A study analyzing 360 Australian chart-topping songs from 1988-2023 found that themes of human connection (relatedness) were most prevalent in lyrics, appearing in 73% of tracks. Researchers used psychological theories about autonomy, competence, and relatedness to decode why certain lyrics resonate deeply with listeners. Songs like Dua Lipa's 'Levitating' and John Legend's 'All of Me' exemplify how lyrics can foster feelings of connection. The research also noted that satisfaction themes (like romantic relationships) were more common than frustration themes (like heartbreak), with 47% of songs addressing satisfaction versus 25% on frustration. Autonomy and competence themes appeared in 15.6% and 11.4% of tracks respectively, highlighting how music can support emotional regulation. The study suggests that understanding these lyrical patterns could help develop mental health tools like apps that use music for wellbeing. This research underscores the profound impact of song lyrics on our emotional lives and their potential as therapeutic resources.

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