Pressure (Paramore song) “Pressure” is the lead single from Paramore’s debut album All We Know Is Falling. A high-energy pop-punk track written by Hayley Williams and Josh Farro that helped define the band…
Pretty Vacant — song by the Sex Pistols Pretty Vacant 1977 single by the English punk band the Sex Pistols, noted for its blunt sound, sneering vocal delivery and a controversial pronunciation of the title; B‑side is a spontaneous cov…
Pretty. Odd. — Panic! at the Disco's 2008 stylistic shift Pretty. Odd. Pretty. Odd. is Panic! at the Disco's second studio album, released March 25, 2008. It marks a major stylistic departure from their debut, embracing baroque pop and 1960s-inspired…
Problem (song) — Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea Problem (song) 2014 pop single by Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea. An uptempo pop/R&B track from the album My Everything, noted for its sax-influenced hook, commercial success and multi-plati…
Professional Griefers — deadmau5 featuring Gerard Way Professional Griefers A detailed overview of the 2012 electronic rock single "Professional Griefers" by deadmau5 featuring Gerard Way, covering its creation, release, performances and cultural impact.
Program music Instrumental music that seeks to depict a scene, narrative, idea or extra-musical concept through sounds, prominent in the Romantic era and still influential in film and modern orc…
Progressive bluegrass: evolution, features, and influence Progressive bluegrass Progressive bluegrass (or newgrass) is a modern offshoot of bluegrass combining traditional string-band roots with wider instrumentation, jazz/rock influences, extended improvisati…
Progressive metal (prog metal) Progressive metal Progressive metal combines heavy metal intensity with the compositional complexity of progressive rock, emphasizing long forms, technical instrumental work, diverse influences (jaz…
Progressive rock Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock noted for extended forms, complex rhythms and structures, instrumental virtuosity, and blending of classical, jazz and experimental influence…
Promenade concerts: history and evolution of public strolling concerts in Britain Promenade concert Promenade concerts began as informal, pay-to-enter music events in London's leisure gardens and evolved into the formal BBC Proms. This article traces origins, venues, repertoire,…
Promise — Romeo Santos featuring Usher: 2011 Latin pop single Promise (song) Promise — Romeo Santos featuring Usher, a 2011 Latin pop single from Formula, Vol. 1 written by Rico Love. A cross-genre duet blending Santos's Latin sound and Usher's R&B, release…
Promotional recording A promotional recording (promo) is a free audio or video release distributed to media and industry contacts to generate exposure, airplay, reviews and interest before or alongside…
Protest song A protest song is music that expresses dissent or calls for social or political change, used across genres from folk and gospel to rock and hip‑hop and tied to movements like civil…
Protopunk: Musical roots and influence on punk rock Protopunk Protopunk refers to a range of mid-20th-century musicians and styles that anticipated punk rock’s sound, attitude, and DIY ethos. It covers origins, key traits, notable artists, an…
Psychedelic music: styles, history, and cultural influence Psychedelic music Overview of psychedelic music: defining features, historical origins in the 1960s, principal subgenres (rock, folk, pop, soul, electronic), production and performance techniques, a…
Psychedelic pop Psychedelic pop is a 1960s pop-oriented offshoot of psychedelia that blends catchy melodies with studio experimentation, orchestral touches, and surreal lyrical themes.
Psycho Circus (Kiss album) Psycho Circus Psycho Circus is the eighteenth studio album by American rock band Kiss, released September 22, 1998. It features a circus-inspired concept, the title single, and accompanied the g…
Psychobilly: a fusion of punk and rockabilly music and culture Psychobilly Psychobilly is a high-energy hybrid of punk rock and rockabilly, noted for upright slap-bass, fast tempos, horror and retro imagery, and a three-piece band format that blends vinta…
Psychopathic Records Independent record label founded by Insane Clown Posse and Alex Abbiss in Michigan; known for horrorcore releases, the Hatchetman logo, the Juggalo subculture and the Gathering fes…
Psychosocial (song) “Psychosocial” is a heavy metal single by Slipknot from their 2008 album All Hope Is Gone, known for its riff-driven sound, aggressive rhythm and prominent place in the band's live…
Pub rock (UK): a mid‑1970s back‑to‑basics live music movement Pub rock (UK) British pub rock was a short-lived mid‑1970s movement that restored live, small‑venue rock with a stripped-down style and paved the way for punk's emergence.
Puddle of Mudd (American rock band) Puddle of Mudd American post-grunge rock band from Kansas City, Missouri, fronted by Wes Scantlin; rose to mainstream success in the early 2000s with hits from the album Come Clean and has underg…
Puffy AmiYumi Japanese pop duo formed in the 1990s, known for catchy pop-rock music, energetic live shows and the animated series Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi that broadened their international profile.
Pulp (English rock band) Pulp (band) Pulp are an English rock band from Sheffield, formed in 1978 and led by Jarvis Cocker; they rose to prominence in the 1990s with albums such as His 'n' Hers and Different Class.
Pulse (live album by Pink Floyd) Pulse (album) Pulse is a live album by Pink Floyd released May 29, 1995, documenting performances from the band's 1994 tour and notable for a complete live rendition of The Dark Side of the Moon…
Pump Up the Valuum Pump Up the Valuum is the eighth studio album by American punk band NOFX, released June 13, 2000. Produced by Ryan Greene and Fat Mike, its title is a deliberate misspelling refere…
Punch Brothers (American progressive bluegrass ensemble) Punch Brothers Punch Brothers are an American progressive bluegrass band led by mandolinist Chris Thile, known for virtuosic acoustic playing, compositional ambition, and a blend of traditional a…
Punk blues — the fusion of punk rock and blues-rock Punk blues Punk blues blends the raw energy of punk with blues-rock structures. Underground and often lo-fi, it retools blues riffs and themes through punk's speed, attitude, and DIY culture.
Punk rock: an overview of the music, culture, and influence Punk rock Punk rock is a fast, stripped-down form of rock music and a global subculture known for DIY ethics, political edge, distinctive fashion, and influence on many later genres.
Purple Rain (song) Title track from Prince's 1984 film and album; a pop–rock ballad with gospel influences, noted for its extended guitar solo, chart success, and role in Prince's breakthrough and fi…
Push the Button (The Chemical Brothers album) Push the Button Push the Button is the fifth studio album by British electronica duo The Chemical Brothers, released in 2005. It mixes big‑beat electronics with guest vocals and produced the hit '…
The Pussycat Dolls: origins, music, and cultural impact Pussycat Dolls An overview of the Pussycat Dolls, from their burlesque beginnings to pop success, membership, major releases, business ventures, controversies, and legacy.
Puttin' On the Ritz A popular American song by Irving Berlin (written 1927, published 1929) that became a standard in popular music and saw notable revivals including Taco's 1981 hit version.
Pyramids (song) — Frank Ocean's multi-part R&B epic Pyramids (song) “Pyramids” is a nearly ten-minute track by Frank Ocean from Channel Orange that mixes R&B and electronic elements, telling a layered story that connects ancient imagery with a mode…
Qaumī Tarāna — Pakistan's National Anthem Qaumī Tarāna Overview, history, lyrics language and use of the Qaumī Tarāna, the national anthem of Pakistan written by Hafeez Jullundhri with music composed after independence.
Qawwali: Sufi devotional music of South Asia Qawwali Qawwali is a Sufi devotional music tradition from South Asia, known for its call-and-response singing, harmonium and percussion, shrine settings and global performers such as Nusra…
Quadrille: the four‑couple sequence dance of the 18th and 19th centuries Quadrille Quadrille is a historic sequence dance for four couples arranged in a square, popularized in 18th‑century France and 19th‑century England and a precursor to American square dancing…
Quartet A quartet is a group of four, most commonly a musical ensemble. This article explains definitions, typical instrumentations, historical development, common types, and why quartets…
Quatuor pour la fin du temps (Quartet for the End of Time) Quatour pour la fin du temps A landmark chamber work by Olivier Messiaen, composed and first performed in imprisonment in 1941. Scored for clarinet, violin, cello and piano across eight movements exploring tim…
Queen (British rock band) Queen (band) Queen is a British rock band formed in London in 1970, celebrated for eclectic songs, theatrical performances, and enduring global influence; they have sold over 300 million record…
Queen + Paul Rodgers: collaboration between Queen veterans and Paul Rodgers Queen + Paul Rodgers Queen + Paul Rodgers was a short-lived rock collaboration (2004–2009) pairing Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor with singer Paul Rodgers; they toured and released one studio…
Queens of the Stone Age — American rock band Queens of the Stone Age Queens of the Stone Age are an American rock group known for riff-driven songs, a revolving lineup led by Josh Homme, and influential albums such as Rated R and Songs for the Deaf.
Queensrÿche — American progressive metal band from Bellevue Queensrÿche Queensrÿche is an American progressive metal band formed in Bellevue, Washington in 1981, known for concept albums like Operation: Mindcrime and hits such as Silent Lucidity.
Quena: The Traditional End‑Blown Flute of the Andes Quena The quena is a traditional Andean end‑blown flute, typically made from bamboo or wood, known for its breathy tone, simple fingering and central role in Peruvian and Andean music tr…
Quickstep: fast-paced International Style ballroom dance Quickstep Quickstep is a lively International Style ballroom dance that evolved from the Foxtrot and Charleston in the 1920s; it features brisk syncopation, close footwork and rapid directio…
Quiet Riot — American heavy metal band and cultural impact Quiet Riot Quiet Riot rose from the 1970s Los Angeles scene to mainstream success with Metal Health and “Cum On Feel the Noize.” Known for lineup changes, influential guitar work and a role i…
Quiet Storm (late-night radio format) Quiet storm Quiet storm is a late-night radio programming style featuring mellow soul, R&B and romantic ballads. It emerged in the 1970s and shaped adult-oriented urban playlists and overnight…
Race Horses (band) Welsh indie/pop group formed in Aberystwyth in 2005 as Radio Luxembourg. Known for eclectic pop, energetic live shows and a short but influential role in the mid-2000s Welsh indie…
