ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Non-lexical vocables in music

Okay, kiddo, you know how sometimes you like to make silly sounds and sing along to the music, even if you don't know the words? Well, sometimes singers and musicians do that too! They make funny sounds or sing words that don't actually mean anything, just because it sounds cool and adds to the music.

These funny sounds or words that don't have any real meaning are called non-lexical vocables. They are like musical instruments that the singers use with their voices, and they can help create a certain mood or feeling in the music.

Some examples of non-lexical vocables you may have heard before are "la la la," "ooh," "ahh," "doo doo doo," "hey," "yeah," "whoa," "na na na," and "uh-huh."

So, next time you hear a song where the singer is making funny sounds or singing words that don't make sense, you can impress your friends and tell them that it's called a non-lexical vocable!
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