The audio tracks consist of vowel sounds—mostly screaming. Each is a clip from a song whose title has something to do with fear, and that has been in the Billboard Hot 100 at some point. The comments provide additional clues towards the identities of the artists involved, and the date gives the week that the song hit its peak on the Billboard Hot 100 weekly chart.
In each clip, one word is left out. Identify those words, and index into those missing words using the star rating. (Solvers may also notice that all of the missing words are five letters long, as an additional confirmation.)
| Song | Artist | Lyrics (missing word in caps) | Star Rating | Letter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| “Don’t Fear the Reaper” | Blue Öyster Cult |
All our Here but now they’re gone Seasons don’t fear the reaper Nor do the wind, the sun, or the rain |
★★★★★ | S |
| “I’m Afraid of Americans” | David Bowie |
I’m afraid of Americans I’m afraid of the I’m afraid I can’t help it I’m afraid I can’t |
★★☆☆☆ | O |
| “Not Afraid” | Eminem |
We’ll walk this road together, through the storm Whatever weather, cold or warm Just lettin’ you know that you’re not alone Holler if you feel like |
★★★☆☆ | U |
| “The Fear” | Lily Allen |
And when do you think it will all become clear? ’Cause I’m |
★★★★☆ | N |
| “Not Afraid Anymore” | Halsey |
I am not afraid anymore Standing in the eye of the storm Ready to face this
|
★☆☆☆☆ | D |
| “Fearless” | Taylor Swift |
And I don’t know why but with you I’d dance In a storm in my best |
★★★★☆ | S |
Reading the letters in order yields the answer,
SOUNDS.