On August 28th, 2015, nearing the completion of my Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) degree at the University of Pennsylvania, I found myself in the office of Dr. James Pennebaker, a distinguished researcher in the realms of language and emotional experiences. My anticipation was high, eager to delve into a topic close to my heart: the profound influence of words. More specifically, I was keen to discuss the significance of lyrics, the very words that give songs their voice. I envisioned a stimulating conversation about favorite lyrics, the potential of artists to shape the world, and the wealth of resources he might offer to bolster my hypothesis and set the stage for my capstone project. I was convinced this discussion would be groundbreaking.
I initiated the recording on my iPhone, deciding to address what seemed like an obvious starting point: “Do you believe lyrics have an impact on well-being?” To me, the affirmative answer felt self-evident for two key reasons. Firstly, as a singer-songwriter who not only performs original songs but has always been deeply attuned to lyrics, I’ve personally experienced the comfort and influence that song lyrics wield over my emotional landscape. Secondly, my work with children facing immense challenges – from cancer treatment to end-of-life care, substance abuse recovery, and juvenile detention – involved using songwriting as a tool for expression and healing. Witnessing the transformative power of these songs on the children and their caregivers was the catalyst that propelled me towards the MAPP program.
I was deeply convinced of the potency of songs to nurture emotional health. My capstone question, “Message in the music: Do lyrics influence well-being?” seemed to have a resounding “Yes!” as an answer. Therefore, imagine my astonishment when Pennebaker, a pioneer in expressive writing and writing therapy, responded with a shrug and the words, “No, I don’t think lyrics influence well-being. In fact, I don’t really listen to lyrics.”
Thus began my capstone journey, an exploration into whether my seemingly obvious conviction held water, or if it was, in fact, unfounded. While my research didn’t unearth a plethora of studies directly confirming my initial hypothesis, I discovered interconnected threads and overlapping research that solidified my belief: lyrics wield a significant influence on emotional health, both individually and potentially on a global scale.
The Ubiquitous Nature of Music and Songs with Lyrics
It’s an undeniable truth that music is, and always has been, woven into the fabric of every society. Envisioning a world devoid of music is almost an impossible task: no enchanting first dances at weddings, no personal soundtracks for daily commutes, no evocative scores enhancing films, no vibrant stadium concerts, no intimate coffee shop melodies, and certainly no communal singing around a campfire. This imaginative void feels unnatural because, throughout documented human history, music has been a constant companion (Levitin, 2006). Music is ubiquitous; it permeates every conceivable human society (MacDonald et al., 2012), accompanying every facet of human experience, from jubilant celebrations to somber grief, from thrilling sporting events to sacred weddings. Music transcends cultural boundaries, resonating across diverse traditions. The emotional impact of music, both positive and negative, is so widespread that it holds potential as a public health tool due to its accessibility (Västfjäll et al., 2012). Victor Hugo eloquently captured this sentiment, stating, “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and cannot remain silent.” Yet, music in its instrumental form is largely a composition of notes and rhythms. What happens when we introduce words into this powerful medium?
Alt text: Portrait of James Pennebaker, psychology professor, expert in language and emotions.
Enter lyrics: the words within songs. To discuss lyrics is inherently to discuss music itself. Music and lyrics are not isolated entities; they are synergistic partners, co-creating an experience that would be fundamentally altered by the absence of either element. Consider the iconic Beatles’ track, “Here Comes The Sun.” The uplifting melody harmonizes perfectly with the optimistic lyrics, “Here comes the sun, and I say, it’s alright.” Would this song evoke the same feeling if the music shifted to a minor key, becoming somber and ominous? Or if the lyrics were replaced with “and darkness stays, and I say, burn it down”? While the degree of influence may vary between music and lyrics, their combined power to shape emotions is undeniable. Music, even on its own, possesses a remarkable capacity to sway our emotional state (Bharucha et al., 2006; Clark, 2013; Juslin, 2001; Juslin, 2003; Levitin, 2007, & Västfjäll et al., 2012).
The Separate Power of Music and Words on Well-being
Music is not the sole art form capable of influencing well-being. Words, the other half of the lyrical equation, also wield considerable power over our emotional state. The extensive research on expressive writing demonstrates that dedicating just 15 minutes daily to writing can yield significant improvements in well-being. This practice has been shown to bolster motivation, self-efficacy, flow, and self-regulation (Pennebaker & Seagal, 1999). These studies often focus on writing about personal experiences. But what about the words we consume through reading? Research suggests that engaging with classic novels can be a potent tool in combating depression, fostering self-awareness and enhancing the ability to articulate profound aspects of self and existence (Billington, J, Dorwick, C, Robinson, J, Hamer, A, Williams, C., 2011).
The Synergistic Effect: Music with Lyrics Enhances Emotional Impact
Research confirms that both music and words independently impact our emotional states. But what about their combined influence? Investigating the synergy of music and lyrics proved to be a more complex aspect of my research. Lyrics, surprisingly, receive less scholarly attention than music alone, despite their frequent partnership (Juslin, 2005). Studies exploring the intricate relationship between language and music reveal how music can amplify language in various ways.
The “OPERA” hypothesis offers a compelling framework for understanding this synergy. It proposes that because speech and music share neural networks, we can leverage neuroplasticity when five key conditions are met. These conditions are: “(1) Overlap: anatomical overlap exists in brain networks processing acoustic features common to both music and speech (e.g., waveform periodicity, amplitude envelope), (2) Precision: music demands greater processing precision in these shared networks compared to speech, (3) Emotion: musical activities engaging these networks evoke strong positive emotions, (4) Repetition: these musical activities are frequently repeated, and (5) Attention: they are associated with focused attention” (Patel, A.D., 2012). Patel’s OPERA hypothesis suggests that setting words to music can create a powerful amplification effect, exceeding the individual impacts of music or words in isolation.
Alt text: Live music performance with singer and band on stage, illuminated by stage lights, capturing the energy of songs with lyrics.
Musical taste and engagement are subjective and fluctuate based on personal preferences, moods, and even seasons. However, the historical and cultural presence of music and Songs With Lyrics is undeniable (Levitin, 2006). From Gregorian chants, serving as mnemonic and communicative tools for religious texts (Apel, 1958), to the powerful protest songs of the civil rights movement in the 1960s (Rodnitsky, 1969), songs with lyrics have played a crucial role in human expression and communication. The vast majority of songs on popular radio, celebrated at the Grammys, and cherished in personal music libraries incorporate lyrics. These words infuse songs with an added layer of depth and resonance. The field of lyrics research is ripe with potential. Yip Harburg, the celebrated lyricist behind “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “It’s Only a Paper Moon,” beautifully articulated the essence of lyrics: “Words make you think… music makes you feel…but a song makes you feel thoughts” (Alonso, 2012, Preface section, para. 12).
Conclusion: The Enduring Influence of Songs with Lyrics
Despite initial skepticism, exploring the research and reflecting on the pervasive role of songs with lyrics in human experience has reinforced the profound impact of lyrical content on emotional well-being. While further research is always needed to fully understand the nuances of this relationship, the evidence suggests that songs with lyrics are not merely entertainment; they are potent vessels of emotional and cognitive influence. The ability of songs with lyrics to make us “feel thoughts” underscores their unique and powerful role in shaping our inner world and collective human experience.
References
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Apel, W. (1958). Gregorian chant. Harvard University Press.
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Billington, J., Dowrick, C., Robinson, J., Hamer, A., & Williams, C. (2011). An investigation into the therapeutic benefits of reading in relation to depression and well-being. The journal of narrative medicine, 1(3), 246-256.
Clark, E. (2013). Music, mind, and body. Cambridge University Press.
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Pennebaker, J. W., & Seagal, J. D. (1999). Forming a story: The health benefits of narrative. Journal of clinical psychology, 55(10), 1243-1254.
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Västfjäll, D., Juslin, P. N., & Hartig, T. (2012). Music, subjective wellbeing, and health in everyday life. In Music, health, and wellbeing (pp. 277-297). Oxford University Press.
