This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2007, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Americans have always loved singing about love. But the lyrics found on modern radio might make an old rocker gasp. Chad Swiatowicz, a graduate student at the University of Florida, compared contemporary song lyrics with the music of a generation ago and discovered the biggest difference was in foul language.
Other findings:
* Despite wars marking both eras - Vietnam and Iraq - few of the most popular songs of either era protested the conflicts.
* Earlier songs were more likely to address broader social issues ("People Got to Be Free," "Indian Reservation" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water"), and encouraged people to live peaceful lives, free of hatred and oppression ("Joy to the World" and "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In"). Only one song from the recent era was more global in addressing current events, he said, while many more emphasized subjects such as self-esteem, depression and anxiety.
- Jennifer Barrett
