MUSIC HISTORY

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.

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.

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.

You know a Christmas song when you hear one.

Why Christmas Music Sounds So Distinct

Sleigh bells certainly help make Christmas music sound so Christmassy. But it’s a little more complicated than just that.

The “Evil” Album Prince Withdrew Days Before Its Release

It wasn’t just the cover of the Purple One’s shelved 1987 LP ‘The Black Album’ where things got dark.

Julie Andrews in 'The Sound of Music' (1965).

How “My Favorite Things” Became an Unlikely Christmas Classic

How many of the “favorite things” are Christmas-coded? We counted.

’Tis the season to learn about your favorite Christmas songs.

The Origins of 10 Popular Christmas Songs

You’ve sung them while clutching cups of hot cocoa. You’ve heard them played in shopping malls. But do you know how some of the world’s best-known Christmas carols were created?

11 Fascinating Facts About The Velvet Underground

To rock snobs, art-school students, and dads everywhere, the Velvet Underground are the cornerstone of rock and roll. Here are 11 facts on their background and influence.

1984 Cable Music Channel "It's live it's 24 hours a day" TV Commercial

How MTV’s First Rival Became Cable TV’s Biggest Flop

With the Cable Music Channel, Ted Turner tried to take on MTV and failed—but somehow still managed to win.

How David Bowie Helped Pave the Way For the Download Age

The groundbreaking artist made history in 1999 with his album ‘Hours’ when he sold it as an internet download before it hit stores: “Mark my words … we are not going back to record companies and through shops.”

The Real History of the Folk Song ‘Kumbaya’

From a heartfelt spiritual, to a children’s campfire song, to a powerful protest anthem, to a derisive phrase, “Kumbaya” is certainly a bit of a musical chameleon.

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.

Madonna’s May 2024 concert at Copacabana Beach was one of the largest in the world.

The 10 Biggest Concerts in History

Rod Stewart, Madonna, and the Rolling Stones had some of the largest concert crowds in history.

20 Albums Turning 50 in 2024

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

Rob Pilatus and Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli.

10 Hit Songs That Weren’t What They Seemed

From Milli Vanilli’s “Girl, You Know It’s True” to Technotronic’s “Pump Up the Jam,” these songs all made it to the Billboard Hot 100—and they all had something to hide.

The Vice President Who Wrote a Hit Song

Long before he was Calvin Coolidge’s vice president, Charles Dawes wrote an instrumental piece called “Melody in A Major” that later became a #1 hit.

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.

Leonard Cohen, Chelsea Hotel, Phoebe Bridgers.

9 Memorable Songs About the Chelsea Hotel

From Leonard Cohen’s “Chelsea Hotel #2” to Jesse Jo Stark’s “Chelsea Hotel,” these songs capture the mythos of the inimitable Hotel Chelsea.

These two shared even more in common than you might have thought.

6 Famous Guitarists Who Lost Their Instruments (And Sometimes Got Them Back)

Some, like Paul McCartney’s Höfner 500/1 violin bass, have since been recovered, but the whereabouts of other famous guitars—like Eric Clapton’s “Beano ‘Burst”—remain a mystery.

The Maniac Next Door: The Surprisingly Bizarre Origins of Michael Sembello’s Pop Hit From ‘Flashdance’

Michael Sembello’s synth-driven hit song from ‘Flashdance’ is rumored to have been inspired by William Lustig's 1980 slasher classic, ‘Maniac.’ But as it turns out, the true story is even weirder.

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.

Smokey Robinson, Dolly Parton, and Bruce Springsteen.

The Strange Origins of 25 Popular Songs

You’ve hummed along to them in the car, belted them out in the shower, and performed them on karaoke night. But do you really know what the lyrics to even some of your favorite songs are talking about?

8 Bands Named After People Not In The Band

Behind the bands Pink Floyd, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Hootie & the Blowfish were their less-famous namesakes.