Post Reports Why are songs getting shorter?
Sep 2, 2024
Szu Yu Chen, a graphics reporter at The Washington Post, joins to explore the intriguing trend of shorter songs in today's music scene. Highlighting her observations from the Grammy Awards, she discusses how evolving listener habits and technology influence song lengths. From the historical shift from long tracks by icons like Bob Dylan to the current impact of streaming platforms, the conversation dives into artists' perspectives on changing structures and the challenges of retaining creativity amidst shorter formats.
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Kill Bill's Length
- Sean Carter hadn't realized SZA's "Kill Bill" was so short.
- He enjoyed it so much that he played it on repeat.
Inspiration for Analysis
- Szu Yu Chen, inspired by BTS and Fuji Kaze, noticed a trend of shorter songs.
- This observation during the Grammys prompted her analysis of song lengths.
Short Songs at the Grammys
- At the Grammys, about 28 out of 144 nominated songs were under three minutes.
- Examples include SZA's "Kill Bill" and Nicki Minaj's "Barbie World."