A study of US Billboard song lyrics from 1973 to 2023 has found long-term increases in stress, negativity, and simplicity, but with some disruption during certain societal crises. The overall trend suggests that popular song lyrics have become more negative over the past 50 years, reflecting rising distress in America. However, there is some indication of a shift during a specific period, although the nature and timing of this shift are not entirely clear.