Melodies in chart-topping music have become less complex, study finds

Scientists say changes since 1950 could partly be due to new genres such as stadium rock, disco and hip-hop

“Won’t you play a simple melody,” sang Bing Crosby in his rendition of the Irving Berlin classic. Now it seems his wish has come true: research has revealed the tunes of modern chart-toppers are less complex than those of the past.

Scientists say the change could – at least in part – be down to the emergence of new genres over the decades, such as stadium rock, disco and hip-hop.

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