Research Shows: Troubled Times Call for Sober Songs

In a study to be published in Psychology of Music, researchers Terry Pettijohn II and Donald F. Sacco Jr. present a novel economic indicator. "We conducted a study looking at Billboard Number One songs from 1955 to 2003," says Pettijohn. "When socioeconomic conditions were more challenging, the songs that had more meaningful themes and content were most popular." The science isn't always perfect: "Macarena" — one of the most frivolous hits ever — was the top song of 1996, even though inflation was up. Pettijohn breaks it down:

"At the Hop," Danny and the Juniors 1958

The economy roared through the Fifties, and so the hits were light: "It's upbeat in terms of tempo, and it's about having a good time," says Pettijohn. "Pretty simple."

"Hey Jude," the Beatles 1968

Despite a boom economy, the year's biggest song was surprisingly serious. Pettijohn points to social unrest, including the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and RFK, as possible explanations.

"That's What Friends Are For," Dionne Warwick 1986

Warwick's charity jam "rated high on the dimension of comforting," Pettijohn writes.

"In Da Club," 50 Cent 2003

The more things change..."In Da Club" is basically just "a modern-day version of 'At the Hop,' " says Pettijohn.

"Whatever You Like," T.I. 2008

The music hasn't yet caught up to the economy's collapse: T.I.'s featherweight jam about jets, sex and Patrón ruled the charts at the end of 2008.

[From Issue 1067 — December 11, 2008]