Music

Oboe: construction, sound, history, repertoire and variants Oboe A concise encyclopedia overview of the oboe — its design, double-reed sound production, historical development, common uses in orchestras and chamber music, and related instruments…

Ocarina: the vessel flute — design, history and uses Ocarina A compact wind instrument with a closed resonating chamber. This article explains the ocarina’s design, sound production, cultural history, playing technique and musical uses.

Octave (music): definition, physics, tuning, and musical role Octave An octave is the interval between two notes with the same name an octave apart; it has a 2:1 frequency ratio, underpins musical tuning and harmony, and appears across many musical…

Octet: meanings in music, computing, chemistry, and poetry Octet An octet denotes a group or sequence of eight items. This article explains its uses in music ensembles, digital data (8 bits), chemistry's octet rule, poetic stanzas, and common di…

Octobass (octobasse) — the giant orchestral bass Octobass A rare, extremely large bowed string instrument developed in 19th-century France. With three strings and mechanical stopping devices, the octobass produces the lowest orchestral pi…

Of a Revolution (O.A.R.) — American rock band Of a Revolution Of a Revolution (O.A.R.) is an American rock band formed by college friends. Known for energetic live performances, a loyal college fanbase, and a blend of rock, folk and jam-band…

Oh! Susanna — Stephen Foster's 1848 minstrel song Oh! Susanna A popular mid-19th century American song by Stephen Foster, first published in 1848 and closely associated with the 1849 California Gold Rush; later adapted and contested for its m…

Ohio Is for Lovers — debut single by Hawthorne Heights Ohio Is for Lovers An overview of Hawthorne Heights' breakout single "Ohio Is for Lovers," its lyrics and reception, cultural impact within the emo scene, and related controversies and legacy.

Ohio Players American funk and R&B band from Dayton, Ohio, best known for 1970s hits like "Funky Worm", "Fire" and "Love Rollercoaster" and for their influential grooves and striking album art.

OK Go OK Go is an American rock band from Chicago noted for catchy songs and highly inventive, single-take music videos that became internet phenomena. Core members are Damian Kulash, Ti…

Old New Borrowed and Blue — Slade (1974 album) Old New Borrowed and Blue Old New Borrowed and Blue is the fourth studio album by English rock band Slade, released in 1974. Known for its mix of rockers and ballads, it reached No. 1 in the UK and was issu…

Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? (Metric album) Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? Old World Underground, Where Are You Now? is Metric's 2003 debut full-length album. It introduced the band's blend of post‑punk guitars, synthesizers and Emily Haines’s distinctive…

Old-school hip hop: the early recorded era of hip hop culture Old-school hip hop Early recorded hip hop from the late 1970s to the mid-1980s, known for party-oriented raps, DJ-centered production, and foundational artists who shaped later styles.

On My Level — song by Wiz Khalifa featuring Too $hort On My Level A track from Wiz Khalifa's 2011 album Rolling Papers featuring Too $hort, exploring nightlife, social status and cannabis culture with a darker, bass-led hip hop sound.

On the 6 — Jennifer Lopez's debut album On the 6 On the 6 is Jennifer Lopez's 1999 debut studio album. It marked her transition from acting to pop/R&B music, mixing Latin rhythms, dance and balladry and producing several hit sing…

On the Floor (Jennifer Lopez song) On the Floor A 2011 dance-pop single by Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull that samples Kaoma's 'Lambada'; major international hit, multi-platinum in the US, and notable for its high‑view music v…

Once Sent from the Golden Hall Debut full-length album by Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth, released February 10, 1998 by Metal Blade Records; noted for Viking themes, limited first pressings and a l…

One (U2 song) One is a rock ballad by Irish band U2 from Achtung Baby (1991), issued as a 1992 single and benefit release. Known for its themes of unity and breakups, it became a concert staple…

One Direction (1D): British–Irish pop group formed on The X Factor One Direction One Direction (1D) is a British–Irish pop boy band formed on The X Factor in 2010. Known for charting albums, global tours and solo careers, the group had five members and a major…

One Hot Minute (Red Hot Chili Peppers album) One Hot Minute One Hot Minute is the Red Hot Chili Peppers' sixth studio album, released in 1995. It features guitarist Dave Navarro, darker lyrical themes and a mixed critical and commercial res…

One More Minute: a style-parody song by "Weird Al" Yankovic One More Minute A mid-1980s comedic pastiche by "Weird Al" Yankovic that mimics doo-wop and Elvis-style ballads. An original song from the album Dare to Be Stupid that uses hyperbole and close har…

One More Night (Maroon 5 song) One More Night Overview of Maroon 5’s 2012 single “One More Night”: origins, style, credits, release and live debut, chart impact, and how it fits within the band’s fourth album Overexposed.

One More Time (Daft Punk song) One More Time A 2000 French house single by Daft Punk featuring Romanthony's processed vocals, known for its filtered disco sound and animated video featured in the film Interstella 5555.

One Night Only (song) One Night Only A signature song from the 1981 stage musical Dreamgirls by Henry Krieger and Tom Eyen, performed within the show as contrasting soul and disco versions to dramatize rivalry and cha…

One Step Closer (song) One Step Closer A 2000 nu‑metal single by Linkin Park from their debut album Hybrid Theory; aggressive guitar-driven track that became an early signature and was later remixed on Reanimation.

One Sweet Day — Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men duet One Sweet Day A 1995 pop-soul ballad by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men about grief and hope. Written and produced by Carey, Walter Afanasieff and Boyz II Men, it became a global hit and set a long…

OneRepublic — American pop rock band OneRepublic OneRepublic is an American pop rock band from Colorado known for hits like "Apologize" and "Counting Stars." Led by Ryan Tedder, they rose to mainstream success in the 2000s and ha…

Only Girl (In the World) — song by Rihanna Only Girl (In the World) Dance-pop single by Rihanna from her fifth album Loud (2010). Written by Stargate, Sandy Vee and others; praised for its production and chorus and winner of the 2011 Grammy for Bes…

Ooooooohhh... On the TLC Tip Debut studio album by American R&B/hip‑hop group TLC, released in 1992 on LaFace Records; blended R&B, hip hop and new jack swing and produced several early hits.

Opening act: role, types, history and significance in live performance Opening act An opening act (warm-up act) performs before a headliner to engage the audience, set the tone, and provide exposure for supporting performers across music, comedy, television and f…

Opera buffa: the Italian comic opera of the 18th century Opera buffa Opera buffa is the Italian genre of comic opera that emerged in the 18th century, notable for sung recitative, lively ensembles, social satire, and a development from short interme…

Opera seria: the 18th‑century tradition of serious Italian opera Opera seria Opera seria was the dominant serious Italian opera style of the 18th century, defined by recitative and da capo arias, classical subjects and star singers; later reshaped by Gluck,…

Operation Ground and Pound — DragonForce song from Inhuman Rampage Operation Ground and Pound A detailed overview of DragonForce's fast-paced power metal song "Operation Ground and Pound", its musical traits, video edit, composition, live role, and place within the band's c…

Opeth (Swedish progressive metal band) Opeth Opeth is a Swedish progressive metal band formed in 1990, notable for blending death metal and progressive rock, shifting between heavy and acoustic passages under singer-songwrite…

Opus number: definition, history, and how musical works are identified Opus number An opus number (abbreviated op.) labels a musical work to help identify and order a composer's pieces. This article explains its meaning, history, limits, cataloguing alternatives…

Oratorio: form, history, structure, and notable works Oratorio An oratorio is a large-scale vocal composition for choir, soloists and orchestra that tells a narrative—often sacred—developed from 17th-century church genres and expanded by Hande…

Orchestra: structure, history, repertoire, and common distinctions Orchestra Overview of orchestras: instrument families, sizes and types, historical development, roles such as conductor and concertmaster, repertoire and uses, organization, and contemporary…

Orchestration (music): craft, instruments, history, and techniques Orchestration Orchestration is the art and study of assigning musical ideas to instruments and ensembles. This article explains meanings, instrumental groups, history, learning methods, common t…

Ordinary Love (U2 song) A 2013 tribute song by U2 written for the Nelson Mandela biopic. Released ahead of Mandela's death, it earned major awards, charted internationally, and had a limited vinyl release…

Organ (musical instrument) Organ (music) Keyboard-based family of instruments producing sound via pipes, reeds or electronics; central to church liturgy, concert repertoire, theatre accompaniment and many modern genres.

Orgy (American alternative metal band) Orgy (band) Orgy is an American alternative/industrial metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1997, known for their synth-heavy sound and the hit cover of New Order's "Blue Monday."

Origin of Symmetry (Muse album) Origin of Symmetry Origin of Symmetry is Muse's second studio album, released in mid-2001. It broadened the band's sound with heavier guitars, piano and experimental arrangements, becoming a defining…

Origins of the Blues: Roots, Development, and Musical Characteristics Origins of the blues A concise examination of the blues’ gradual emergence, African and American roots, musical traits (call-and-response, blue notes, 12-bar form), regional development, and cultural l…

Orleans (American soft rock band) Orleans (band) Orleans is an American soft rock band that rose to mainstream popularity in the 1970s with hits such as "Dance with Me" and "Still the One" and continued performing with changing l…

Ornamentation in Music: Decorative Notes, Historical Practice, and Performance Ornamentation (music) Ornamentation adds decorative notes to a melody for expression and variety. This article explains common ornaments, historical development from Renaissance to Romantic eras, notati…

Ostinato: repeated musical patterns and their uses Ostinato An ostinato is a short melodic, harmonic or rhythmic pattern repeated persistently. This article explains types, history, examples, notation and how it differs from related devices…

Oud: the fretless pear‑shaped lute of the Middle East Oud The oud is a fretless, pear-shaped stringed instrument central to Middle Eastern, North African, Turkish and East African music. It enables microtonal expression and improvisation…

Oui, oui, oui, oui — 1959 French pop song by Jean Philippe Oui, oui, oui, oui French song performed by Jean Philippe in 1959, written by Pierre Cour and Hubert Giraud; France's entry at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Cannes. Released as single and EP th…