As Israel prepares to commemorate Memorial Day on April 30 under the shadow of the Hamas-led terrorist attacks on Oct. 7 and the ongoing national crisis in Israel, a new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem sheds light on how people around the world turn to music—specifically, its lyrics—as a tool for navigating emotional distress, grief and isolation during times of crisis.
Led by professor Renana Peres and Adi Levy from the business school, and professor Roni Granot from the department of musicology at Hebrew University, the study reveals that words—more than melody, rhythm or tempo—play a central role in helping individuals regulate their emotions. To process sorrow, feel less alone or maintain emotional balance, listeners turn to lyrics that reflect their internal states.
Analyzing more than 2,800 “coping songs” chosen by people from 11 countries during the first COVID-19 lockdown, the researchers identified clear patterns between lyrical themes and the emotional goals of listeners. Songs containing lyrics about loss, life and death, belonging or soul were consistently selected by those struggling with sadness, loneliness or a desire for personal reflection.
The study found that people seeking distraction from crisis were more likely to choose songs with themes of loss, while those trying to alleviate loneliness were drawn to lyrics evoking belonging. In contrast, the acoustic features of the songs—such as tempo, harmony or key—showed no consistent connection to emotional goals.
“This research offers a new perspective on how people use music not just for entertainment, but as a meaningful tool for emotional self-regulation,” said Granot. “As Memorial Day approaches, we are reminded that lyrics often give voice to emotions that are difficult to express—grief, remembrance and resilience among them.”
The authors emphasize that while music in general supports emotional coping, lyrics carry particular psychological weight. The findings offer potential applications for therapeutic practices, music streaming algorithms and public well-being initiatives.
“This is the first large-scale empirical study to link lyrical content to emotional coping strategies,” said Peres. “At a time when many are dealing with personal and collective trauma, understanding the emotional power of lyrics can help us better support mental health, both individually and as a society.”
The researchers suggest that the findings could influence how music is used in therapeutic settings, memorial services and even in designing algorithms for personalized playlists that support emotional well-being.
The research paper, titled “Lyrics Do Matter: How ‘Coping Songs’ Relate to Well-Being Goals. The COVID Pandemic Case,” is available in Frontiers in Psychology.
