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.

New York State of Mind

April 10, 2020 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay, lyric analysis

A video essay on New York from the perspective of songs from the Billboard year-end Top Ten collection (1951-2019)

"Moon" songs

September 13, 2019 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A post on pop songs featuring the word moon

"Beach" in Top Ten Music

August 13, 2019 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

Today’s post looks at occurrences of the word beach in songs from Billboard’s year-end Top Ten (1951-2018).

"Smooth" and other assorted "moon songs"

July 30, 2017 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A post on pop songs featuring the word moon

A horse is of course a horse of course

May 13, 2017 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay, lyric analysis

A music video essay comprising pop songs featuring references to horses

"Coast" in popular music

April 12, 2017 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay examining the word coast in Top 30 music. Includes video clips from Eminem, Tupac, and Thin Lizzy.

Basketball references in Top 30 music

April 03, 2017 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay on basketball terms found in the Billboard year-end Top Thirty collection. Includes videos by Ray Stevens, Janis Ian, Will Smith, and Jay Z.

"Rock and roll" in pop music

March 20, 2017 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis, music video essay

The phrase rock and roll in the Billboard year-end Top Ten collection and beyond. Includes videos by Led Zeppelin, Dire Straits, The Frost, and Blue Oyster Cult.

References to states in Top Ten music

March 08, 2017 by Lamont Antieau in lyric analysis, music video essay

A post on the use of state names in Top Ten music (1951-2016). Features videos from Adele, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Otis Redding, as well as a link to a word search.

"Miracle" in Top 30 music

February 22, 2017 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay of songs featuring the word miracle. Includes songs by Supertramp, Billy Ocean, Roxette, and Kenny Loggins.

All things Russian in Top 30 music

February 21, 2017 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay on references to Russia in pop music. Features songs by Eminem, Jamie Foxx, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney and Sting.

"Love" in Top Ten Music (1951-2016)

February 14, 2017 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay featuring songs of love in Billboard's year-end Top Ten charts (1951-2016). Features songs by Redbone, The Beatles, Wings, The Righteous Brothers, Lady Gaga, and Alicia Keys.

Football references in Top 30 music

February 05, 2017 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay comprising songs that in songs from the Billboard year-end Top 30 charts (1951-2016) that include references to football. Features songs by John Mellencamp, Jay-Z, and Gwen Stefani. Accompanied by word search.

"Texas" in Top 30 music (1951-2016)

January 11, 2017 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

Music video essay featuring songs from the Billboard year-end Top 30 charts (1951-2016) with the word Texas in them. Includes songs by Lady Gaga, Steve Miller, Thin Lizzy, and ZZ Top.

More on "work" in Top Ten music

January 06, 2017 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

Top Ten songs (1951-2016) featuring forms of the word work

"Midnight" in the garden of Top 30 music

December 31, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay, lyric analysis

The term midnight as it appears in songs of Billboard's year-end Top 30 songs

"Faith" in Top Ten music (1951-2015)

December 25, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

a blog about the word faith in Top Ten music and assorted videos from George Michael

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)

Songs celebrating tea in Top 30 music

December 19, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay of songs in Billboard's year-end Top 30 charts (1951-2015) that include reference to tea

"Bridge(s)" in Top 10 music

December 04, 2016 by Lamont Antieau in music video essay

A music video essay featuring songs from the Billboard year-end Top 10 charts (1951-2015) with the word bridge(s) in them. Includes songs by Simon and Garfunkel, Frankie Valli, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and James Brown.