Noninsect Arthropods in Popular Music

Area of Science:

• Arthropod Studies
• Musicology
• Cultural Anthropology

Background:

• Noninsect arthropods (e.g., crustaceans, arachnids) are often perceived differently than insects.
• Popular music serves as a cultural lens to examine human attitudes toward various species.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the representation of noninsect arthropods in popular music.
• To analyze human perceptions and attitudes towards these arthropods as reflected in music.

Main Methods:

• Systematic examination of artist names, album titles, and cover art for noninsect arthropod references.
• Analysis of song lyrics to understand thematic content and sentiment.
• Tracking the historical prevalence of such references in music over time.

Main Results:

• Crustaceans were the most frequently referenced group, potentially due to associations with palatability.
• Spiders and scorpions were used for shock value, strength, and ferocity; spiders were most common in song titles.
• Album releases featuring noninsect arthropods surged after 1990, coinciding with the internet's rise, with giant or chimeric imagery common on covers.

Conclusions:

• Popular music reflects diverse human attitudes towards noninsect arthropods, ranging from edibility to fear and awe.
• The increasing use of noninsect arthropods in music post-1990 suggests evolving cultural engagement with these species.
• Music provides a unique medium for understanding the symbolic and emotional connections between humans and the natural world.