Music

Chuck (Sum 41 album) Chuck (album) Third studio album by Canadian rock band Sum 41, released October 12, 2004. Marked a heavier sound and darker lyrical themes; singles included "We're All to Blame" and "Pieces."

Chumbawamba: a concise history of the British alternative band Chumbawamba Chumbawamba were an English alternative group formed in 1982, known for anarchist politics and shifting styles from punk and folk to pop; they reached mainstream success with the 1…

Church music: history, forms, and role in Christian worship Church music Music written or selected to support Christian worship and devotion, from chant and hymns to masses and modern services, used in liturgy, concerts, and community practice.

Church of Anthrax Church of Anthrax is a 1971 collaborative studio album by John Cale and Terry Riley blending avant‑garde minimalism with rock instrumentation, released on Columbia Records.

Cigarettes & Alcohol (Oasis song) Cigarettes & Alcohol A 1994 rock single by English band Oasis from their debut album Definitely Maybe; riff-driven, charting in the UK and noted for its raw, working-class themes and later plagiarism c…

Cinematic Sunrise — American pop-punk/alternative rock project Cinematic Sunrise Short-lived American pop-punk/alternative rock side project led by Craig Owens and Bradley Bell, noted for the 2008 EP A Coloring Storybook and Long Playing Record packaged with a…

Cinquillo: the syncopated Afro‑Latin rhythmic cell Cinquillo Cinquillo is a five‑note syncopated rhythmic figure central to Afro‑Latin music. Found in Cuban habanera and danzón and in Argentine tango, it shapes accents, dance phrasing and po…

Circa Survive: American progressive post-hardcore band from Philadelphia Circa Survive Circa Survive is a Philadelphia-based rock band formed in 2004, noted for Anthony Green's vocals, layered guitars, art-driven album design, and acclaimed records including On Letti…

Circle of fifths A concise encyclopedia entry explaining the circle of fifths: its structure, musical meaning, uses in harmony and key relationships, historical background, and practical notes for…

“Circle of Life” — song from The Lion King Circle of Life An overview of the song “Circle of Life”: its creation for Disney’s The Lion King, musical and lyrical features, Zulu opening, role in the film and stage show, reception, and notab…

Circus (Britney Spears song) Pop single by Britney Spears from her 2008 album Circus. Released Dec 2, 2008, it reached No. 3 on the US Hot 100, sold millions of downloads worldwide, and centers on performance…

Clannad — Irish band blending traditional Gaelic music and ambient pop Clannad Clannad are a family band from Gweedore, County Donegal, known for blending Irish-language folk with ambient and pop elements. Active since the early 1970s, they influenced Celtic…

Clapper (percussion instrument) Clapper (musical instrument) A clapper is a simple percussion device made of two pieces struck together; found worldwide in many forms, materials, and musical or theatrical roles.

Clara Schumann: Pianist, Composer, and 19th‑Century Musical Leader Clara Schumann Comprehensive overview of Clara Schumann (1819–1896): her life, training, career as a pianist and teacher, compositions, marriage to Robert Schumann, and lasting influence on perfo…

Clarinet: design, types, history, technique, and uses Clarinet A single‑reed woodwind with a cylindrical bore, the clarinet appears across classical, jazz, band and chamber music. This article explains its parts, registers, systems, instrument…

Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622 (Mozart) Clarinet Concerto (Mozart) Mozart's Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622 (1791), written for Anton Stadler and originally for basset clarinet, is a cornerstone of the clarinet repertoire, notable for its lyr…

Classic female blues (1920s American blues singers) Classic female blues A concise overview of the classic female blues tradition of the 1920s: its sound, themes, key performers, commercial context and lasting influence on American music.

Classical crossover A musical category where classical techniques, repertoire or instruments meet popular styles; includes operatic pop, orchestral pop arrangements and modern reworkings of classical…

Classical guitar Nylon‑strung, fingerstyle acoustic guitar used for Western classical repertoire; noted for its wide neck, flat fingerboard, fan bracing and warm, intimate tone.

Classical music: overview, history, forms and cultural significance Classical music An accessible overview of classical music: definition, periods, forms, performance, and how it differs from popular and folk traditions.

Classical period (music) European art music style circa 1750–1820 marked by clarity, balanced forms (sonata, symphony, string quartet), homophony, and major figures such as Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Sc…

Claude Debussy French composer (1862–1918) influential for his innovations in harmony, orchestration and piano writing; often associated with Impressionism and known for works like Prélude à l'ap…

Claves: the paired wooden percussion sticks of Afro‑Cuban music Claves Claves are a pair of short, dense wooden sticks used as a handheld percussion instrument. They produce a sharp, penetrating click and are central to many Afro‑Cuban styles and Lati…

Clavichord: the intimate keyboard instrument Clavichord A small stringed keyboard instrument widely used from the Renaissance through the Classical era, valued for expressive touch, quiet tone, and its role in practice and composition.

Clean Bandit: British electronic group blending classical and pop Clean Bandit Clean Bandit is a British electronic group formed in Cambridge in 2008, known for fusing classical strings with dance production and hit collaborations such as "Rather Be" and "Roc…

Cleanin' Out My Closet (Eminem song) Cleanin' Out My Closet A confessional rap from Eminem's 2002 album The Eminem Show that confronts his family history, public backlash and personal anger; noted for its blunt lyrics and lasting cultural i…

Clef (musical notation) Clef A clef is a musical symbol placed on a staff to fix the pitch of written notes. This article explains types of clefs, their function, history, and common uses in notation.

The Cleveland Orchestra Cleveland Orchestra A leading American symphony orchestra founded in 1918, resident at Severance Hall, known for high orchestral standards, international touring, recordings and annual summer performa…

Clocks (Coldplay song) Clocks (song) “Clocks” is a 2002 piano-driven song by Coldplay from A Rush of Blood to the Head, known for its repeating arpeggiated piano motif, broad critical acclaim and a Grammy Award.

Clumsy (Our Lady Peace album) Clumsy (album) Clumsy is the second studio album by Canadian rock band Our Lady Peace, released in 1997. Produced by Arnold Lanni, it became a major commercial and cultural milestone in Canadian…

CNBLUE (South Korean rock band) CNBLUE CNBLUE is a South Korean rock band formed in Seoul in 2009, known for blending rock and pop, strong songwriting, active touring in Korea and Japan, and members' solo and acting wor…

Cobra Starship (American dance-pop band) Cobra Starship Cobra Starship was a New York–formed dance-pop/alternative dance band (2005–2015), best known for the singles “Snakes on a Plane (Bring It)” and “Good Girls Go Bad.”

Cockney Rejects Cockney Rejects are an English punk band formed in London's East End in 1979, linked to the Oi! movement and known for chant-driven, working‑class anthems and energetic live perfor…

Cocteau Twins: Scottish pioneers of ethereal dream pop Cocteau Twins Cocteau Twins were a Scottish alternative band (1979–1997) known for Elizabeth Fraser's vocal style, lush guitar textures, and influential albums on the 4AD label such as Garlands…

Coda (Led Zeppelin album) Coda is a posthumous compilation by Led Zeppelin, issued after the band's breakup. It gathers unreleased studio outtakes and fragments recorded across their career, closing their o…

Coheed and Cambria — American progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria Coheed and Cambria are an American rock band known for progressive, concept-driven albums that tell the science-fiction saga The Amory Wars across multiple studio releases and mult…

Cold as Ice — Foreigner song (1977) Cold as Ice (Foreigner song) Encyclopedic article on Foreigner's 1977 single "Cold as Ice": its composition, release, chart performance, legacy, notable samples, covers and media uses.

Cold War Kids: American indie rock band from Long Beach Cold War Kids Overview of Cold War Kids: origins, members, musical style, key albums and career highlights, notable songs, and influence in indie rock.

Coldplay: history, members, music and cultural impact Coldplay Comprehensive overview of English rock band Coldplay: formation, core members, major albums and singles, musical style, live performances, awards and public influence.

Coldplay discography and release history Coldplay discography A concise encyclopedia overview of Coldplay's recorded output: studio albums, live and compilation releases, EPs, singles, videos, and the artistic evolution behind the catalogue.

Cole Porter: American composer and songwriter Cole Porter Cole Porter (1891–1964) was an American composer and lyricist known for sophisticated melodies, witty lyrics, and enduring songs from Broadway and Hollywood musicals.

Color Me Badd: American R&B and Pop Vocal Group Color Me Badd Overview of Color Me Badd, an American R&B/pop/new jack swing vocal group from Oklahoma City, their sound, members, breakthrough with C.M.B., career highlights and legacy.

Coloratura: vocal ornamentation, technique, and repertoire Coloratura Coloratura denotes florid, highly ornamented singing featuring rapid runs, trills, and leaps. Used across voice types, it is central to baroque and bel canto repertoire and require…

Colors of the Wind — song from Disney's Pocahontas (1995) Colors of the Wind Overview of the song 'Colors of the Wind' from Disney's Pocahontas (1995): creation, lyrics, recordings, awards, reception and cultural legacy.

Colour the World — song by Sash! featuring Dr. Alban Colour the World 1999 Eurodance single by German DJ group Sash! featuring Swedish-Nigerian singer Dr. Alban, released from the album Life Goes On; notable for club play and late‑1990s dance product…

Come Away with Me — Norah Jones's 2002 debut and its impact Come Away with Me Overview of Norah Jones's debut album Come Away with Me (2002): style, production, reception, sales, awards, and its lasting influence on jazz-influenced popular music.

Come Back to Me (Janet Jackson song) 1989 slow-tempo ballad by Janet Jackson from Rhythm Nation 1814, produced with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis; a romantic single that peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100.

Come On Over (Shania Twain album) Come On Over is Shania Twain's 1997 album that blended country and pop, becoming the best-selling album by a female country artist and spawning numerous international hit singles.