Music

La sonnambula: Bellini's pastoral bel canto opera La sonnambula La sonnambula is a two-act bel canto opera by Vincenzo Bellini (1831), with a libretto by Felice Romani based on Eugène Scribe's ballet-pantomime; famed for its sleepwalking tablea…

La Tracalera — song history and recordings La Tracalera Overview of the song "La Tracalera," its origins with Abraham Quintanilla Jr., recordings by Selena, album appearances, covers, musical character and cultural notes.

La traviata — Verdi's opera of love, society and sacrifice La traviata La traviata is Giuseppe Verdi's three-act Italian opera, based on Dumas fils' La dame aux camélias. Premiered in Venice in 1853, it remains a cornerstone of the operatic repertoire…

Lacuna Coil — Italian gothic metal band Lacuna Coil Italian gothic metal band formed in Milan in 1994, noted for dual male–female vocals, atmospheric melodic metal, international touring and a long-running influence on female-fronte…

Lady A (formerly Lady Antebellum): American country music trio Lady A Lady A is a Nashville-formed country music trio known for the hit 'Need You Now', multiple Grammy Awards, and a 2020 name change that prompted public debate and a legal dispute.

Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District An overview of Dmitri Shostakovich's opera based on Nikolai Leskov's novella: its source, music, plot outline, controversial reception in Soviet Russia and later rehabilitation.

Lady Marmalade A 1970s R&B/funk song first recorded by Labelle, known for its French chorus line and later high-profile covers, including the 2001 Moulin Rouge! version by Christina Aguilera and…

Laika & the Cosmonauts — Finnish instrumental surf rock pioneers Laika & the Cosmonauts Finnish instrumental band combining 1960s surf rock and rautalanka guitar traditions; admired by fellow musicians and known for a tight twin‑guitar sound and international cult fol…

Lakmé — French opera by Léo Delibes Lakmé Lakmé is a three-act French opera by Léo Delibes (1883), famous for the 'Flower Duet' and the coloratura 'Bell Song'; it remains a staple of the lyric repertoire and an example of…

Landser (band) — German neo‑Nazi Rock Against Communism group Landser (band) Landser was a German far‑right rock band associated with the Rock Against Communism movement; known for extremist lyrics and legal convictions that set a precedent under German law…

Larz-Kristerz: Swedish dansband from Älvdalen (formed 2001) Larz-Kristerz Larz-Kristerz is a Swedish dansband formed in Älvdalen in 2001, known for retro dance music, vintage instrumentation and winning Dansbandskampen in 2008; notable for chart success…

Las Reinas Del Pueblo Compilation album pairing Selena and Graciela Beltrán, issued weeks after Selena's 1995 murder; it collected Tejano and regional Mexican material and renewed attention on both arti…

Lasagna (song) — "Weird Al" Yankovic parody of La Bamba Lasagna (song) A 1988 novelty song by "Weird Al" Yankovic from the album Even Worse. A comedic parody of the Mexican folk tune "La Bamba" with lyrics celebrating Italian food and Yankovic's parod…

Last Christmas (Wham! song) Last Christmas A 1984 synth-pop Christmas song by Wham!, written and produced by George Michael. A seasonal staple about heartbreak and betrayal, widely covered and referenced in popular culture.

Latin music: origins, styles, and global influence Latin music Survey of Latin music: what defines it, its main instruments and genres, historical influences, regional varieties, and its cultural and global impact.

Latin pop Latin pop is a broadly popular music style rooted in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking cultures, blending danceable rhythms, melodic hooks, and pop production; it has global reach a…

Latin Pop Albums (Billboard chart) Latin Pop Albums Weekly Billboard chart that ranks the most popular Latin pop albums, based on sales and later expanded to include digital downloads and streaming equivalents; distinct from broader…

Latin rock: the fusion of Latin American rhythms and rock music Latin rock Latin rock blends rock instrumentation with Latin American and Caribbean rhythms, languages, and instruments. It spans English- and Spanish-language scenes and has evolved since th…

Lauri Porra — Finnish bass guitarist, composer and arranger Lauri Porra Lauri Porra (born 13 December 1977) is a Finnish bass player and composer known for work with Stratovarius and Sinergy and for blending classical composition with metal and orchest…

Lava Records Lava Records is an American record label founded by Jason Flom in 1995. It has operated as an imprint within major music groups and is currently part of Warner Music Group.

Lay Me Down (Sam Smith song) A piano-led ballad by Sam Smith from his debut album In the Lonely Hour, first released in 2013 and reissued in 2015; later recorded as a charity duet with John Legend.

Layla (Derek and the Dominos song) Layla Iconic two-part rock composition by Derek and the Dominos, written by Eric Clapton. Combines a storming guitar section with a long piano coda; inspired by unrequited love and the P…

Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs 1970 studio album by Derek and the Dominos, best known for the song “Layla”; a landmark blues-rock record featuring Eric Clapton and Duane Allman with enduring influence on rock gu…

Lead Guitar: Role, Techniques, History, and Styles Lead guitar An overview of lead guitar: its role in ensembles, common techniques and equipment, historical development, notable approaches and distinctions from rhythm guitar.

Lead single A lead single is the primary song released to promote an upcoming album. It is chosen to introduce the record’s tone, attract media and radio attention, and stimulate sales and str…

Learning Music by Ear: Methods, History, and Practice Learning music by ear An overview of learning music by ear—what it is, how it works, historical roots, practical exercises, and its role in musical development and different traditions.

Leathermouth (American hardcore punk band) Leathermouth Leathermouth is an American hardcore punk band formed in 2007 as a side project by My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero; they released their debut album XO in January 2009.

Leave a Mark (John Michael Montgomery album) Leave a Mark Leave a Mark is the fifth studio album by American country singer John Michael Montgomery, released May 5, 1998. It combines contemporary country ballads and up-tempo tracks and wa…

Leave Me Alone (Michael Jackson song) Leave Me Alone A single from Michael Jackson's 1987 album Bad. The song defends privacy against tabloid speculation; its surreal music video won the 1990 Grammy for Best Short Form Music Video an…

Led Zeppelin — English rock band and cultural influence Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin were an English rock band formed in 1968, noted for pioneering hard rock and heavy metal by blending blues, folk and psychedelia. Core members: Jimmy Page, Robert Plan…

Led Zeppelin (1969 album) Led Zeppelin (album) Debut studio album by English rock band Led Zeppelin, released 12 January 1969. A landmark recording that blended blues, folk and rock and helped define hard rock and early heavy m…

Led Zeppelin II — 1969 album by Led Zeppelin Led Zeppelin II Second studio album by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released October 1969. Known for 'Whole Lotta Love', blues roots, studio experimentation and influence on hard rock and h…

Led Zeppelin IV (untitled fourth studio album) Led Zeppelin IV Led Zeppelin IV, released in 1971, is the untitled fourth album by Led Zeppelin, famed for its mix of hard rock, folk and blues and for containing the classic "Stairway to Heaven."

Ledger line (musical notation) Ledger line Short lines drawn above or below a staff to notate pitches outside the five-line staff; used with clef changes, octave signs, and readability conventions in scores and parts.

Leftover Salmon Leftover Salmon is an American band from Boulder, Colorado, known for blending bluegrass, rock, Cajun and jam-band improvisation into a style often called "polyethnic Cajun slamgra…

Legacy of Blood (album) Legacy of Blood Legacy of Blood is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group Jedi Mind Tricks, released in 2004. Produced by Stoupe, it is known for dark, sample-driven beats and grim, lit…

Legacy of Kings — HammerFall album (1998) Legacy of Kings Legacy of Kings is the second studio album by Swedish power metal band HammerFall, released 28 September 1998. It consolidated their traditional heavy metal revival sound and helpe…

Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra Historic German symphony orchestra based in Leipzig, named for the Gewandhaus concert hall; renowned for classical and romantic repertoire, premieres, international tours and a lon…

Leitmotif: musical theme that identifies characters, ideas and objects Leitmotif A leitmotif is a short, recurring musical idea associated with a person, thing, emotion or concept. Used in opera, symphonic music, film and games, it creates unity, recognition an…

Lemme See — song by Usher featuring Rick Ross Lemme See “Lemme See” is a 2012 single by Usher from the album Looking 4 Myself, featuring Rick Ross. The R&B/hip-hop track blends electronic and soul influences and was promoted with a June…

Lennon–McCartney: the songwriting partnership behind many Beatles classics Lennon–McCartney The Lennon–McCartney songwriting partnership of John Lennon and Paul McCartney produced around 180 credited songs for the Beatles and other artists and reshaped popular music in th…

Les contes d'Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann) — Offenbach's opera Les contes d'Hoffmann Encyclopedic account of Offenbach's Les contes d'Hoffmann: its story, structure, musical highlights, versions, and performance and editorial practice.

Les nuits d'été (Summer Nights) — song cycle by Hector Berlioz Les nuits d'été Les nuits d'été, Op. 7, is a six-song cycle by Hector Berlioz set to poems by Théophile Gautier. Composed in 1841 and later orchestrated, it is a landmark of 19th‑century French ar…

Les premières années — Celine Dion: The Early Years (Compilation) Les premières années Compilation of Celine Dion's early French-language recordings, collecting debut singles and selections from her first albums; highlights formative songs, collaborators and the sing…

Les Six — a French group of early 20th‑century composers Les Six Les Six were six young French composers grouped around 1920 who reacted against Romantic and Impressionist trends, favoring clarity, brevity, and popular influences; they later dev…

Less Than Jake American ska punk band formed in Gainesville, Florida, known for energetic live shows, horn-driven arrangements, and influential albums in the 1990s–2000s ska revival.

Let It Rock (Kevin Rudolf song) Debut single by Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne: a rock–rap crossover from the album In the City that became Rudolf's mainstream breakthrough and was used by WWE for the 2009 Roya…

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Mid‑20th‑century popular song written by Sammy Cahn and Jule Styne (1945). A winter standard often played at Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s despite lyrics that never name a…