Mental Floss

MUSIC

Have you ever clicked on an exciting link or potentially explosive news story, only to find yourself watching the video for Rick Astley's 1987 hit 'Never Gonna Give You Up'? Then you’ve been rickrolled, my friend.

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In 1967, a student sent John Lennon a letter telling him his teacher was conducting a class analyzing the Beatles' songs. The letter served as the initial motivation for John to write a song that was beyond analysis.

Brian Wilson via Wikimedia Commons // Not Pictured: Thomas Pynchon (obviously)

The awkward evening seems straight out of a Pynchon novel.

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While we generally know a great deal about their most famous buildings, most people don’t know much about these 6 men behind the blueprints.

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'Garden State' became an instant indie hit when it was released on July 28, 2004—both with moviegoers and critics.

As the numbers show, you can always count on old standards.

Chopin plays in Berlin in 1829.

Warner Brothers relied on music to help pull off some of the funniest gags in cartoon history.

No purifying yourself in the waters of Lake Minnetonka required.

Motley Crue had something to do with it. But probably not for the reason you've heard.

Suzanne Vega's a cappella song has had a long life outside of that famous diner.

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Playing out of key may not be the most embarrassing thing a guitarist has to endure after all.

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Old fears that heavy metal affects kids' development were misplaced, according to a new study.

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The First Vienna Vegetable Orchestra (called Das erste Wiener Gemüseorchester in their native German) is an Austrian group that makes the instruments they use out of fresh vegetables.

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A group of UK climate researchers spent their free time compiling data on how musicians talk about the weather.

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Throughout the world, music is almost always a group event that bonds people.

President Richard Nixon with the cast of the musical 1776 after a performance in the East Room of the White House in 1970. Nixon lobbied to have the song "Cool, Considerate Men" removed from the show; he finally succeeded when a prominent campaign supporter of his produced the movie version and had the footage deleted.

The winner of three Tony Awards (including Best Musical), '1776' might be the most improbable hit in Broadway history.

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How Superman, summer vacation, and classical music created a portable music phenomenon that celebrates its 40th anniversary this month.

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A pair of studies shows human musicians make errors that form fractal patterns, which appeal to the listener.

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Even if you're not a Fanilow, you've almost certainly gotten some of Barry Manilow's handiwork stuck in your head.

YouTube / bratwurstspawnbaby

Rapping McNugget MCs, breakdancing Ronald, and tons more.

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Oscars and NBA championship rings can fetch high prices at auction.

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A little love for some great songs that never quite topped the chart.

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Lots of stuff is more dangerous than we realized. But some things people once considered dangerous aren't harmful at all.

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"You can dance! You can jive! Having the time of your liiiiiife!" (DO NOT ATTEMPT.)