Kenneth Partridge

Joined: Jul 4, 2016

Kenneth Partridge is a music and pop-culture writer based in Brooklyn. He's written for such publications as Billboard, The AV Club, Pitchfork, and Refinery29. His hobbies include reading, running, shopping for records, and attempting to justify his love of ska.

Bruce Springsteen performing during the ‘Born In The U.S.A.’ tour in 1984.

“Born In the U.S.A.”: How Bruce Springsteen’s Anti-Vietnam Anthem Got Lost In Translation

Bruce Springsteen, Joni Mitchell, and Marvin Gaye all wrote songs about the Vietnam War.

17 Songs About the Vietnam War

20 Albums Turning 50 in 2025

Rupert Holmes played piano on “Timothy,” a song he wrote about cannibalism.

When the Guy Behind “Escape (The Piña Colada Song)” Wrote a Song About Cannibalism

Paul McCartney is simply having a "Wonderful Christmastime" ... but are you?

Why People Hate Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime,“ According to a Musicologist

Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime“ is both a song people love to hate and a song people love to love. Musicologist Nate Sloan has some ideas as to why the song is so polarizing.

Elmo & Patsy - Grandma Got Run over by a Reindeer

How “Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer” Became a Holiday Staple

The song embraced a darker, more humorous side of the holiday. Plus, the singer knew how to hustle.

The Complicated, Controversial History of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

Each December, "Baby, It’s Cold Outside"—a ’40s-era American standard that some modern listeners hear as a depiction of sexual misconduct—invites a barrage of controversies, radio bans, and think pieces.

10 Surprising Facts About Wham!’s “Last Christmas”

Over the course of his illustrious career, George Michael gave the world many gifts. One that keeps on giving is “Last Christmas,” the 1984 holiday classic by Wham!, Michael's pop duo with Andrew Ridgeley.

The Wild Ride of “Dominick the Donkey”—the Holiday Earworm You Love to Hate

“Dominick The Donkey,” Lou Monte's 1960 holiday earworm, is a novelty song even by Christmas music standards.

Concept albums are alive and well in the 21st century.

A History of Concept Albums In 15 Albums

Some people love the concept album—and some love to hate them. But chances are you’ve listened to songs from one or two of them in your life.

The 10 Highest Grossing Tours of All Time

The list includes some veteran rockers, a couple of pop superstars, and two very powerful women whose influence transcends music.

20 Albums Turning 50 in 2024

Everything from ‘Jolene’ to ‘Waterloo’ is hitting the big 5-0 in 2024. Give ’em a spin.

How James Blunt’s “You're Beautiful” Became the Most Misunderstood—and Hated—Song of the 2000s

British singer-songwriter James Blunt has never been able to escape his signature song, the 2004 smash “You’re Beautiful,” a misunderstood ballad that masks a much darker meaning.

MC Skat Kat and Paula Abdul on tour in 2017.

The Nine Lives of MC Skat Kat, Paula Abdul’s Co-Star in “Opposites Attract”

The animated rapping cat helped propel “Opposite’s Attract” to No. 1 on the Billboard charts in 1990—and he still occasionally pops up in some surprising places.

Chris Kelly and Chris Smith of Kris Kross.

When Kriss Kross Launched a Backward Clothing Trend

Featuring rappers Chris “Mac Daddy” Kelly and Chris “Daddy Mac” Smith, Kris Kross rose to international fame with their infectious 1992 debut single, “Jump.” The duo rocked mega-baggy jeans, baseball caps, and oversized sports jerseys—all worn backward.

Cult of Musicality: How Living Colour Defied Expectations and Defined Hard Rock in the ‘80s

How Living Colour fought their way to the top of the charts—and is still going strong.