Cranes (British dream pop band) Cranes (band) Cranes are an English dream pop band formed in Portsmouth in 1985, known for Alison Shaw's high, childlike vocals, atmospheric guitar textures and a catalogue spanning from early E…
Crass — pioneering anarcho-punk collective Crass Crass was an influential English anarcho-punk collective formed in 1977 in Essex. Known for a confrontational DIY ethic, radical politics, distinctive visuals and independent relea…
Crazy in Love (Beyoncé song) Crazy in Love Overview, composition, release and legacy of Beyoncé's 2003 single 'Crazy in Love', its musical features, chart impact, and role in establishing her solo career.
Cream (band) Cream were a late-1960s British rock power trio — Eric Clapton, Jack Bruce and Ginger Baker — known for virtuoso blues-rock, extended improvisation, influential recordings and a br…
Creed (American rock band) Creed (band) Creed, formed in Tallahassee, Florida, was a commercially successful post-grunge rock band of the late 1990s and 2000s, known for hits like "Higher" and "With Arms Wide Open."
Creedence Clearwater Revival American rock band from California, active late 1960s–early 1970s, known for a rootsy 'swamp rock' sound and hit singles such as "Proud Mary" and "Fortunate Son"; Rock Hall inducte…
Crime of the Century (album) Crime of the Century Crime of the Century is Supertramp's third studio album, released in September 1974; a critical breakthrough produced by Ken Scott that established the band's signature sound and i…
Cross Canadian Ragweed Cross Canadian Ragweed was an American rock band from Yukon, Oklahoma, active 1994–2010, known for blending country, southern rock and alternative influences into high-energy live…
Crossover (music): When songs and artists span multiple genres Crossover (music) Crossover in music describes works or performers that appeal to, or chart in, more than one genre audience — a phenomenon with artistic, commercial and cultural dimensions.
Crossover thrash Crossover thrash is a high-energy hybrid of thrash metal and hardcore punk, combining fast tempos, aggressive riffing, and concise song structures that emerged from 1980s undergrou…
Crotchet (Quarter Note): notation, value, and uses Crotchet The crotchet, or quarter note, equals one quarter of a whole note. Explains its notation, stem rules, relations to other notes, role in time signatures, history, and practical uses…
Crowded House: overview of the band, history and notable work Crowded House Crowded House is an Australasian rock band led by Neil Finn, known for melodic pop-rock, international hits like "Don't Dream It's Over" and a career spanning formation in 1985, br…
Cruel Summer — Bananarama song, history and legacy Cruel Summer An overview of 'Cruel Summer', the 1980s pop song by Bananarama: origins, musical character, release history, critical reception, soundtrack use and notable covers including Ace of…
Crunk: the high-energy Southern hip hop subgenre Crunk Crunk is a high-energy Southern hip hop style that emerged in the 1990s. Known for heavy bass, shouted vocals and chants, it peaked in the 2000s and influenced later Southern style…
Crunk and B: Fusion of Crunk Production with Contemporary R&B Vocals Crunk&B Overview of Crunk & B, a mid-2000s hybrid that blends crunk's heavy, club-ready beats with contemporary R&B vocals, detailing origins, production traits, notable tracks and lasting…
Crushcrushcrush (Paramore song) Crushcrushcrush “Crushcrushcrush” is a rock single by American band Paramore from their 2007 album RIOT!, known for its driving guitars, spy-themed video, and presence in rhythm-game downloads.
Crystal Castles: overview of the experimental electronic duo Crystal Castles Crystal Castles, formed in Toronto, is an influential experimental electronic duo known for abrasive synths, lo-fi production and three self-titled albums released in 2008, 2010 an…
Cuban music: origins, styles, instruments and global influence Cuban music Survey of Cuban music: its African and European roots, characteristic rhythms and instruments, major genres and dances, historical development and worldwide cultural influence.
Culture Club (British pop band) Culture Club Culture Club is a British pop group formed in 1981, known for blending new wave, soul and reggae influences. Led by Boy George, they achieved international hits in the 1980s and re…
Cumbia: origins, characteristics, and cultural influence Cumbia music Cumbia is a rhythmic music and dance tradition that originated on Colombia's Caribbean coast and spread across Latin America, spawning regional styles and modern fusions.
Cure for Pain (Morphine album) Cure for Pain Cure for Pain is the second studio album by Morphine, released in 1993 on Rykodisc. Noted for its low-rock trio sound and dark, jazzy songs, it contains widely heard tracks used in…
Cursive (band) — American indie rock from Omaha Cursive (band) Cursive is an American indie rock band formed in Omaha, Nebraska in 1995, led by singer‑songwriter Tim Kasher. Known for concept albums, dramatic arrangements and ties to the Saddl…
Curt Haagers — Swedish dansband and popular dance music ensemble Curt Haagers Curt Haagers was a Swedish dansband known for dance-oriented pop and schlager repertoire, active across the later 20th century and part of Sweden’s social dance tradition.
Curve — album by Our Lady Peace Curve (album) Curve is the eighth studio album by Canadian alternative rock band Our Lady Peace, released April 3, 2012. The cover features boxer George Chuvalo and the album debuted at number n…
Cymbal: construction, types, playing techniques and musical roles Cymbal Comprehensive overview of cymbals: materials, manufacturing, types, playing techniques, roles in ensembles, selection and maintenance for orchestral, jazz, marching and drum-kit co…
D major (musical key) D major D major is a major key with two sharps, known for its bright, open sonority. It is favoured by string players and baroque trumpet writing and appears frequently in symphonies, conc…
D minor (musical key and scale) D minor Overview of the D minor key: its scale, notation, harmonic variants, common chords, historical associations, and notable works in classical repertoire.
D-flat major D-flat major is a musical key with five flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭). It is enharmonic to C♯ major and frequently used for its rich, warm sonority in piano and orchestral music.
D-flat minor (theoretical musical key) D-flat minor D-flat minor is a theoretical minor key based on D♭, rarely used in notation and typically represented enharmonically as C♯ minor because its written key signature requires many fl…
D-sharp minor D-sharp minor is a minor key written with six sharps; its notation, enharmonic relationships, and practical use have made it uncommon in orchestral writing but important in keyboar…
D12 (The Dirty Dozen) — Detroit hip hop collective D12 D12, or The Dirty Dozen, is a Detroit rap collective formed in the mid-1990s. Known for dark humor, alter egos, and collaborations with Eminem, the group released Devil's Night and…
Dafli (Daf) — a South Asian handheld frame drum Dafli The dafli (or daf) is a simple handheld frame drum common in South Asian folk and devotional music. Portable and easy to learn, it accompanies festivals, songs, dances and street p…
Daft Punk: career, style, and cultural impact Daft Punk Daft Punk were a French electronic music duo known for pioneering dance sounds, robotic personas, landmark albums and influential live shows; active primarily 1993–2021.
Damageplan: formation, music, and legacy of the post-Pantera metal band Damageplan Damageplan was a short-lived American heavy metal band formed by former Pantera members in 2003, known for the 2004 album New Found Power and the onstage murder of guitarist Dimeba…
Damita Jo — Janet Jackson's 2004 studio album Damita Jo Damita Jo is the eighth studio album by Janet Jackson, released in 2004. It emphasizes intimate, danceable R&B and funk influences, and its promotion was affected by the Super Bowl…
Dance Again — Jennifer Lopez (song) Dance Again 2012 dance-pop single by Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull, produced by RedOne. Lead release from the greatest-hits collection Dance Again... the Hits; notable for global chart succ…
Dance Me to the End of Love — song by Leonard Cohen Dance Me to the End of Love A 1984 Leonard Cohen song that blends waltz rhythm, stark imagery and tender devotion. Inspired by wartime stories, widely covered and frequently performed across genres; often cal…
Dance music: history, characteristics, and modern forms Dance music An overview of dance music: origins, historical development, musical features, cultural roles, and modern electronic and popular forms from medieval dances to EDM.
Dance of Death (Iron Maiden album) Dance of Death (album) Dance of Death is the thirteenth studio album by English heavy metal band Iron Maiden, released in September 2003; noted for its theatrical themes, classic lineup and the subsequen…
Dance with Me (Zoli Ádok song) Upbeat English-language dance-pop single by Hungarian performer Zoli Ádok, selected to represent Hungary at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow; noted for choreography-drive…
Dance-pop Dance-pop is an upbeat form of popular music blending catchy pop songwriting with danceable production, originating in the early 1980s and remaining influential in mainstream pop.
Dance-punk: the post‑punk fusion of punk energy and dance rhythms Dance-punk Dance-punk (disco-punk, punk-funk) blends post‑punk attitude with danceable grooves. Emerging in late 1970s New York, it resurged in the 2000s and influenced indie dance and club c…
Dance, Dance (Fall Out Boy song) “Dance, Dance” is the second single from Fall Out Boy’s third album, noted for its punchy pop‑punk sound, prominent bassline and status as one of the band’s signature radio hits in…
Dancehall: Jamaican Popular Music, Rhythm, and Culture Dancehall Dancehall is a Jamaican popular-music style that grew from reggae in the late 1970s, known for its rhythmic riddims, deejay toasting, and strong ties to sound-system and club cultu…
Dancing Machine (The Jackson 5 song) Dancing Machine 1973/74 hit single by The Jackson 5 — a funk/disco dance track that reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, topped R&B charts, helped popularize the robot dance and received a Grammy…
Dancing Queen — ABBA's signature 1970s pop-disco anthem Dancing Queen 1975 song recorded by ABBA, released as a 1976 single from the album Arrival; worldwide hit, ABBA's only US No. 1, widely covered and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2015.
Dangerous (Michael Jackson album) Dangerous is Michael Jackson's eighth studio album, released in 1991. It marked his emergence as primary producer, blended new jack swing, pop and R&B, and produced multiple global…
Dangerous Woman (Ariana Grande album) Dangerous Woman Dangerous Woman is Ariana Grande's third studio album, released May 20, 2016. It blends pop and R&B, features several high-profile guests, spawned multiple singles, and shaped Gran…
