MUSIC

Classical music seems to have a reputation for being straight-laced, stuffy, and obsessed with rules. But over the centuries, hundreds of composers have tested the boundaries of musical expression in strange and unique ways. Here are ten prime examples.

In this week's episode of mental_floss on YouTube, The Gregory Brothers stop by to share a little music history.

There are some Christmas songs that don't get a lot of attention because they're dark, even by non-holiday song standards.

Peter Jackson's latest J.R.R. Tolkein-based film, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug hits theaters today. But Tolkein's books haven't just inspired films. Here's a look back at a few Hobbit- and Lord of the Rings-inspired musical moments.

John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr are remembered for their instrumental roles in launching the British invasion and bringing the aesthetic of rock and roll to new frontiers with everything from electronic effects to sitars.

If you’re the type of artist that cares more about the art than the money and fame, then hiding your identity is the best way to keep your audience’s attention on the art rather than the superficial. Here are 11 stories behind masked bands.

Sometimes it helps to get away.

Could it be true? That the summer’s biggest hit is not really a Robin Thicke original? There's controversy brewing over “Blurred Lines.”

Here's a tip of the cap to seven speed demon songwriters who whipped up some of their biggest hits in a matter of hours.

You know how you occasionally hear an awesome turn of phrase and immediately think, “That would make the best band name? These people did the same thing, but the difference between us and them is that they actually went on to name a band.

Every anthem has a story—not just of its nation's history, but of itself and how it came to be.