MUSIC

Who said disco sucks? A lot of people, apparently. / Image Source: McHugh via Getty

Wild Misconceptions About the 1970s

Were the '70s really the height of disco, punk, and the sexual revolution? Host Justin Dodd investigates in this episode of “Misconceptions."

12 Memorable Facts About ‘The Jon Stewart Show’

On October 25, 1993, late-night viewers caught a glimpse of the future of talk television when ‘The Jon Stewart Show’ premiered on MTV.

Damon Wayans and Jim Carrey in 'In Living Color.'

When ‘In Living Color’ Faced Off Against the Super Bowl Halftime Show—and Won

In the 1990s, Super Bowl halftime shows were lame. Fox decided what people needed was Jim Carrey setting himself on fire.

The Beatles arrive to hundreds of adoring fans.

Watch The Beatles Arrive in New York City for the First Time in 1964

Not even John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, or Ringo Starr could imagine the fandom that awaited them when they headed to the U.S. for the first time.

How Nelson Mandela Helped Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car” Become a Hit

Tracy Chapman’s 1988 classic “Fast Car” might never have risen to the near top of the charts if it wasn't for a technical mishap.

She's probably spent the last 20 minutes listening to the same fuzzy song on a loop.

Why Hold Music Is So Annoying

There are some psychological reasons why being put on hold is such a frustrating experience.

Diana Ross in 1982, Katy Perry in 2015, and Jennifer Lopez in 2018.

35 Famous Musicians Who Have Never Won a Grammy

Who hasn't won a Grammy? Jennifer Lopez, Nicki Minaj, and dozens of other beloved artists.

A scene from “The Greatest Night in Pop”

The Greatest Night in Pop: 10 Facts About the Making of “We Are the World”

In the ’80s, pop music decided to take on the world’s problems. There was Band Aid, Live Aid, Farm Aid, and of course, USA for Africa's “We Are the World.”

The Long, Contentious History of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U”

The winding tale of “Nothing Compares 2 U” begins in 1984, when Prince wrote the song, and continues through to 2021, when Sinead O’Connor declared it “my song.”

Mark Mothersbaugh performs with Devo at the Whiskey A Go Go in 1979.

Why Devo's Mark Mothersbaugh Turned Down the Chance to Play Doc Brown in ‘Back to the Future’

Mark Mothersbaugh—frontman for Devo, the band behind the 1980 mega-hit “Whip It”—could have also played a role in one of the biggest movies of the '80s.

1999 in Review: 25 Songs Everyone Was Listening to 25 Years Ago

From TLC's “No Scrubs” to Limp Bizkit's “Nookie,” 1999 was both a good year for pop music and a weird one.

Arenas and stadiums have some key differences.

What’s the Difference Between an Arena and a Stadium?

Seating capacity is just one part of it.

Elton John at the 92nd Annual Academy Awards.

All 19 Members of the EGOT Winners' Circle (and 17 Almost-EGOTs)

On January 15, 2024, Elton John won his first Emmy—and officially became a new member of the EGOT winner's circle.

Top 10 Decade Defining Dance Moves of the 1990s

Watch These Dance Moves That Defined the ’90s

From the Humpty Dance to the Macarena, these moves were mainstays of ’90s dance floors.

14 Austin Slang Terms You Should Know

You may know Austin, Texas, as the Live Musical Capital of the World that’s devoted to keepin’ itself weird—but you might not be familiar with the city’s many slang terms.

Rihanna, David Bowie, and Bjork have all had their names mispronounced—frequently.

14 Musician and Band Names You've Probably Been Mispronouncing All Along

From pronouncing the name of one of the Beastie Boys to how to say “Sade” correctly, here are a few tips for your tongue.

Bessie Coleman, David Bowie, and Martin Luther King Jr. all have January birthdays.

10 Famous Birthdays to Celebrate in January

Some of our favorite figures from history, literature, music, pop culture, and more were born in the first month of the year. Do you share a birthday with one of these famous folks?

‘The Carol Singers,’ a 1927 print by D.M. Wheeler.

15 Vintage Christmas Songs to Get You in the Holiday Spirit

These obscure Christmas songs from the early 20th century might become your new favorite carols.

15 Alternative Lyrics From Old Versions of “The Twelve Days of Christmas”

Liven up your singing of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" by subbing in these old—and occasionally strange—lyrics.

George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley are coming for you this Christmas (and "Last Christmas").

A Brief History of Whamageddon—the Game that Forces You to Avoid Hearing Wham!’s “Last Christmas”

“Last Christmas” is now the centerpiece of a growing holiday tradition based around ... not listening to it.

Not the Same: How Creative Strife Led to the Creation of U2’s “One”

U2 was at a breaking point when “One,” which has been repeatedly named one of the greatest songs of all time, brought the band back together.

Bob Geldof (L) and Midge Ure (R) outside a London recording studio while working on "Do They Know It's Christmas?" on November 25, 1984.

Band Aid: The Charitable—and Controversial—History of “Do They Know It's Christmas?”

Band Aid's charity song "Do They Know It's Christmas?" enlisted everyone from Sting to Bananarama, but its efforts to help the Ethiopian famine didn't go exactly as planned.

Margaret O'Brien and Judy Garland in 'Meet Me in St. Louis' (1944).

How “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” Went From Morbid Omen to Holiday Mainstay

The original “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” implied that you’d never have a merry Christmas again.

David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in 'The X-Files.'

The Truth Is Out There: The 25-Year Mystery of a Song From ’The X-Files’ Has Been Solved

For 25 years, a segment of 'The X-Files' fans have been wondering about the creative origins of a country song that played in the background of a scene in season 6. Finally, they have their answer.

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