Linkin Park Fails Lyric Intelligence Test, But Wins At Real Life Intelligence Test
Linkin Park has been one of the most successful rock bands in recent history, selling millions of albums and selling out stadiums and arenas consistently since their debut album, Hybrid Theory, was released in 2000.
Pioneers of a blend of Nu Metal and Rap Metal, they remain extremely popular artists, with their fans often citing their affecting and honest lyrics. However, a recent study conducted by analyst Andrew Powell-Morse has concluded that those lyrics are only the second-most intelligent in rock—with much-maligned Canadian band Nickelback taking the prize.
Limitations of Study
As Blabbermouth noted, Powell-Morse admits that the interpretation of the data is limited at best.
“This data doesn’t touch on the meaning of a song, the metaphors, how the words connect with the artist’s personal story, etc. to create deeper meaning.”
However, the severity of the findings is kind of shocking: Not only are Linkin Park’s lyrics in second place overall, that means their lyrics average a reading level in the third grade. Ouch.
With a reading level of just 3.3 (compared to Linkin Park’s 3.2), however, Nickelback isn’t much better. And the study only covers the years 2005-2015, meaning that the decline in reading level in the lyrics of popular bands can’t really be said to be an overall dumbing-down of the world in general. There are other format factors at play, as well, as Powell-Morse also notes the reason that country songs tend to score higher.
“[Country music is] the only genre generally devoid of words like ‘oh’ or ‘yeah’ repeated 20 times in a row.”
Smarter Than Their Lyrics
Meanwhile, Linkin Park isn’t concerned with perceptions of their lyrical content. Having run one of the most successful businesses in music for the last fifteen years (and let’s face it, a massively successful band is a corporation in every sense these days), they’ve decided to dive into the world of venture capital, having formed Machine Shop Ventures, headed by Executive Vice President Kiel Berry, who spoke recently to CNN Money.
“We’re focused on finding early-to-growth stage companies on a global basis that align with the Linkin Park brand of connecting fans and innovation through tech/design.”
Machine Shop already has three investments in play, in apps Lyft, Robinhood, and Shyp. Linkin Park lead singer Mike Shinoda has said that he finds this kind of work and the companyhe’s keeping inspiring.
“To be around that kind of culture with people who are super cutting-edge thinkers who are so smart, that’s inspiring to me.”
In the end, the pop lyric format is limiting, but the possibilities of music to connect people and build groups and communities remains powerful. Linkin Park may not have the smartest lyrics in the world, but that’s okay by them as long as they have the smartest investments.
And in case you’re now wondering about what’s so third grade about Linkin Park’s lyrics, here are Linkin Park’s top rated YouTube videos. Let us know your favorite Linkin Park lyrics in the comments.
[Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images]
