In the present series of studies, we analyzed the lyrics in popular songs in an attempt to identify the existence of embedded reproductive/evolutionary messages. Being the first of their kind, these were largely descriptive studies. The adaptive value of music eluded scientists for a long time. While Pinker (1997) has been quick to dismiss music as “auditory cheesecake,” Darwin (1871) suggested that music may have evolved as a form of courtship display by means of sexual selection. Following Darwin’s lead, there is now growing interest in the origins of music (., Mithen, 2006; Wallin, Merker, and Brown, 2000)
