%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20id%3D%22Layer_1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20684.6%2068.1%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20684.6%2068.1%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cg%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M444.1%2C29.3h-17.4v14.5h17.4V29.3z%20M36.4%2C68.1l29.3-50.8V0H50.4L32.9%2C36.8L15.5%2C0H0v68.1h16.7V45.8l12.4%2C22.3H36.4z%0A%09%09%20M49.1%2C68.1h16.6V23.4L49.1%2C52.1V68.1z%20M76.6%2C68.1h45V53.8H93.3V41.6h21V27.1h-21V14.8h28.3V0.1h-45V68.1z%20M175.6%2C68.1h17.3v-68%0A%09%09h-16.5v40.3L150%2C0.1h-17.6v68h16.7V27.7L175.6%2C68.1z%20M235.8%2C14.8h15.4V0.1h-47.4v14.7H219v53.2h16.8V14.8z%20M290.3%2C45.9h-17.1%0A%09%09l7.5-15.6h2L290.3%2C45.9z%20M298.7%2C68.1h18l-32.2-68h-5.7l-32%2C68h18l3.3-7.1h27.1L298.7%2C68.1z%20M325.2%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1h-16.7%0A%09%09V68.1z%20M423.7%2C14.8h27.2V0.1H407v68h16.7V14.8z%20M462%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1H462V68.1z%20M564.8%2C34.1c0%2C10.7-7.2%2C19.2-18.5%2C19.2%0A%09%09c-11.4%2C0-18.5-8.5-18.5-19.2s7.1-19.2%2C18.5-19.2C557.6%2C14.9%2C564.8%2C23.4%2C564.8%2C34.1%20M580.6%2C34.1c0-19-14.2-34-34.3-34%0A%09%09c-20.2%2C0-34.3%2C15-34.3%2C34c0%2C19%2C14.1%2C34%2C34.3%2C34C566.4%2C68.1%2C580.6%2C53.1%2C580.6%2C34.1%20M604.8%2C20.5c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2%0A%09%09c4.4%2C0%2C6.6%2C3%2C6.6%2C6.6h14.7C631.8%2C9.1%2C625.1%2C0.1%2C611%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8%0A%09%09c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6%0A%09%09c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8C610.6%2C26.1%2C604.8%2C25.3%2C604.8%2C20.5%20M670%2C20.9h14.7C683.8%2C9.1%2C677.1%2C0.1%2C663%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6%0A%09%09c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8%0A%09%09c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8c-5.4-1.6-11.3-2.4-11.3-7.2c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2C667.7%2C14.4%2C670%2C17.3%2C670%2C20.9%0A%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
7 Totally Radical 1980s Mall Events
In the 1980s, shopping malls across America hosted everything from video game demonstrations to fans screaming for Patrick Duffy.
MUSIC
How a Czech Rock Band Helped Smash the Iron Curtain
The Plastic People of the Universe started out covering Velvet Underground songs in Prague clubs. By 1989, the band had helped crush communism in the Eastern Bloc.
15 Facts About History's Most Popular Girl Groups
“Girl Groups” is one of those musical genres that’s difficult to define, but that has been incredibly influential on pop music as a whole throughout the decades.
Zig Brother: When David Bowie Tried to Turn George Orwell’s 1984 Into a Musical
David Bowie’s 1974 album 'Diamond Dogs' wasn’t just meant to be a concept album with a few references to George Orwell’s ‘1984.’
The 20 Most Memorable Advertising Jingles of All Time
From insurance to cereal, these products were advertised with famous commercial jingles that are still stuck in our heads years later.
When Chumbawamba Released an Album Celebrating Margaret Thatcher’s Death
The “Tubthumping” rockers bid adieu to the Iron Lady with a touching musical tribute featuring “Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead.”
8 Facts About ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing,’ the Black National Anthem
“Lift Every Voice and Sing,” the so-called Black national anthem, was written by 20th-century novelist/poet/songwriter James Weldon Johnson as a rallying cry for perseverance and social justice.
11 Songs Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings
Thanks to Led Zeppelin, there is nothing more rock ‘n’ roll than Gollum slipping away with your girl.
Tennessee Is One Step Closer to Getting a Dolly Parton Statue on Capitol Hill
After funding COVID-19 vaccine research and donating millions of books to kids, Dolly Parton definitely deserves a statue or two.
25 Swoon-Worthy Facts About Famous Boy Bands
Although they’ve never been taken too seriously, boy bands have been a force ever since The Beatles took the stage on 'The Ed Sullivan Show' and the world witnessed female "hysteria" at its best.
The Past 20 Super Bowl Halftime Shows, Ranked From Best to Worst
Will The Weeknd’s 2021 Super Bowl halftime show outshine Beyoncé’s past appearances? It’s *technically* not impossible.
Penciling in the History of A-ha's 'Take on Me'
The biggest hit that pop band a-ha ever had was actually a reworked idea. 'Take on Me' had failed three times before.
50 Things Turning 50 In 2021
If you're celebrating a 50th birthday or anniversary this year, you're in excellent company. From the first e-mail to McDonald's Quarter Pounder, 1971 was a year full of change.
LEGO's White Noise Playlist Is the ASMR Your Inner Child Needs
The sounds of two LEGO pieces locking together or bricks shuffling in a bin are familiar to many people. Now, you can revisit those aural memories with LEGO's official white noise playlist.
The Real People Who Inspired 21 Popular Songs
Contemporary music has become a constantly expanding repository of classics whose origins sprung up from their most painful and profound experiences, the relationships that dominated portions of the artists’ lives, or just chance encounters that lodged in
Watch a Retrofitted Toaster Play Star Wars’s 'Imperial March'
It's impossible for Star Wars's "Imperial March" not to sound ominous—even when it's played by a toaster with googly eyes.
How The Swingin’ Six Helped Introduce ZIP Codes to the American Public
With upbeat songs and catchy lyrics, the 1960s band The Swingin’ Six helped usher in a new era for the United States Postal Service.
The Delightful Reason Dolly Parton Leaves Her Christmas Decorations Up Through Mid-January
Dolly Parton has made a tradition out of leaving her Christmas decorations up through at least January 19.
11 Hit Songs Musicians Have Refused to Play
Owing to boredom, spite, or just plain artistic growth, some recording artists won't give audiences what they want.
James Baldwin's Record Collection Is Now a 478-Track Spotify Playlist
The celebrated author of 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' used music to inspire and influence his work. Now you can listen, too.
Jab Me Tender: How Elvis Presley Eased People's Minds About the Polio Vaccine
In 1956, the singer agreed to be photographed taking the vaccine in order to drum up public support.
When the BBC Banned Bing Crosby’s 'Deep in the Heart of Texas' for Being Too ‘Jaunty’
The BBC wanted 1950s factory workers to have fun on the job—but Bing Crosby’s clap-happy hit crossed a line.
7 Christmas Albums to Put on Repeat Right Now
Signs of Christmastime are different all over the world, as are Christmas traditions. But, no matter where you are or how you celebrate the holiday, one thing that is universal during the holiday season: Christmas music.
20 Facts About Jim Carrey’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas
Jim Carrey’s Grinch face pretty much earned him the role. As it turned out, that was the easiest part.