Music

Shamisen: Japan's three‑stringed plucked instrument Shamisen A concise encyclopedia entry on the shamisen: construction, history, playing styles, tunings, and its role in traditional and modern Japanese music.

Shape of You A 2017 pop single by Ed Sheeran from ÷ (Divide); a global chart-topper known for its blend of pop and dancehall influences, streaming success, and a songwriting credit adjustment r…

Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings American soul and funk ensemble known for vintage production, energetic live shows, and work with Daptone Records; led by vocalist Sharon Jones (d. 2016) and celebrated for revivin…

Sharp (music) In musical notation a sharp raises a pitch by one semitone. Covers symbols (single, double, rare triple), enharmonic equivalents, key signatures, tuning use and Unicode/typography.

Shawm: Medieval and Renaissance Double-Reed Woodwind Predecessor to the Oboe Shawm Shawm — a loud conical-bore double-reed woodwind used in medieval and Renaissance Europe, ancestor of the oboe; favored for outdoor processions, military signals, dances and civic…

She Came in Through the Bathroom Window A concise encyclopedia entry on the Beatles song written by Paul McCartney, recorded for Abbey Road and included in the famous medley; covers origin, recording, structure, and lega…

She Wants You (Billie Piper song) She Wants You 1998 pop single by English singer Billie Piper from her debut album Honey to the B. An upbeat teen-pop/dance track that became her third consecutive UK top-three single.

She's Hearing Voices (Bloc Party song) She's Hearing Voices An early Bloc Party song first issued in 2004 on the Banquet EP and a limited 7"; re-recorded for the band's 2005 debut Silent Alarm. Noted for its post‑punk energy and anxious lyr…

She's Leaving Home (Beatles song) She's Leaving Home A reflective Beatles song from Sgt. Pepper (1967), written by Lennon–McCartney. Notable for its narrative lyrics, string arrangement, and for being recorded without the band playin…

Sheet music — printed musical notation and its forms Sheet music Sheet music: printed notation used by musicians to perform, study, and publish compositions. Covers formats, parts, history, production methods, performance issues and common disti…

Shehnai: South Asian double-reed wind instrument Shehnai A North Indian double‑reed woodwind used in classical and ceremonial music. Known for its penetrating, lyrical tone and long cultural association with weddings, temples and maestro…

SHINee — South Korean boy band formed by SM Entertainment Shinee SHINee is a South Korean boy band known for R&B–influenced K-pop, intricate choreography and vocal harmonies. Debuted in May 2008 and remains influential through group releases and…

Shinhwa (South Korean boy band) Shinhwa Shinhwa is a long-running South Korean boy band formed in 1998, known for its six original members, varied pop and R&B-influenced music, enduring fanbase and rare continuity of lin…

Shiver (Coldplay song) A concise encyclopedia entry on "Shiver," the guitar-led single from Coldplay's debut album Parachutes (2000): composition, recording, release history, reception and legacy.

Shock Value (Timbaland album) Shock Value is Timbaland's second solo studio album, a 2007 pop/hip-hop production notable for its high-profile collaborations and cross-genre production style.

Shoulder rest (violin and viola accessory) Shoulder rest A shoulder rest is an accessory for violinists and violists that improves comfort and support. This article explains its design, materials, history, uses, and differences from the…

Show and Prove (Wiz Khalifa album) Show and Prove Show and Prove is the debut studio album by American rapper Wiz Khalifa, released September 5, 2006 on Rostrum Records. It introduced his Pittsburgh sound and helped build his earl…

Show No Mercy (Slayer album) Show No Mercy Show No Mercy is the 1983 debut studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer, released on Metal Blade Records; notable for its raw sound, aggressive guitars, and early influen…

Showaddywaddy (British retro pop band) Showaddywaddy Showaddywaddy are a British pop band known for 1950s/60s revival rock and roll covers, theatrical stage shows and the UK chart-topper "Under the Moon of Love". They became prominen…

Showbiz (debut album by Muse) Showbiz Showbiz is the debut studio album by British alternative rock band Muse. Released in 1999, it introduced their theatrical style, dramatic dynamics and songs later staples of their…

Shut Up and Let Me Go — The Ting Tings (song) Shut Up and Let Me Go A concise encyclopedia entry on "Shut Up and Let Me Go," the 2008 single by The Ting Tings from their debut album We Started Nothing, covering style, release, chart performance and…

Sí (Julieta Venegas album) Sí (album) Sí is the third studio album by Mexican singer-songwriter Julieta Venegas, released in 2003. Co-produced with Cachorro López and Coti, it blends pop, rock and folk and produced sev…

Si Una Vez — song by Selena Si Una Vez “Si Una Vez” is a Spanish-language song performed by Selena, released as the fifth single from the 1994 album Amor Prohibido. It blends regional Mexican styles with pop and remains…

Sia: multiple meanings, people, places, and acronyms Sia Sia is a short word with diverse uses: a stage name, an Egyptian concept deity, place and language names, a genus, and many acronyms (e.g., Latvian LLC, Singapore Airlines, Semicon…

Sick Puppies (Australian rock band) Sick Puppies Sick Puppies are an Australian alternative rock/metal band from Sydney, formed in 1997. They rose to international attention with the viral “Free Hugs” video and songs like “You're…

Side project A side project is a secondary creative or professional undertaking—commonly used for musicians exploring styles outside their main band—allowing experimentation, collaboration, and…

Side to Side (song by Ariana Grande) Side to Side 2016 reggae-pop single by Ariana Grande featuring Nicki Minaj from the album Dangerous Woman; noted for its dancehall beat, suggestive lyrics, strong chart showing and a stylized m…

Siegfried (opera) — Wagner’s third music drama of the Ring cycle Siegfried (opera) Siegfried, by Richard Wagner, is the third drama of the four-part Ring cycle. A German-language music drama in three acts, it continues the mythic story begun in Die Walküre and pr…

Siempre Hace Frío (song) Siempre Hace Frío Spanish-language ballad recorded by Selena, released posthumously as the lead single from the 1996 compilation Siempre Selena; noted for its music video featuring Jennifer Lopez an…

Sight-reading: reading and performing music at first sight Sight-reading Sight-reading is the skill of performing unfamiliar music from notation on first encounter. This article explains its components, practice methods, uses, and practical tips for mus…

Signature Song A signature song is the track most closely identified with a performer, often defining public perception, setlists, and a career's legacy across genres and eras.

Sigur Rós — Icelandic post‑rock band known for ethereal sound Sigur Rós Icelandic post‑rock band formed in 1994, noted for Jónsi's falsetto, bowed guitar, 'Hopelandic' vocals, albums such as Ágætis byrjun and Takk..., and the widely used song "Hoppípol…

Sigur Rós discography Overview of the Icelandic post-rock band Sigur Rós's recorded output, including studio albums, live/film releases, notable singles, and their stylistic and cultural impact.

Silent Alarm (Bloc Party album) Silent Alarm Silent Alarm is the 2005 debut album by British rock band Bloc Party, noted for angular guitars, danceable rhythms and critical acclaim that established them in the mid‑2000s indie…

Silent Night (Stille Nacht) — history, music, and cultural impact Silent Night Comprehensive article on 'Silent Night' (Stille Nacht), the 1818 Christmas carol by Joseph Mohr and Franz Xaver Gruber: origins, musical features, spread, translations and lasting…

Silver Bells (Christmas song) Silver Bells A popular mid-20th-century Christmas song depicting urban holiday scenes, written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans and recorded by many artists including Bing Crosby and later pop a…

Silverchair (Australian rock band) Silverchair Silverchair, a trio from Newcastle, Australia, rose to prominence in the 1990s as a teenage band. Their music evolved from grunge roots to orchestral and art-rock, earning them fiv…

Silverstein (Canadian post-hardcore band) Silverstein Silverstein is a Canadian post-hardcore band formed in Ontario in 2000, known for blending screamed and clean vocals, melodic instrumentation, and a long career of albums and inter…

Simon & Garfunkel: American folk‑rock duo and cultural influence Simon & Garfunkel Simon & Garfunkel were a 1960s American folk‑rock duo. Known for close harmonies and Paul Simon's songwriting, their songs—like "The Sound of Silence" and "Bridge Over Troubled Wat…

Singer: Voice, Roles, Techniques and Cultural Significance Singer Overview of singers: definitions, voice types and techniques, roles in bands and ensembles, history and cultural importance, training, careers and common distinctions.

Singer-songwriter A singer-songwriter composes and performs their own songs, often accompanying themselves on guitar or piano. This article outlines characteristics, history, roles, and distinctions…

Singing: human vocal music — technique, history, and social roles Singing An overview of singing as the human use of voice to produce musical pitches and expression, covering vocal mechanism, musical elements, history, uses, and distinctions including so…

Single (music) A single is a music release built around one primary track (the A-side) and usually a secondary track (the B-side); formats and roles have changed from two-sided records to CDs and…

Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) — Beyoncé song Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) 2008 pop‑R&B single by Beyoncé, co-written with The‑Dream and Tricky Stewart. Known for spare production, an iconic black‑and‑white dance video, and wide cultural influence.

Sinner (Drowning Pool album) Debut album (2001) by American nu metal band Drowning Pool, featuring the hit single "Bodies". Platinum-certified within weeks and the only record with singer Dave Williams, who di…

Siouxsie and the Banshees: English post‑punk innovators Siouxsie and the Banshees An overview of Siouxsie and the Banshees, the English post‑punk band founded by Siouxsie Sioux and Steven Severin in 1976 — their history, style, key recordings, lineup changes and…

Sirenia (band) — Norwegian gothic metal group Sirenia (band) Sirenia is a Norwegian gothic/symphonic metal band formed by Morten Veland in Stavanger in 2001, known for blending heavy guitars, orchestration and alternating harsh and clean voc…

Sister Sledge — American R&B and pop vocal group Sister Sledge Sister Sledge is an American vocal group of four sisters from Philadelphia known for late-1970s hits like “We Are Family,” blending R&B, disco and pop and leaving a lasting cultura…