Music

Der Freischütz — Carl Maria von Weber's landmark German Romantic opera Der Freischütz Der Freischütz (The Marksman) is Carl Maria von Weber's three-act opera (libretto by Friedrich Kind), premiered 1821. A defining work of German Romantic opera notable for its folk…

Derek and the Dominos Short-lived English-American blues-rock group led by Eric Clapton, best known for the 1970 album Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs and the seminal song "Layla."

Desensitized (Drowning Pool album) Second studio album by American alternative metal band Drowning Pool, recorded after the death of original vocalist Dave Williams; first and only record with Jason 'Gong' Jones, de…

Despacito — 2017 global hit by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee Despacito Despacito is a 2017 Spanish-language song by Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee. A worldwide streaming and chart phenomenon, its music video broke viewing records and helped popular…

Deșteaptă-te, române! — Romania's national anthem and history Deşteaptă-te, române! Deșteaptă-te, române! ('Wake up, Romanians!') is Romania's national anthem. Written in 1848 as a revolutionary song, adopted officially after 1989 and earlier used in Moldovan poli…

Destiny's Child: overview, members, career, and legacy Destiny's Child A concise, neutral summary of Destiny's Child — formation, members, musical style, major milestones, commercial success, and cultural impact.

Destiny's Child discography: albums, singles, and legacy Destiny's Child discography A concise guide to Destiny's Child's recorded output: studio albums, hit singles, compilations and video releases, chart impact, sales estimates, and how the group's discography re…

Destroyer (Kiss album) Destroyer (album) Destroyer is the fourth studio album by American rock band Kiss, released in March 1976. Produced by Bob Ezrin, it marked a more produced sound and yielded enduring songs such as "…

Destruction (German thrash metal band) Destruction (band) Destruction is a pioneering German thrash metal band from Lörrach, formed in 1982. Known for fast riffing, aggressive vocals and influential 1980s albums, they are often grouped wi…

dEUS — Belgian alternative rock band from Antwerp Deus (band) dEUS (stylized dEUS) is an influential Belgian alternative/art-rock band from Antwerp, noted for eclectic songwriting, adventurous arrangements, a dynamic live reputation and core…

Deutschlandlied: history, structure, and role of Germany’s national song Deutschlandlied The Deutschlandlied (Song of the Germans) is a 19th‑century poem set to Haydn’s melody; since 1952 only its third stanza — ‘Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit’ — has been used as Ger…

Devo: American New Wave Band and Multimedia Art Collective Devo Devo is an American new wave pop band and art project originating in Ohio, known for satirical concepts, synth-driven music, the hit “Whip It,” and an influential role in late 1970…

Diabolus in Musica (Slayer album) Diabolus in Musica Diabolus in Musica is Slayer's seventh studio album, released in 1998. Noted for its down-tuned, experimental approach and controversial lyrics, it marked a divisive shift in the b…

Diatonic scale A seven-note musical scale built from five whole steps and two half steps per octave; foundation of Western melody and harmony, forming major, natural minor and the seven church mo…

Dick Hyman: American Jazz Pianist, Keyboardist and Composer Dick Hyman Biography and overview of Dick Hyman (born 1927), an American jazz pianist, keyboardist and composer known for mastery of historic piano styles, wide-ranging recordings, and film a…

Dick in a Box (SNL song) Dick in a Box A 2006 comedic R&B parody by The Lonely Island featuring Justin Timberlake; premiered as an SNL Digital Short and became a viral, award-winning sketch noted for its satire and cult…

Didgeridoo: Traditional Australian Wind Instrument and Cultural Role Didgeridoo The didgeridoo is an Australian Aboriginal wind instrument known for its long hollow tube, continuous drone, and cultural significance. This article covers construction, history, p…

Dido and Aeneas A short English Baroque opera by Henry Purcell with a libretto by Nahum Tate, based on Virgil's Aeneid; celebrated for its dramatic mixture of tragedy and comic witchcraft and for…

Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio) Die Entführung aus dem Serail Mozart's 1782 German Singspiel about Belmonte's attempt to rescue Konstanze from a Pasha's seraglio. Noted for its spoken dialogue, 'Turkish' orchestral color and the virtuoso aria…

Die Fledermaus — operetta by Johann Strauss II Die Fledermaus Die Fledermaus is a three-act German operetta by Johann Strauss II (1874), celebrated for its waltzes, comic plot of mistaken identity, and a long-standing New Year's Eve tradition…

Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg: Wagner’s Civic Comedy and Musical Pageant Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Richard Wagner’s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg (1868) is his only comic opera: a three‑act work set in 16th‑century Nuremberg that examines tradition, craft and artistic innovatio…

Die Toten Hosen — German punk band from Düsseldorf Die Toten Hosen Die Toten Hosen are a long-running German punk rock band formed in Düsseldorf in 1982, known for energetic live shows, German-language songs, international fans and a major role in…

Die Walküre — Wagner’s Second Drama in the Ring Cycle Die Walküre Die Walküre, the second opera of Richard Wagner’s Ring cycle, is a three-act music drama known for its human drama, leitmotifs and the famous “Ride of the Valkyries.” Premiered in…

Dig a Pony (song by the Beatles) Dig a Pony A late-period Beatles song mainly written by John Lennon, recorded during the Get Back sessions and released on the Let It Be album; noted for its informal groove and playful, enig…

Dig It (Beatles song) A short, improvised track by The Beatles from the Let It Be sessions, credited to all four members and presented on the album as a fragment of a longer jam.

Dilemma (song) — Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland Dilemma (song) 2002 single from Nelly's Nellyville featuring Kelly Rowland; a melodic interpolation of a Patti LaBelle ballad, major crossover hit that boosted Rowland's solo profile and won indu…

Dimmu Borgir Norwegian symphonic black metal band formed in 1993, known for orchestral arrangements, theatrical presentation, a shift from Norwegian to English lyrics, and landmark chart succes…

Dir en grey — Japanese rock band known for genre-defying metal and visual impact Dir en grey Dir en grey is a Japanese rock band formed in 1997, noted for intense live shows, diverse vocal techniques, changing visual style, and influence on visual kei and international met…

Dire Straits: British rock band formed in 1977 led by Mark Knopfler Dire Straits Dire Straits, formed in Newcastle in 1977 and led by Mark Knopfler, were a British rock band known for spare guitar work and storytelling songs; their bestselling album Brothers in…

Dirty Dancer (Enrique Iglesias song featuring Usher) Dirty Dancer A dance-oriented 2010 collaboration by Enrique Iglesias and Usher, released on Iglesias's Euphoria and included on Usher's Versus EP; known for its club-ready production and cross-…

Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap — AC/DC studio album Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap 1976 studio album by Australian hard rock band AC/DC, noted for its raw guitar-driven sound, memorable title track and staggered international release (Europe 1976, US 1981).

Dirty Diana — Michael Jackson song Dirty Diana A rock-infused single from Michael Jackson's 1987 album Bad, released in April 1988. Known for its guitar-driven sound, its subject of groupies, and a No. 1 placement on the US cha…

Dirty rap (porn rap, explicit hip hop) Dirty rap Dirty rap is a hip hop substyle defined by explicit sexual lyrics and themes. It has roots in club music and Southern styles, has prompted censorship debates, and includes artists…

Disc jockey (DJ): role, equipment, history and modern practice Disc jockey An overview of the disc jockey (DJ): what DJs do, common equipment and techniques, historical development, contexts of performance, and distinctions between DJing and music product…

Discipline (Janet Jackson album) Discipline is the tenth studio album by American recording artist Janet Jackson, released February 26, 2008 on Island Records. A contemporary R&B/dance-pop record that received mix…

Disclosure (English electronic music duo) Disclosure (band) Disclosure are an English electronic music duo of brothers Howard and Guy Lawrence from Reigate. Known for blending UK garage and house, they rose to fame with Settle (2013) and hi…

Disco: Origins, Sound, Culture, and Legacy Disco Disco is a dance-oriented music genre that rose to prominence in 1970s club scenes. This article explains its musical traits, cultural roots, peak years, backlash, and lasting infl…

Discography: the cataloguing and study of recorded music Discography Discography is the systematic listing and study of sound recordings — by artist, label, genre or session — used by collectors, researchers and music professionals for reference and…

Dissection (band) Dissection was a Swedish extreme metal band formed in 1989, led by Jon Nödtveidt. They blended melodic black and death metal across three studio albums and remained influential in…

Disturbed (American rock band) Disturbed Disturbed is an American rock band formed in Chicago in the mid‑1990s, known for heavy, melodic songs, strong commercial success and signature tracks such as "Down with the Sicknes…

Divertimento (musical form) Divertimento Divertimento: a light, social musical genre popular in the 18th century, typically multi-movement and scored for small ensembles; later composers occasionally used the title for mo…

Dizi — Chinese transverse bamboo flute Dizi (instrument) The dizi is a traditional Chinese transverse flute made mainly from bamboo, notable for its bright, resonant tone produced by a membrane. It appears in folk, opera and modern orche…

DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love 2010 dance-pop single by Usher featuring Pitbull; produced by Max Martin and released as the lead single from the Versus EP. A club-oriented hit that helped define pop dance radio…

DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince American hip hop duo formed in 1985 combining Will Smith's storytelling raps with Jeff Townes's turntable skills; known for family-friendly hits, early Grammy recognition, and a ma…

Djembe (West African hand drum) Djembe A goblet-shaped hand drum from West Africa, the djembe is carved from hardwood and covered with animal skin. It is central to West African music, ensembles, and contemporary drum c…

Dmitri Kabalevsky — Russian composer and advocate for children's music Dmitri Kabalevsky Dmitri Kabalevsky (1904–1987) was a Russian Soviet composer noted for piano and pedagogical works for children, as well as concertos and larger orchestral pieces. He promoted music…

Dmitri Shostakovich: life, music, and legacy Dmitri Shostakovich Overview of Dmitri Shostakovich (1906–1975), the Russian‑Soviet composer whose symphonies, quartets and theatrical scores shaped 20th‑century music and provoked debate about art un…

Do As Infinity — Japanese pop rock band Do As Infinity Do As Infinity (often D.A.I.) is a Japanese pop/rock group formed in 1999, known for melodic songs, anime tie-ins and a brief disbandment in 2005 before reuniting in 2008.