What readability index did they use to determine it?  It seems like they used the Coleman-Liau Index or possibly SMOG.


Edit: Nevermind.  Read the report.  They used some sort of average.  Though their numbers look a little low in that case.  


Different indices will give you different grading levels.  And grade level doesn't really give you much on how 'intelligent' the lyrics are.


Examples:

Who Let The Dogs Out

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 10.7
Gunning-Fog Score 13.5
Coleman-Liau Index 4.8
SMOG Index 3.4
Automated Readability Index 11.6

Harper Valley PTA
<div>Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 4.2
Gunning-Fog Score 6.1
Coleman-Liau Index 6.7
SMOG Index 3.8
Automated Readability Index 3
Average Grade Level 4.8

Hey You

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 3.1
Gunning-Fog Score 5.6
Coleman-Liau Index 5.7
SMOG Index 3.2
Automated Readability Index 2.3

<b>Never Ever Getting Back Together</b>

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 6.3
Gunning-Fog Score 8.6
Coleman-Liau Index 6.3
SMOG Index 5.3
Automated Readability Index 4.8
Average Grade Level 6.3

Bohemian Rhapsody

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 3.9
Gunning-Fog Score 6.1
Coleman-Liau Index 5.8
SMOG Index 5.3
Automated Readability Index 0.9

<b>Dark Horse</b>

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 10
Gunning-Fog Score 12.8
Coleman-Liau Index 4.9
SMOG Index 5.1
Automated Readability Index 10.1

Baby

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 9
Gunning-Fog Score 10.5
Coleman-Liau Index 5
SMOG Index 4.2
Automated Readability Index 7.4

Happy Birthday

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 3.4
Gunning-Fog Score 5.7
Coleman-Liau Index 8.3
SMOG Index 4.1
Automated Readability Index 3.1

All About that Bass

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 20.5
<div>Gunning-Fog Score 23.5
Coleman-Liau Index 4.6
SMOG Index 6
Automated Readability Index 23.7

Not Afraid

Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 34.9
Gunning-Fog Score 38.1
Coleman-Liau Index 5
SMOG Index 9.9
Automated Readability Index 41.8
</div>
</div>

 

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