Music & Recessionary Times

[Frank W. Baker]

Rhythm of the recession: do tough times influence music? Excerpts: "Industry insiders have said that music is a release for people trudging through rough patches. But late last year, a psychology professor at a state university released a study on how music relates — and changes — to tough times." " Terry F. Pettijohn, a social psychologist at Coastal Carolina University, co-authored a study that found when social and economic times were threatening, chart-topping songs are more meaningful, comforting and slower." “Tough times, meaningful music, mature performers: popular Billboard songs and performer preferences across social and economic conditions in the USA,” was released in December in the journal Psychology of Music.