical landscape. As researchers delve deeper into the intricacies of music, we may gain a better understanding of how and why musical trends shift over time.
