Music

Our Lady Peace (Canadian alternative rock band) Our Lady Peace Our Lady Peace is a Canadian alternative rock band formed in Toronto in 1992, known for Raine Maida's distinctive vocals, 1990s chart success, and a catalog spanning both alt-rock…

Out of the Woods (song) A synth-pop single from Taylor Swift's 1989, co-written with Jack Antonoff and produced with Max Martin. Noted for its urgent production, themes of anxiety in relationships, and a…

Outkast: American hip hop duo that reshaped Southern rap Outkast Outkast, the Atlanta duo of André 3000 and Big Boi, blended Southern hip hop with eclectic influences across seven studio albums, producing chart-topping singles and winning multip…

Outlaws (American Southern rock band) Outlaws (band) American Southern rock and country rock band formed in 1972, known for twin-guitar sound, rich vocal harmonies and hits like "There Goes Another Love Song" and "Green Grass and Hig…

Over and Over — Nelly featuring Tim McGraw Over and Over A concise encyclopedia entry on 'Over and Over', the 2004 cross-genre single by Nelly featuring Tim McGraw: background, composition, release, chart performance and legacy.

Over My Head (Cable Car) — debut single by The Fray Over My Head (Cable Car) A piano-driven pop-rock single by Denver band The Fray, released September 2005 from the album How to Save a Life. Known for its emotive vocals, personal lyrics and role in the ban…

Overdubbing — adding recorded sounds to an existing performance Overdubbing Overdubbing is a multitrack recording technique used to layer additional sounds—vocals, instruments, or effects—onto a previously recorded performance in music production and audio…

Overkill (American thrash metal band) Overkill American thrash metal band formed in 1980 in New Jersey, noted for a relentless, riff-driven sound, decades-long career, and influential albums including The Years of Decay.

Overture: musical opening, development, forms, and notable examples Overture An overture is an orchestral opening to an opera, ballet, or concert work. This article explains its purpose, structure, historical development, main types and well-known examples.

Owl City Owl City is the electronic/synth-pop recording project of American musician Adam Young, best known for the 2010 hit "Fireflies" and collaborations such as "Good Time."

P.M. Dawn American musical group known for blending hip hop, R&B and pop with introspective, melodic production. Formed in Jersey City in the late 1980s, best known for the hit “Set Adrift o…

Pablo Honey (Radiohead album) Pablo Honey Debut studio album by English alternative rock band Radiohead, released April 1993. Features the breakout single "Creep"; reached No. 22 on UK charts and was reissued in 2009 with…

Pachelbel's Canon (Canon in D) — overview, structure and influence Pachelbel's Canon An encyclopedia entry on Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D: its original scoring, repeating bass and canon form, common harmonic pattern, history of rediscovery, and its wide use in pe…

Paean: ancient song of thanksgiving, healing, and praise Paean A paean is a song or expression of thanksgiving, triumph, healing, or praise, originating in ancient Greece and later used broadly in literature, ritual, and music.

Pagan metal: origins, characteristics and regional styles Pagan metal Pagan metal is a heavy metal subgenre combining extreme metal sounds with pre-Christian myth, folklore and folk instrumentation. It blends black/folk influences and varies by regio…

Pagliacci — Leoncavallo's verismo opera Pagliacci Pagliacci is a short two-act verismo opera by Ruggero Leoncavallo, premiered in Milan in 1892. Famous for the aria "Vesti la giubba," it remains a staple of the operatic repertory…

Painkiller (Judas Priest album) Painkiller is the twelfth studio album by British heavy metal band Judas Priest, released 3 September 1990. Known for a faster, heavier sound, it introduced drummer Scott Travis an…

Pakistani rock: origins, style, languages and cultural impact Pakistani rock Pakistani rock blends Western rock forms with local musical traditions. This article outlines its sound, instruments, linguistic diversity, history, social role and distinguishing…

Pan flute (panpipe): history, design, and uses Pan flute A free-reedless wind instrument consisting of multiple tubes of graduated length. Discusses construction, cultural variants, historical development, playing techniques, and modern…

Panic! at the Disco American pop-rock act from Las Vegas led by Brendon Urie, known for theatrical arrangements, hit singles like "I Write Sins Not Tragedies" and evolving lineup and styles across alt…

Pantera (American heavy metal band) Pantera Pantera was an influential American metal band from Arlington, Texas, known for pioneering groove metal in the 1990s and for albums such as Cowboys from Hell and Vulgar Display of…

Panzerchrist — Danish blackened death metal band Panzerchrist Panzerchrist is a Danish blackened death metal band formed in 1993–1994 by Michael Enevoldsen and artist Lasse Hoile, noted for aggressive death metal rooted in black metal atmosph…

Papa Don't Preach (Madonna song) Papa Don't Preach 1986 pop single by Madonna from True Blue about a young woman's pregnancy and decision; reached No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and provoked public debate about abortion and family d…

Papa Roach American rock band formed in Vacaville, California in 1993, known for the breakthrough single "Last Resort" and for evolving from nu‑metal beginnings into a durable alternative roc…

Paparazzi (Lady Gaga song) Paparazzi (song) A 2009 electropop single from Lady Gaga's debut album The Fame that examines fame and media obsession; notable for its cinematic music video and international chart success.

Paramore (American rock band) Paramore Paramore is an American alternative rock band formed in Franklin, Tennessee in 2004, known for energetic pop‑punk roots, later stylistic shifts, and several successful albums inclu…

Paris 1919 (John Cale album) Paris 1919 Paris 1919 is the third solo studio album by John Cale, released in March 1973. Noted for its chamber-pop arrangements, literary lyrics and historical allusions, it is considered a…

Parliament (band) American funk and soul collective led by George Clinton, best known for the P‑Funk sound, theatrical stagecraft, and influential 1970s albums that shaped funk, rock, and hip‑hop sa…

Parody mass: Renaissance technique of reworking existing music for the Mass Parody mass A parody mass is a polyphonic Mass setting that reuses musical material from other works. Popular in the 16th-century Renaissance, it adapts multiple voices of chansons or motets i…

Part (music) A musical part is an independent line of music performed or sung by an individual or group. This article explains definition, notation, vocal and instrumental roles, polyphony, his…

Part of Me (Katy Perry song) Part of Me 2012 pop single by Katy Perry from the re-release Teenage Dream: The Complete Confection; an assertive breakup anthem that topped charts worldwide and prompted media discussion abo…

Partsong: unaccompanied multi-voice songs and their history Partsong A partsong is an unaccompanied composition for two or more vocal parts (commonly SATB), typically secular and short; popular in English tradition and revived in the 19th century.

Party People (Nelly featuring Fergie) Party People 2008 lead single from Nelly's album Brass Knuckles, a pop‑rap party anthem featuring Fergie that charted across North America, Europe and Oceania.

Party Rock (debut album by LMFAO) Party Rock Party Rock is the 2009 debut studio album by American electro hop duo LMFAO, noted for its party-oriented dance sound, early singles and a Grammy nomination for Best Electronic/Dan…

Party Rock Anthem A 2011 dance-pop single by LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett that became an international chart-topping hit and popularized the shuffle dance in mainstream pop culture.

Paso doble: the Spanish-inspired march, music, and ballroom dance Paso doble Paso doble is a dramatic Spanish-derived march and partner dance that evokes the bullfight. It appears as music in bullrings and as a stylized ballroom and stage dance emphasizing…

Pass the Dutchie 1982 reggae-pop single by British group Musical Youth, adapted from The Mighty Diamonds' 'Pass the Kouchie'. A global hit that topped the UK Singles Chart and brought reggae into m…

Passion cantata: musical settings of Christ’s suffering and death Passion cantata A Passion cantata is a vocal composition that sets the events and reflections on Jesus Christ’s Passion to music. It developed in Christian liturgy and flourished in the Baroque er…

Paul & Paula — American pop duo (Ray Hildebrand & Jill Jackson) Paul & Paula Paul & Paula were an early 1960s American pop/rock duo, Ray Hildebrand and Jill Jackson, best known for their 1963 hit “Hey Paula” and three Billboard Top 40 singles that year.

Paul Hindemith — German composer, violist, teacher and theorist Paul Hindemith Paul Hindemith (1895–1963), influential 20th-century German composer and violist. Known for contrapuntal craft, neoclassical works, important teaching career and the theoretical wo…

Paul Revere & the Raiders: American 1960s rock and pop band Paul Revere & the Raiders Overview of Paul Revere & the Raiders, a Northwest U.S. rock group formed in 1960, their members, sound, TV exposure, hit songs, and lasting influence on 1960s pop and garage rock.

Pavement (American indie rock band) Pavement (band) Pavement was an influential American indie rock band from California active mainly in the 1990s, known for its lo-fi sound, witty lyrics, and impact on alternative music.

Payphone (song) “Payphone” is a 2012 single by Maroon 5 featuring Wiz Khalifa. A pop‑rock pop single about breakups and regret, it led the band’s Overexposed album and became one of their major in…

PBR&B (Alternative R&B): Origins, Sound, and Influence PBR&B PBR&B, or alternative R&B, mixes traditional R&B with hip hop, indie and electronic sounds. Coined online in the late 2000s–early 2010s, it describes artists who reinvent R&B produ…

Peace Sells — Megadeth song and cultural impact Peace Sells “Peace Sells” is a 1986 song by Megadeth from the album Peace Sells... but Who’s Buying?. Written by Dave Mustaine, it became a concert staple and is noted for its social commentar…

Pearl Jam: Overview, History, Music, Members and Legacy Pearl Jam Pearl Jam is an American rock band from Seattle formed in 1990. This article outlines their origins, key albums, lineup changes, musical style, activism, and lasting influence on a…

Pecados y Milagros — Lila Downs (2011 album) Pecados y Milagros Pecados y Milagros is the seventh studio album by Mexican singer Lila Downs, released in 2011. A blend of folk, pop and regional styles, it produced several singles, a world tour,…

Pedal (music) A pedal is a foot-operated control found on many musical instruments. Pedals modify sound, sustain notes, change pitch or add effects, and exist as mechanical and electronic device…