MUSIC

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.

The Final Days of John Lennon

Shortly before 11 p.m. on Monday, December 8, 1980, John Lennon was gunned down in front of his New York City apartment building by an obsessed fan. This is the story of the days leading up to that tragedy.

The Royal Ballet's Steven McRae and Roberta Marquez as the Prince and the Sugar Plum Fairy in 2012.

8 Magical Facts About ‘The Nutcracker’

Peek behind the curtains of ‘The Nutcracker,’ Tchaikovsky’s famous Yuletide ballet.

Now’s a good time—so good, so good, so good—to dig into the rich history of “Sweet Caroline.”

Unraveling the Many Mysteries of Neil Diamond’s ’Sweet Caroline’

Now’s a good time—so good, so good, so good—to dig into the rich history of Neil Diamond's iconic tune.

What Is the Longest Song Ever Recorded?

The Guinness World Record holder for longest song ever is based on a 16th-century Indian poem.

Make “Believe“: How Cher Staged One of Pop Music’s All-Time Greatest Comebacks

In 1998, Cher reinvented herself yet again—and forever changed the way hit songs were made—with “Believe.“

Forget about trying to nab any of these records.

8 World Records Too Dangerous for Guinness

The world's longest saxophone note is too risky to attempt. So is the world's longest kiss.

Watching Blobs of Paint Move to Chopin Is Oddly Soothing

This digital art piece from Thomas Blanchard set to Chopin’s Nocturne Op. ,9 No. 2 is oddly soothing.

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