Music Where are all the STEM songs hiding?

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Popular songs predominantly focus on human relationships, particularly romantic ones, with logical or STEM-themed songs being exceedingly rare. While some modern songs explore different topics, they often lack mainstream visibility. The emotional nature of music is emphasized, suggesting that songs are designed to evoke feelings rather than convey logic. Comedic STEM songs exist but are typically considered novelty items, lacking the emotional depth that resonates with audiences. Examples of STEM-related songs include works by artists like Neil Young and Monty Python, which touch on environmental themes and scientific concepts, respectively. The rarity of STEM songs is attributed to their inability to engage listeners emotionally in the same way as traditional love songs. Additionally, the complexity of STEM subjects often makes them less accessible for musical expression, leading to a preference for more relatable themes. Ultimately, while there are songs that reference scientific ideas, they often do not achieve the emotional impact that characterizes popular music.
  • #61
Xforce said:
From the first time I listened a song with lyrics, almost all popular songs are about relationships between people (especially romantic relationships).
[...]
Why are “logical” songs so rare, and all of them are emotional? That makes no sense
It makes very much sense to me. We humans are (arguably fundamentally) an emotional and social species.

EDIT: And if I allow myself to have some fun and strech it, I could argue that all songs are part of STEM. Emotions, and thus social relations, are governed by biology (and chemistry etc.), and biology is a natural science and thus STEM. :biggrin:
 
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  • #62
But art is esthetic, designed to elicit a sensory/emotional reaction, first experienced at an emotional level, through the senses. I don't see how a STEM song can elicit an esthetic , emotional, pre-rational reaction.
 
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  • #63
WWGD said:
But art is esthetic, designed to elicit a sensory/emotional reaction, first experienced at an emotional level, through the senses. I don't see how a STEM song can elicit an esthetic , emotional, pre-rational reaction.
The thought of contact with another intelligent species or just finding strong evidence of life in the universe other than Earth makes me excited, fearful, emotional.
Bowie too.
 
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  • #64
The carpenters.

 
  • #65
WWGD said:
But to clarify the question: do you mean the theme itself is STEM- based or that the lyrics themselves address technical points? Or something else?
This is an important point no one is seriously going to try and address quantum notation or tensors in a song BUT the overall subjects and implications of things like time travel, the vastness of space ETs/contact, pollution and ecological issues and vivisection are all covered. Here is one on the importance of protecting intelligent species other than our own.
 
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  • #66
 
  • #67
pinball1970 said:
This is an important point no one is seriously going to try and address quantum notation or tensors in a song
Who knows, it may just be the future of education!
 
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  • #68
 
  • #69
WWGD said:
But art is esthetic, designed to elicit a sensory/emotional reaction, first experienced at an emotional level, through the senses. I don't see how a STEM song can elicit an esthetic , emotional, pre-rational reaction.

I think that you need a good story and presentation to make up for the fundamentally drier subject matter normally associated with STEM. This need not always be the case.
Good story telling and engaging presentation can drag along a bunch of STEM information in a variety of entertaining ways.
 
  • #70
pinball1970 said:
This is clever but I would have preferred them in order or at least by group or something. This version has alkali metals with halogens, inert gases with heavy metals. A bit of a Mish mash
You're just jealous 'cause Vanadium isn't first.
 
  • #71
StatGuy2000 said:
Since we are on the topic of STEM songs, Neil deGrasse Tyson was asked on the popular YouTube show First We Feast by host Sean Evans on rap lyrics with references or comments on science.

(Note: Skip ahead on the video to 11:56.)


De Grasse is always greener with Neil ;).
 
  • #72
Keith_McClary said:
You're just jealous 'cause Vanadium isn't first.
Why Vanadium?
I think we have demonstrated songs about science are not that rare.
Hawkwind sang about Galileo and Einstein, interstellar travel cloning, sonic attack...
This one is about pseudoscience.
 
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  • #73
There is a connection between this song and Orgone accumulator.
 
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  • #74
This is certainly a Scientific question. Probably the question now is WAS there life on Mars.
Anyway a good excuse to put more Bowie up.
 
  • #75
pinball1970 said:
Probably the question now is WAS there life on Mars.
Just off and on . . . .:rocket:

.
 
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  • #76
pinball1970 said:
This is certainly a Scientific question. Probably the question now is WAS there life on Mars.
Anyway a good excuse to put more Bowie up.

Dont mean to nitpick but is it about technical questions on determining if there was/is life on the moon or about emotional implications of the existence of life on the moon? Sorry, I am on my phone having trouble opening the video.
 
  • #77
WWGD said:
Dont mean to nitpick but is it about technical questions on determining if there was/is life on the moon or about emotional implications of the existence of life on the moon? Sorry, I am on my phone having trouble opening the video.
Bowies lyrics can be cryptic at the best of times.
He give some explanation here
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_on_Mars_(song)
 
  • #78
This is a perfect example of what I was referring to in terms of songs being visceral:

Whether you like the song or not, it hits you in the gut before you even consider analyzing it.
 
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  • #79
There are plenty of STEM tunes, here are a few I like:



I'll write a tune on F theory and LQG...
 
  • #80
I am more into instrumental music; and I study with instrumental music the best.
 
  • #81
MathematicalPhysicist said:
I am more into instrumental music; and I study with instrumental music the best.
I like some of the white noise " music". Seems one gets enough input otherwise in today's world.
 
  • #82
Not sure if it is STEM enough but here goes...

“In the constellation of Cygnus
There lurks a mysterious, invisible force
The Black Hole of Cygnus X-1
Six stars of the northern cross
In mourning for their sister's loss
In a final flash of glory
Nevermore to grace the night
Invisible
To telescopic eye
Infinity
The star that would not die
All who dare
To cross her course
Are swallowed by
A fearsome force
Through the void
To be destroyed
Or is there something more?
Atomized, at the core
Or through the astral door
To soar
I set a course just east of Lyra
And northwest of Pegasus
Flew into the light of Deneb
Sailed across the Milky Way
On my ship, the 'Rocinante'
Wheeling through the galaxies,
Headed for the heart of Cygnus
Headlong into mystery
The x-ray is her siren song
My ship cannot resist her long
Nearer to my deadly goal
Until the black hole
Gains control
Spinning, whirling
Still descending
Like a spiral sea
Unending
Sound and fury
Drowns my heart
Every nerve
Is torn apart”

Cygnus X-1, Rush

 
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  • #83
In answer to the OP’s question, “why so rare?”, I submit that it’s because you can’t dance to a STEM song.
 
  • #84
chemisttree said:
In answer to the OP’s question, “why so rare?”, I submit that it’s because you can’t dance to a STEM song.
Just, I guess, like one cannot dance to something like the 'Happy Birthday' song. That would be fun to watch :).( Of course, the birthday song is not intended as music.)
 
  • #85
chemisttree said:
In answer to the OP’s question, “why so rare?”, I submit that it’s because you can’t dance to a STEM song.

I feel like all the They Might Be Giants STEM songs beg to differ
 
  • #86
chemisttree said:
In answer to the OP’s question, “why so rare?”, I submit that it’s because you can’t dance to a STEM song.
You have never been to a Hawkwind gig?
 
  • #87
A Tribute to space travel by Joe Steven inspired by the SpaceX Mars project.

 
  • #88
A catchy tribute to The Manhattan Project

 
  • #89
Mathematics and particularly, the usage of Mathematician, has been used in countless Hip Hop songs.
 
  • #90
This has got to be stem.
 

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