Word length was a key variable. As the study's author Andrew Powell-Morse put it: "Country is the only genre generally devoid of words like 'oh' or 'yeah' repeated 20 times in a row. Sorry everyone else, but if you say it in the song, it's counted as a 'lyric.'"

But as The A.V. Club noted earlier this year, more bands are using the words "woah-oh-ohh" in the chorus. We have to know: Do the hyphens make it all one long word? 

"Okay, but you know what he said? The reason country scored highest is because they have long syllable words like hillbilly and cigarettes. He said that!" Jennifer Westhoven said. 

"Or camouflage," Robin Meade said, laughing. 

About the Author

Featured

Julian Conley listens during opening statements in his trial at Fulton County Superior Court in Atlanta on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. The 25-year-old is accused of fatally shooting 8-year-old Secoriea Turner in July 2020. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC)

Credit: abbey.cutrer@ajc.com