wordwatching

At the crossroads of language and culture

Dedicated to the study of language variation and change in American English, with special regard to the West, pop lyrics, and social media.

The four elements in Top Ten music (1951-2015)

December 23, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis, music video essay

A post discussing the appearance of the four elements in songs from Billboard's year-end Top Ten charts (1951-2015)

Taking flight in Top Ten music

December 17, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis

An analysis of terms associated with air travel in Billboard's year-end Top 10 charts (1951-2015)

"Nasty" in pop music

October 24, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis

A post on the occurrence of the word nasty in songs from the Top Thirty year-end Billboard charts (1951-2015)

Variants of "beer" in Top 30 music (1951-2015)

October 01, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lexical variation, lyric analysis, music video essay

A lexical analysis of "beer" variants in songs from Billboard's year-end Top 30 charts (1951-2015) and a music video essay, featuring songs from Wings, Climax Blues Band, Montell Jordan, Nelly, Pink, and Hank Williams.

Four-wheeled vehicles in pop music

May 02, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis

A post about what people call various types of vehicles -- as well as makes and models -- in songs from the Billboard year-end Top Ten charts (1951-2015).

Planetary pop music

April 29, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay, lyric analysis

A post on planets referred to in songs from Billboard's year-end Top 30 music charts (1951-2015), featuring videos by Blondie, Prince, David Bowie, Lenny Kravitz, Stevie Wonder, and others.

"Brother" and "sister" in pop music

April 10, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis

A post discussing terms for siblings used in pop music. Includes a video featuring Marvin Gaye and links to videos of songs by Bill Withers, Little Eva, and Train.

Holiday names in pop music

March 27, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis

Holiday names in songs from Billboard's year-end Top 30 charts (1951-2015). Includes videos by Rosemary Clooney and Ella Mae Morse.

The rise and fall of "shorty" in popular music

March 24, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis, music video essay

Use of the word shorty in pop music. Includes videos by TLC and Katy Perry.

The four seasons in pop music

March 20, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis, music video essay

The names of the four seasons in Top 10 songs (1951-2015). Includes videos of songs by, of course, Terry Jacks and, of course, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Knighthood in pop music

March 11, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay, lyric analysis

A post looking at knighthood in songs from Billboard's year-end Top 30 charts (1951-2015). Includes videos of songs by The Beatles, Lulu, Stevie Wonder, and America.

"Ain't" in pop music*

March 03, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis, variation in lyrics, language variation

A post on the use of ain't in songs from Billboard's year-end Top Ten charts (1951-2015)

Giving "peace" a chance in pop music

March 01, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis

An analysis of the word peace in songs from Billboard's year-end Top 30 charts (1951-2015). Includes videos of songs by The Four Tops, Paul McCartney, Anita Baker, and John and Yoko.

I'd like to thank the Academy

February 28, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis, music video essay

A post about popular songs from Billboard's year-end Top Ten charts (1951-2015) that refer to various aspects of the movie industry. Includes videos of songs by Madonna, Michael Jackson, Mark Ronson, and Led Zeppelin.

Playing fast and loose with the Fats

February 27, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis, variation in lyrics

A linguistic analysis of some of Fats Domino's most popular songs

"Wind" (mighty and otherwise) in pop music

February 24, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis

A post on variants of wind included in songs from the Billboard year-end Top Ten charts (1951-2015). Includes videos of songs by The Association, Jimi Hendrix, Journey, and Led Zeppelin.

The not-so-famous "chili-dog line" in the history of Top Ten music

February 17, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis

Use of words for dog in songs from Billboard's year-end Top Ten (1951-2015)

Pop music for Presidents' Day 2016

February 15, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis, music video essay

A post on references to presidents in American pop music (1951-2015). Includes videos of songs by Johnny Horton, Tupac Shakur, and Paul Simon and Stevie Wonder.

Speaking of saints...

February 14, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis, music video essay

A post looking at the use of the word saint(s) in songs from the Billboard year-end Top Thirty charts (1951-2015). Includes videos of songs by Joan Osborne, The Killers, and Justin Timberlake.

Be true to your school

February 11, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis

School and its premodifiers in songs from the Billboard year-end Top Thirty charts (1951-2015)