Music: Musician Facts, Trivia, Quizzes, Brain Teasers & More

With their fifth and final album, 1983’s 'Synchronicity,' The Police were on the verge of something big.

You might want to give those 'Born in the U.S.A.' lyrics another look.

Bruce Springsteen's 'Born in the U.S.A.' isn't the patriotic anthem you think it is, and it turns out that 'Gangnam Style' has a real message behind it.

Melody Thornton performing from 'The Bodyguard' at The National Lottery's Big Night Of Musicals in Manchester, February 2023.

The show must go on—unless boisterous audience members insist on being part of it.

Marian Anderson, a gifted contralto, was one of the most famous singers of all time, interpreting everything from Black spirituals to Italian opera.

Don’t let your favorite pop star drain your bank account.

There is a way to get those elusive tickets without the opening-day frenzy and having to empty your bank account—it all comes down to knowing when to buy concert tickets.

The composer suffered from hearing loss and a number of mysterious ailments before his death at age 56. His hair is providing some answers.

Put your Southern comfort cooking skills to the test.

You can now recreate the best food at Dollywood restaurants—cinnamon bread included—in your own kitchen.

Posters from a Jeff Tweedy concert (left) and Lotus concert (right).

Burlington, Vermont’s Higher Ground has a long history of producing iconic concert posters in collaboration with local arts organizations.

These rare albums are probably worth more than your entire collection. Check out the reasons why here.

Spotify DJ provides the personalized touch of a real DJ, right down to the voice commentary.

Duke Ellington with members of his orchestra in New York, 1946.

Time to press play on “Take the ‘A’ Train” and find out how Edward Ellington became the Duke.

The show's title track was based on a woman who got herself a knife.

Warning: These facts might blow your mind.

Like animals, history, science, and more? You'll want to store these amazing fun facts away for future trivia nights.

The renowned actor, who had a background as a nightclub singer, decided to try his hand at pop music while in character as terrible lawyer Vinny Gambini.

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

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)

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.

And Mickey Mouse could be next.

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

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.

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

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" 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.

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.

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

MUSIC

10 Facts About The Police's 'Synchronicity'

25 Famous Songs With Misunderstood Meanings

‘The Bodyguard’ Musical Cut Short in Manchester Due to Rowdy Audience Sing-Along

10 Inspiring Facts About Marian Anderson

The Best Time to Buy Concert Tickets

DNA Analysis of Beethoven’s Hair Reveals New Clues About His Death

Recreate Dollywood Cinnamon Bread, Barbecued Pork, and More With ‘The Unofficial Dollywood Cookbook’

Higher Ground—Burlington, Vermont’s Beloved Music Venue—Is Releasing a Book Full of Its Iconic Concert Posters

10 Records You Might Own That Are Now Worth a Fortune

Spotify’s New AI DJ Thinks It Knows Which Songs You’ll Love

9 Facts About Duke Ellington

The Real-Life Murder That Inspired 'The Sopranos' Theme Song

135 Amazing Facts for People Who Like Amazing Facts

When Joe Pesci Released an Album as 'Cousin Vinny'

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

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

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

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

Our 40 Favorite Stories of 2022

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

7 Christmas Songs Banned in the Past

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

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

11 Hit Songs That Reference Great Works of Literature