MUSIC

Taylor Swift at Texas's AT&T Stadium during her 'Reputation' tour in 2018.

Chicago’s Newest Pop-Up Is a Taylor Swift–Themed Break-Up Bar

Calling all anti-heroes, heartbreak princes, and new romantics: This bar is for you (and every other Swiftie).

Footloose Warehouse Dance with Realistic Audio - (No Music)

‘Footloose’ Without Music Is As Awkward As You’d Expect

The warehouse dance scene from ‘Footloose’ takes on a different tone with realistic audio.

Alfred Hitchcock is among the artists whose work is entering the public domain this year.

Works by Hitchcock and Arthur Conan Doyle—and an Early Inspiration for Star Wars—Are Now Part of the Public Domain

And Mickey Mouse could be next.

Dolly Parton Recorded a Song Sealed in a Time Capsule, and You Won’t Hear It Until 2046

The iconic singer is worried her tune might rot before it’s heard by anyone.

Our 40 Favorite Stories of 2022

Mental Floss's writers and editors share their favorite stories from 2022.

This partridge has no idea where the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” came from.

12 Things You Might Not Know About "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

Pipers piping? Geese-a-laying? Five goool-den rings? What is this song all about?

7 Christmas Songs Banned in the Past

The debate about banning “Baby It’s Cold Outside” rages on, but it’s not the only problematic Christmas carol to land on the do-not-play list.

Protestors or carol singers? The answer's not so simple.

Carol of the Bells: How a Ukrainian Protest Song Became a Christmas Staple

"Carol of the Bells" was adapted from the Ukrainian composition “Shchedryk,” a New Year’s ballad that doubled as a cry for independence in the aftermath of World War I.

A Rare Recording of Stephen Sondheim’s 1948 Musical Satire ‘Phinney’s Rainbow’ Was Just Unearthed

When he was an 18-year-old sophomore at Williams College, Stephen Sondheim satirized college life with a musical about a fraternity that tries to swap out philanthropy for more parties.

Taylor Swift, BTS, and The Roots are among the artists who have made literary references in their songs.

11 Hit Songs That Reference Great Works of Literature

Everyone from Lana Del Rey to BTS to The Cure has slipped literary references into their songs.

Haruki Murakami's love of music is evident throughout his body of work.

7 Haruki Murakami Novels and Short Stories Named for Songs

Music plays a big role in his books, but the references are not always as obvious as they may appear.

Unraveling the Many Mysteries of New Order's "Blue Monday"

Equal parts happy accident and technological triumph, “Blue Monday” is a supremely weird and brilliant song that continues to pack dance floors and transfix listeners 40 years after its original release.

Swedish rockers Rednex perform in Hamburg, Germany.

The Murky Origins and Controversial History Behind the Song “Cotton Eye Joe”

Rednex's fiddle-fueled '90s hit “Cotton Eye Joe” was a reworking of an old American folk song that do-si-doed all the way to No. 25 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The DeLorean will hit the road once again.

A ‘Back to the Future’ Musical Arrives on Broadway Next Summer

The show, which has drawn rave reviews in London, will have previews beginning June 30.

The Unlikely Origins—And Rapid Rise—of Chili’s Iconic “Baby Back Ribs” Jingle

It’s 1995, and Guy Bommarito has just bungled an ad campaign so badly that he’s begging Chili’s not to fire him. They give him one last shot.

Why Aren't There More Halloween Songs?

Christmas has tons of music associated with it, while Halloween is practically devoid of holiday tunes. It hardly seems fair.

Gene Simmons won't let death stand in the way of a KISS merchandising opportunity.

Dead Serious: When KISS Unveiled the KISS Kasket

Devout decedents of the KISS Army could opt to be buried in an official KISS coffin, where Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley would wag their tongues at you for all eternity.

Punk rock fans are about to have a museum to call their own.

Vegas Calling: The World’s Only Permanent Punk Rock Museum Is Set to Open in Las Vegas in Early 2023

The museum will feature a bar, wedding chapel, and tattoo parlor.

Tired of straining to hear people during Zoom calls? These Bose headphones can help.

These Bestselling Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones Are on Sale for One of Their Lowest Prices of the Year

Pump up the volume and tune out all the rest with these popular Bose headphones that are now on sale.

Don't think he’s the GOAT? You just made “The List.”

10 Fun Facts You Probably Didn’t Know About Chris Jericho

Think you're a real Jerichoholic? Here are 10 fast facts you might not have known about Chris Jericho, wrestling's preeminent sports entertainer.

The 20 Most Popular Halloween Songs, According to Spotify

From rock classics to horror movie tracks, these are the Halloween songs Spotify users are listening to.

The Queen of Rock and Roll in Barbie form.

Tina Turner Is Getting the Barbie Treatment

The Queen of Rock and Roll was apparently “very involved in the design process” of her Barbie counterpart.

Tell us which Spice Girls facts you want—the ones you really, really want.

Slam It to the Left With These 10 Fun Facts About the Spice Girls

No one does super-fandom like the Brits, and back in late '90s, it looked as though Beatlemania might finally be outdone by the Spice Girls.

Rosanna Arquette and Madonna in 'Desperately Seeking Susan' (1985).

12 Facts About 'Desperately Seeking Susan'

When filming began on 'Desperately Seeking Susan,' Madonna was an up-and-coming singer. By the time shooting wrapped, she was a bona fide superstar.

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