Mental Floss

MUSIC



Bob Dylan performs a concert at the Warfield in San Francisco, California, in 1979.

The phrase “ripped from the headlines” doesn’t just apply to 'Law & Order' episodes. Songwriters throughout the history of popular music have drawn inspiration from real-life tales of murder and mayhem.

Kenneth Partridge








Al Bello, Getty Images

From Indiana Jones to an Elvis-impersonating magician, the Super Bowl halftime show has featured some truly strange performers.

Michele Debczak




L to R: Depeche Mode members Martin Gore, Dave Gahan, Alan Wilder, and Andrew Fletcher in Berlin in July 1984.

Few bands inspire faith and devotion like Depeche Mode. Over a career spanning four decades, the boys from Basildon, England, have redefined what electronic music can look and sound like.

Kenneth Partridge






Leonard Cohen in London in June 1974.

In the 35 years since its release, Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" has been covered by more than 300 artists in a variety of genres and become a staple of TV singing shows. Not bad for a song that Cohen's own record label hated.

Kenneth Partridge




INXS's Michael Hutchence in Mystify: Michael Hutchence (2019).

Over the course of the 1980s, INXS went from fledgling Australian pub rockers to global superstars. Then tragedy struck when, in 1997, lead singer Michael Hutchence was found dead.

Kenneth Partridge