Bob Dylan's first national TV appearance came in March of 1963 on a program called "Folk Songs, and More Folk Songs!" He performed three songs, including "Man of Constant Sorrow," a folk tune from circa 1913, originally recorded by the partially blind fiddler Dick Burnett. Burnett, interviewed late in life, couldn't remember whether he had written the tune, saying: "No, I think I got that ballad from somebody. I dunno. It may be my song." Wikipedia comments on the uncertainty around the song's... READ ON

The Beach Boys recorded "Wouldn't It Be Nice" as the opening track on their landmark album "Pet Sounds." It's my favorite Beach Boys song, but I never knew how insanely complex Brian Wilson's arrangement was: the recording includes two accordionists, two drummers, three bassists, three guitarists, four horn players, two pianists, and at least four singers. The main riff of the song is formed by the twin accordions (working together with a lovely walking bassline), though I would've been hard-pressed to... READ ON

HBO's Game of Thrones has an iconic credits sequence, featuring a theme song composed by Ramin Djawadi. It's weirdly catchy and hummable -- and it's an easy geek test to hum this and see if other people pick up on it. I've collected ten cover versions of the song for your geeky enjoyment. Bundle up: winter is coming. 1. Floppy Drives Eight floppy drives playing in sync. The geekery is extreme. If you like this, check out Phantom of the Floppera. 2. Violin A beautiful... READ ON

REUTERS/PETR JOSEK/LANDOV Music is a splendid thing. It can cheer you up when you're sad, make you dance like a fool, and allow you to drown out the world when you need to. But music has its scientific uses, too. The new documentary Alive Inside details how dementia patients react positively when given iPods filled with their old favorite songs. The music seems to help them "come alive" again. While listening to familiar songs, many of the documentary's patients can sing along, answer questions about... READ ON