Mental Floss

MUSIC HISTORY

David Bowie in 1999.

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.”

Jon O'Brien




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

Kenneth Partridge


Rob Pilatus and Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli.

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.

Jon O'Brien


Vice President Charles Dawes.

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.

Stacy Conradt
Leonard Cohen, Chelsea Hotel, Phoebe Bridgers.

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

Ellen Gutoskey




Chris Kelly and Chris Smith of Kris Kross.

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.

Kenneth Partridge




Smokey Robinson, Dolly Parton, and Bruce Springsteen.

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?

Jennifer M Wood, Ellen Gutoskey

Taylor Swift is just the latest in a long line of musicians who like to employ a “fade-out,” where the song gets gradually quieter in the closing seconds.

Kenneth Partridge