Laura Sakka: “The Role of Lyrics in Musical Emotions”

Dr. Laura Sakka, Uppsala University Hospital: “The Role of Lyrics in Musical Emotions”

Research on emotional experiences with music is abundant and the consensus is clear: music is powerfully emotional. But what is the role of lyrics in musical emotions? Lyrics have accompanied music since antiquity, while today most music people listen to worldwide contains lyrics. However, the role of lyrics in emotional experiences with music has received relevantly little attention. In this presentation I argue for the importance of considering lyrics in musical emotions. I discuss why lyrics may influence emotional experiences, present research exploring whether lyrics contribute to emotions, and examine when (under which circumstances) lyrics’ effect may be more pronounced. Theoretical assumptions are finally presented with regards to how lyrics may induce emotional reactions, with a focus on psychological mechanisms underlying the induction of emotions.