What We're Following: Sad Songs, Sad Teens, and Scientific Breakthroughs
Plus: Having attractive parents means you'll be wealthier.
Chart of the Week: Sad Songs Prevail
The success of female songwriters like Billie Eilish and SZA at this year’s Grammys brought to mind this great chart from musician Chris Dalla Riva. The share of #1 hits in a minor key (that is, sad-sounding songs) jumped hugely in the early 2000s, and while it has since dipped, it remains a good 20-30% higher than what it was in the 1970s and ‘80s.