Music

Sitar — North Indian plucked string instrument Sitar A long-necked, plucked string instrument from the Indian subcontinent, known for sympathetic strings, a gourd resonator and prominent role in Hindustani classical music and global…

Sixpence None the Richer American rock/pop band formed in Texas in 1992, known for Leigh Nash's vocals, the hit "Kiss Me", notable covers, and a name inspired by C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity.

Ska: Origins, musical features, and cultural influence Ska Ska is an upbeat Jamaican musical genre known for its offbeat rhythm, horn sections and influence on reggae, punk and hip-hop; it has seen multiple revivals from the 1950s to the p…

Skate punk: music, culture, and history Skate punk Skate punk is a fast, melodic branch of punk rock tied to skateboarding culture. Originating on the U.S. West Coast, it blends hardcore energy with catchy melodies and became synon…

Skin Yard — Seattle rock band and early grunge influence Skin Yard Skin Yard was a Seattle rock band active from 1985–1992. Though not commercially successful, they helped shape the early grunge sound and influenced peers through their recordings…

Skullhead (English Rock Against Communism band) Skullhead Skullhead was a Newcastle-based band associated with the Rock Against Communism movement, combining Oi!, punk and metal influences and noted for links to Odinist themes and far-rig…

Skyfall (Adele song) Skyfall (song) Skyfall is a 2012 James Bond theme performed by Adele. A dark, orchestral ballad co-written by Adele and Paul Epworth, it won major awards and reached high chart positions worldwid…

Slade: English Hard Rock and Glam Rock Band Slade Slade, formed in 1966, is an English hard rock and glam rock band known for energetic anthems, six UK number-one singles, the film Slade in Flame (1975), and a continuing touring l…

Slade on Stage (1982) — live album by Slade Slade on Stage Slade on Stage is a 1982 live album by English rock band Slade, documenting their stage sound and setlist from that period. It was the band's third and final live album and reached…

Sladest — 1973 compilation album by Slade Sladest Sladest is a 1973 UK compilation by English glam-rock band Slade, gathering hit singles and earlier tracks into the band's first domestic compilation; it reached number one on the…

Slash Records Independent Los Angeles record label founded in the late 1970s; known for documenting the city’s punk and alternative scenes and later sold to London Records in 1986.

Slayer — American thrash metal band Slayer Slayer was a seminal American thrash metal band formed in California in 1981, known for its fast, aggressive style, controversial lyrical themes, landmark album Reign in Blood, and…

Sleeping with Sirens American post-hardcore band from Orlando, Florida, formed in 2009 and noted for Kellin Quinn's high-tenor vocals, melodic hooks, and a blend of heavy rock and pop influences.

Sleepwalker (song) — Adam Lambert track from For Your Entertainment Sleepwalker (song) Encyclopedic overview of "Sleepwalker," a track from Adam Lambert's debut album For Your Entertainment, written with Ryan Tedder, Aimee Mayo and Chris Lindsey and promoted to radio…

Sleigh Ride — composition, recordings, and cultural role Sleigh Ride “Sleigh Ride” is a seasonal orchestral piece by Leroy Anderson (lyrics later by Mitchell Parish) that became a perennial winter standard through countless instrumental and vocal re…

Slipknot (American heavy metal band) Slipknot Slipknot is a nine-member American heavy metal band from Des Moines, Iowa, known for masked stage personas, aggressive sound, percussion-driven arrangements and influential albums…

Slipknot (album) Self-titled debut album by American metal band Slipknot, released in 1999. Known for its aggressive production, masked image and the singles "Wait and Bleed" and "Spit It Out."

Sly and the Family Stone: innovators of soul, funk, and crossover rock Sly and the Family Stone American band led by Sly Stone, formed in the late 1960s. Pioneered a multiracial, mixed-gender lineup and a hybrid sound blending rock, funk, soul and psychedelia; noted for hits…

Smash Mouth: American pop-rock band behind 'All Star' and 1990s hits Smash Mouth Smash Mouth is a California rock band formed in 1994, known for hit singles like 'Walkin' on the Sun' and 'All Star', a blend of pop, ska, and surf-influenced rock with wide cultur…

Smashing Pumpkins (American alternative rock band) Smashing Pumpkins Chicago-formed alternative rock band known for dense guitar textures, sweeping arrangements and landmark 1990s albums; led by songwriter Billy Corgan with a rotating lineup and ong…

Smells Like Nirvana — Weird Al Yankovic parody of Smells Like Teen Spirit Smells Like Nirvana A 1992 parody by "Weird Al" Yankovic of Nirvana's breakthrough hit. Released on Off the Deep End, it lampoons the original's mumbled vocals while closely copying its sound and visu…

Smells Like Teen Spirit — song, sound, and cultural impact Smells Like Teen Spirit An overview of Nirvana's landmark 1991 single "Smells Like Teen Spirit": its sound, origin, reception, and lasting influence on alternative rock and popular culture.

Smile (Avril Lavigne song) “Smile” is a 2011 pop-rock single by Avril Lavigne from her fourth studio album Goodbye Lullaby, written and produced with Max Martin and Shellback and issued as the album's second…

Smile (band) — the British trio that evolved into Queen Smile (band) Smile was a late‑1960s British rock trio whose members Brian May and Roger Taylor later formed Queen after replacing singer Tim Staffell with Freddie Mercury.

Smile (Charlie Chaplin song) Instrumental theme composed by Charlie Chaplin for Modern Times and later given lyrics as “Smile” (1954). Overview of composition, lyrical adaptation, major recordings and cultural…

Smile (Lily Allen song) Comprehensive account of Lily Allen's 2006 single 'Smile': its style, lyrics, release and reception, music video, appearances in games, and its impact on her early career.

Smile, It's the End of the World (Hawk Nelson album) Smile, It's the End of the World Second studio album by Canadian pop punk band Hawk Nelson, released April 4, 2006. Upbeat, guitar-driven songs blend pop-punk energy with faith-informed lyrics and radio-friendly h…

Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson song) Smooth Criminal A 1987 song by Michael Jackson from the album Bad, featured in Moonwalker and known for its narrative lyric, distinctive rhythm and the stage 'anti-gravity' lean; later covered by…

Snap! (German electronic music group) Snap! German electronic dance act formed by producers Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti, known for early 1990s hits such as "The Power" and "Rhythm Is a Dancer" and for shaping Eurodanc…

Snare drum A cylindrical percussion instrument with wires (snares) beneath the bottom head that produce a sharp, crisp sound used in military, orchestral, marching and popular music.

Sneaker Pimps: British trip hop group formed in Hartlepool Sneaker Pimps Comprehensive overview of Sneaker Pimps, a 1990s British trip hop/electronic band formed in Hartlepool; covers members, albums, notable songs and remixes, style, solo projects and…

Snow (Hey Oh) A 2006 song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from the double album Stadium Arcadium, noted for its intricate guitar arpeggio, melodic vocals, and use as a major live and media theme.

Snow Patrol Snow Patrol is a British alternative rock band formed in the 1990s, noted for atmospheric anthems and mainstream hits such as "Chasing Cars" from the album Eyes Open.

Snowstorm (Swedish rock band) Snowstorm (band) Snowstorm is a rock band from Gothenburg, Sweden, formed in 1976. Known for their melodic rock sound and the 1980 hit "Sommarnatt", they achieved chart success in Sweden during the…

Snuff (Slipknot song) Snuff (song) “Snuff” is a 2009 single by Slipknot from All Hope Is Gone. An acoustic-leaning ballad, it reached high positions on rock charts, earned award nominations and became a notable, emo…

So Amazin' (Christina Milian album) So Amazin' So Amazin' is Christina Milian's third studio album, released in 2006. It marked a shift toward mature R&B and included the hit single "Say I" featuring Young Jeezy.

So Close — debut album by Dina Carroll (1993) So Close (album) So Close is the 1993 debut album by British singer Dina Carroll. Released on A&M, it blended pop, soul and contemporary R&B, reached the UK top three and produced several successfu…

So Far So Good — Bryan Adams compilation album (1993) So Far So Good (Bryan Adams album) A 1993 greatest-hits compilation by Bryan Adams spanning 1983–1991, featuring the new single "Please Forgive Me" and many of his best-known rock and ballad tracks.

So Far, So Good... So What! (Megadeth album) So Far, So Good... So What! Third studio album by American thrash metal band Megadeth, released January 19, 1988. Noted for lineup changes, aggressive sound, and songs such as "In My Darkest Hour" and a cover…

So Here We Are / Positive Tension — Bloc Party single So Here We Are/Positive Tension Double A-side single by British indie rock band Bloc Party from their debut album Silent Alarm (2005), pairing the reflective 'So Here We Are' with the urgent 'Positive Tension'.

So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright A concise encyclopedia entry on the Simon & Garfunkel song 'So Long, Frank Lloyd Wright': origins, musical character, interpretations, and notable recordings and legacy.

So Long, Marianne — Leonard Cohen's 1967 folk song So Long, Marianne A concise encyclopedia entry about Leonard Cohen's 1967 song 'So Long, Marianne': origins, musical character, relationship to Marianne Ihlen, reception and cultural influence.

So Real (1999 album by Mandy Moore) So Real Debut studio album by American singer Mandy Moore, released in December 1999. A teen-pop record that produced the singles “Candy”, “Walk Me Home” and “So Real” and reached platinum…

Sofi Needs a Ladder A detailed overview of deadmau5’s single “Sofi Needs a Ladder”: origins, composition, media uses, remixes and recognition, including its place on the album 4×4=12 and a 2011 Juno A…

Soft rock (music genre) Soft rock A mellow, melody-driven branch of rock that emphasizes smooth vocals and accessible arrangements; popular on 1970s radio and still influential in adult contemporary music.

Soilwork — Swedish melodic death metal band Soilwork Soilwork is a Swedish melodic death metal band formed in Helsingborg in the mid-1990s, known for blending aggressive death metal with melodic, progressive and alternative elements…

Solo (music) A musical solo is a passage or complete work performed by one musician. It can be written or improvised and appears across classical, jazz and popular styles, serving expressive, t…

Some Chords (song) Some Chords An instrumental single by Canadian electronic producer deadmau5 from the album 4×4=12, known for its layered synth chords, media placements and a fan-made music video that won a pu…