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. 

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Tracy Woodard from InTown Cares (left) and Lauren Hopper from Mercy Care organization work with residents at the Copperton Street encampment in August 2024. 
(Miguel Martinez / AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez