Music

Red Red Wine A song originally recorded by Neil Diamond and later popularized by UB40; a pop ballad turned reggae hit about using wine to soothe heartache, notable for chart success and endurin…

Reed (musical instrument) Reed (instrument) A reed is a thin vibrating strip used to generate sound in many wind instruments. Covers types (single, double, free), materials, how reeds work, history, care and distinctions bet…

Reel Big Fish Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band formed in early 1990s California, known for upbeat horn-driven songs, frequent lineup changes, and mainstream exposure from their hit sin…

Reflection (song) — from Disney's Mulan (1998) Reflection (song) Comprehensive entry on "Reflection," the song from Disney's 1998 film Mulan: writers, film and pop recordings (Lea Salonga, Christina Aguilera), release, charting, and its role in…

Refrain: repeated lines in music and poetry Refrain A refrain is a line or group of lines repeated in poetry or music—often the chorus in songs—serving structural, emotional, and mnemonic roles across genres and historical forms.

Reggae: Origins, Sound, Styles and Cultural Impact Reggae Reggae is a music genre that developed in late‑1960s Jamaica, known for off‑beat rhythms, deep basslines and social and spiritual themes. This article covers its sound, history, in…

Reggaeton: Origins, Sound, and Cultural Influence Reggaeton Reggaeton is an urban music genre combining Caribbean rhythms, Latin styles and hip hop, born from reggae en español and Puerto Rican scenes and now a major global popular music fo…

Reggie and the Full Effect American rock project led by James Dewees since 1998, known for blending emo and pop‑punk songwriting with prominent keyboards, synth textures, theatrical live shows, rotating coll…

Regulate (song) 1994 G-funk single by Warren G featuring Nate Dogg, built on a Michael McDonald sample; a cinematic street narrative that reached No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped populari…

Regulate...G Funk Era 1994 debut album by Warren G that helped bring G-funk into the mainstream. Features the hit single "Regulate" (with Nate Dogg), notable sampling, a No. 2 Billboard peak, and broad…

Reign in Blood Reign in Blood is Slayer's influential 1986 album that condensed extreme speed, dark themes, and tight production into a brief, landmark thrash-metal statement that reshaped heavy…

Relative key (music): relationship between major and minor keys Relative key In music theory, a relative key is the major or minor key sharing the same key signature. This article explains how to find relatives, their musical role, history, and common key p…

Release (music) A music release is a distributed creative work — single, EP, album or other format — plus the commercial and promotional activity that brings recorded music to listeners.

Release the Stars (2007 album by Rufus Wainwright) Release the Stars Release the Stars is Rufus Wainwright's 2007 studio album, produced by Marius de Vries. Known for lush, orchestral arrangements and theatrical pop, it features guest contributions…

Relient K: American pop-punk band from Ohio Relient K Relient K is an American rock band formed in Ohio known for catchy pop-punk, melodic power-pop, and occasional Christian themes. This article covers their origins, style, lineup, m…

ReLoad (Metallica album) ReLoad ReLoad is Metallica's seventh studio album, released in November 1997. It continued the band's post-thrash direction, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200, and was the final studio r…

Remember the Time — Michael Jackson song Remember the Time A 1991 single from Michael Jackson's Dangerous era, blending new jack swing and R&B. Notable for its Egyptian-set music video directed by John Singleton and its collaboration with…

Remioromen Remioromen is a three-piece Japanese rock band formed in 2000, noted for melodic pop-rock, emotive ballads and the mid-2000s hit “Konayuki.”

Remixing (music): technique, history, types and cultural role Remixing Remixing is the practice of reworking an existing song by rearranging, substituting or processing its parts to create a new version. This article explains methods, history, types,…

Renaissance music: European music of ca. 1400–1600 Renaissance music Survey of European Renaissance music: its style, genres, instruments, historical context, notable composers, and its role in the transition from medieval modal practice toward tona…

REO Speedwagon: American rock band known for 1980s power ballads REO Speedwagon Overview of REO Speedwagon: origins, sound, commercial peak with Hi Infidelity, notable songs, lineup evolution, and ongoing legacy as a touring rock act.

Repertoire: definition, forms, history and uses in music and theatre Repertoire An accessible overview of repertoire: its meaning in music and theatre, categories (instrumental, vocal, company), historical usage, practical importance for performers and compani…

Répétiteur: role, skills and place in opera and ballet Répétiteur A répétiteur is a specialist rehearsal pianist and coach who prepares singers and dancers, providing musical reduction, language coaching and interpretive guidance in opera and bal…

Mozart: Requiem in D minor, K. 626 Requiem (Mozart) An encyclopedia overview of Mozart's Requiem in D minor (K.626): its composition, structure, unfinished state, completion by Süssmayr, performance history, and continued musical im…

Restless Heart (Whitesnake album) Restless Heart is the ninth studio album by English rock band Whitesnake, released March 1997. It was the band’s first collection of new material in eight years and reached number…

Revenge (Kiss album) Revenge (album) Revenge is a 1992 studio album by Kiss that returned the band to a heavier, more contemporary metal sound and reunited them with producer Bob Ezrin amid lineup changes.

Revivor — eighth studio album by Funker Vogt Revivor Revivor is the eighth studio album by German aggrotech act Funker Vogt. It continues the band's harsh electro-industrial sound with military themes, heavy rhythms, and club-oriente…

Revolver (magazine) Revolver is a U.S. monthly magazine emphasizing hard rock and heavy metal, with cover stories, album and gear reviews, underground-band coverage and the slogan: "The World's Loudes…

Rhapsody in Blue A landmark 1924 composition by George Gershwin blending jazz and classical elements; famous for its clarinet opening, symphonic-jazz structure, and lasting influence on American mu…

Rhythm: musical pulse, meter, and patterns Rhythm An overview of rhythm—its components, notation, cultural varieties, uses in music and speech, how it is perceived, and practical aspects of performing and practicing rhythm.

Rhythm and blues (R&B): origins, characteristics, and evolution Rhythm and blues Rhythm and blues (R&B) is a popular music genre rooted in African American jazz, gospel and blues traditions, evolving from mid‑20th century dance music into multiple modern styles…

Rhythm guitar: role, techniques, notation and history Rhythm guitar A clear introduction to rhythm guitar—its function in music, common techniques, notation and equipment, historical development, and differences from lead guitar, with practical exa…

Rhythm section The rhythm section is the group of instruments in many popular ensembles that provide pulse, harmonic foundation, and groove, typically including drums, bass, guitar and keyboards.

Rhythmic Songs Chart — Billboard's rhythmic-format airplay ranking Rhythmic Songs Chart A Billboard airplay chart that ranks the 40 most-played singles on monitored rhythmic-format radio stations in the United States; launched in 1992 with Boyz II Men's first number o…

Ribbed (NOFX album) Ribbed Ribbed is the third studio album by American punk band NOFX, released March 26, 1991 on Epitaph Records and produced by Brett Gurewitz. It marked an early, influential entry in 199…

Ricardo Montaner (1987 album) Ricardo Montaner (album) Debut 1987 album by Argentine-Venezuelan singer Ricardo Montaner. Released by TH-Rodven, it introduced his romantic Latin pop style and reached #1 on the Billboard Latin Pop Albums…

Richard Hayman: American Arranger, Harmonica Soloist and Conductor Richard Hayman Overview of Richard Hayman (1920–2014), his career as an arranger for film and popular orchestras, his role as a harmonica soloist, his recordings and performances, and his legacy.

Richard Rodney Bennett English composer and pianist Richard Rodney Bennett (1936–2012) wrote concert works, film and television scores and performed jazz. He lived in New York City from 1979 until his de…

Rick Astley discography Overview of English singer Rick Astley's recorded output: studio albums, compilations, singles, videos and notable releases from his 1980s breakthrough to later comebacks and the r…

Ricky (song) A comedic parody by "Weird Al" Yankovic that turns Toni Basil's 'Mickey' into a duet about I Love Lucy; notable as Yankovic's first produced music video and an early example of TV-…

Ricky Martin (1991 album) Ricky Martin's eponymous solo debut, released 26 November 1991 by Sony Discos and Sony Music Mexico, introduced his transition from Menudo to a solo Latin pop artist and launched s…

Riddle Box (album) — Insane Clown Posse's third Joker's Card Riddle Box Riddle Box is the third studio album by Insane Clown Posse, released October 10, 1995; a key entry in the group's Dark Carnival saga that shaped horrorcore and their devoted fan co…

Ride (English shoegaze band) Ride (band) Ride are an English rock band from Oxford associated with the early 1990s shoegaze movement, known for their debut Nowhere, the single "Vapour Trail", and later reunions and albums…

Ride wit Me — Nelly song (2001) Ride wit Me 2001 single by Nelly from the album Country Grammar, featuring City Spud. A pop-rap crossover hit that reached the top five in several countries and has been widely used in film an…

Rienzi, der Letzte der Tribunen — early opera by Richard Wagner Rienzi Rienzi is an early grand-opera style work by Richard Wagner in five acts, based on Edward Bulwer-Lytton's novel. Premiered in Dresden in 1842, it brought Wagner his first major pub…

Riff (music): repeated patterns, functions, and notable examples Riff A riff is a short, repeated musical figure—melodic or harmonic—that anchors many rock, jazz, funk, and popular songs. This article explains its characteristics, history, uses, and…

Right Behind You (Mafia) — song by Our Lady Peace Right Behind You (Mafia) A 2001 single by Canadian alternative rock band Our Lady Peace from the concept album Spiritual Machines; written by Raine Maida and Mike Turner and produced by Arnold Lanni and Ma…

Right Here Waiting — Richard Marx song (1989) Right Here Waiting A soft-rock ballad written and recorded by Richard Marx, released in 1989 as the second single from Repeat Offender; a global hit about longing that became one of Marx's signature…