Somebody's Watching Me (1984 song by Rockwell) Somebody's Watching Me 1984 single by Rockwell featuring Michael Jackson; a synth‑driven pop/R&B track about paranoia and surveillance that became a major international hit and a frequent sample/crossove…
Someone Like You (SafetySuit song) A single from SafetySuit's debut album Life Left to Go, released to radio and digital outlets in February 2008. An alternative/pop-rock ballad that helped introduce the band to a w…
Something (Beatles song) Something A 1969 love ballad written by George Harrison for the Beatles' Abbey Road; a widely covered and critically admired composition featuring a string arrangement and a notable guitar s…
Something About Airplanes — debut album by Death Cab for Cutie Something About Airplanes Overview, style, release history and legacy of Something About Airplanes, the 1998 debut album by indie rock band Death Cab for Cutie, including its 2008 tenth‑anniversary reissue.
Something About the Way You Look Tonight A 1997 romantic pop ballad by Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin, released on The Big Picture and issued as a double A-side single with the tribute "Candle in the Wind 1997."
Somewhere in Time (Iron Maiden album) Somewhere in Time (album) Somewhere in Time is Iron Maiden's sixth studio album, released 29 June 1986. Known for its guitar-synth textures, futuristic artwork and the singles 'Wasted Years' and 'Stranger i…
Somewhere Only We Know — Keane song Somewhere Only We Know Piano-driven single by English band Keane from their debut album Hopes and Fears; noted for its melodic simplicity, emotive lyrics and broad international popularity.
Somewhere Out There (Our Lady Peace song) 2002 lead single by Canadian alternative rock band Our Lady Peace from the album Gravity, written by Raine Maida. A more radio-friendly song that broadened the band's international…
Sonata: musical genre and formal structure Sonata A sonata is a multi-movement instrumental composition or a large-scale solo work. This article explains its form, history, common instruments, and how it differs from symphonies an…
Sonata Arctica Sonata Arctica is a Finnish power metal band formed in 1996, known for melodic speed, keyboard-driven arrangements, and singer–songwriter Tony Kakko. Key albums include Ecliptica (…
Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion (Bartók) Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion A concise, organized overview of Béla Bartók’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion: instrumentation, form, notable features, premiere, and its place in 20th‑century music.
Sonata form: structure, history, and musical significance Sonata form Sonata form is a flexible three-part tonal design used since the mid‑18th century to organize large-scale movements. This article explains its sections, origins, variations, and ro…
Song (music): definition, forms, history and uses Song An encyclopedic overview of the song: definition, structure, historical development, common forms (folk, duet, parody, instrumental), and its cultural and commercial roles.
Song cycle: definition, history, and notable examples Song cycle A song cycle is a group of art songs conceived as a single work. This article explains its features, history, major composers and examples, performance practice, and distinguishing…
Songs About Jane — Maroon 5's debut album Songs About Jane Debut studio album by Maroon 5, released 2002; blended pop, rock and soul influences and produced major singles including "Harder to Breathe", "This Love" and "She Will Be Loved".
Songs from the Superunknown (EP) — Soundgarden Songs from the Superunknown Mid-1990s EP by grunge band Soundgarden, released Nov 21, 1995 by A&M Records as a companion to the Superunknown era and the Alive in the Superunknown CD‑ROM.
Songs of Leonard Cohen — debut album (1967) Songs of Leonard Cohen Debut 1967 album by Leonard Cohen, featuring 'So Long, Marianne' and 'Suzanne'. Sparse folk arrangements and literary lyrics; modest US sales, stronger UK chart presence and later…
Songwriter A songwriter crafts the words and music of songs. This article explains roles, craft, history, industry context, and distinctions such as lyricist, composer, and singer-songwriter.
Sonic Youth: Pioneers of American Noise Rock and Alternative Guitar Sonic Youth Sonic Youth, formed in New York City in 1981, are an experimental rock band noted for alternative guitar tunings, No Wave roots, and a major influence on indie and alternative rock…
Sons of the Desert (American country band) Sons of the Desert American country band formed in Waco, Texas, in 1989 by Drew and Tim Womack; best known for the 1997 album Whatever Comes First and its top‑ten single; recorded an unreleased secon…
Soprano (voice type) Soprano Overview of the soprano voice: definition, vocal characteristics and range, principal operatic subtypes, roles in choirs and ensembles, historical notes, and related instruments.
Soul Asylum (American alternative rock band) Soul Asylum Soul Asylum is an alternative rock band from Minneapolis, formed in 1981. They achieved mainstream success with the 1992 album Grave Dancers Union and the hit single “Runaway Train…
Soul blues Soul blues is a hybrid musical style that blends the feeling and vocal approach of soul with the structures and instrumentation of electric blues, emerging in the late 1960s and ea…
Soul music: origins, style, and cultural impact Soul music Soul music is a Black American popular music style that blends gospel, rhythm & blues, and pop; known for emotional vocals, rhythmic drive, and its influence across genres worldwid…
Soulmate (Natasha Bedingfield song) Soulmate (song) 2007 single by English singer Natasha Bedingfield. A piano-led pop ballad about longing for a life partner, released from the album N.B.; it met mixed reviews but achieved commerci…
Soulwax: Belgian band blending alternative rock and electronic music Soulwax Soulwax are a band from Ghent led by brothers David and Stephen Dewaele, known for merging rock and electronic styles, prolific remixing, and high-energy live and DJ performances t…
Soundcheck: purpose, process, and practical considerations for live audio Sound check A soundcheck prepares performers and engineers for a live event by adjusting levels, tone, and monitoring. Covers procedures, equipment, roles, history, challenges and tips for bet…
Sound Horizon — Japanese fantasy music project led by Revo Sound Horizon Sound Horizon is a Japanese musical project led by composer Revo, known for narrative concept albums, rotating vocalists and theatrical live shows blending rock, orchestral and fol…
Sound of the Underground (2003 album by Girls Aloud) Sound of the Underground Debut studio album by British girl group Girls Aloud, released May 2003. Led by the title single, it introduced a pop‑electro sound produced with Xenomania and launched the group's…
Sound the Alarm (Saves the Day album) Sound the Alarm Sound the Alarm is a 2006 studio album by American emo band Saves the Day. Produced by Steve Evetts, it marked a darker, more urgent sound and is the first part of the band's three…
Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9): American instrumental electronic ensemble Sound Tribe Sector Nine Sound Tribe Sector 9 (STS9) is an American instrumental band from Atlanta, known for blending electronic, rock and jam music and for immersive live shows with synchronized lighting…
Soundgarden — American rock band and grunge pioneers Soundgarden Soundgarden, formed in Seattle in 1984, were early architects of grunge. Their blend of heavy rock and alternative styles produced hits like "Black Hole Sun" and the landmark album…
Soundgarden discography and release history Soundgarden discography Comprehensive overview of Soundgarden's recorded output: studio albums, live and compilation releases, EPs, singles, videos, key albums, lineup changes and legacy.
Sousaphone — wraparound marching tuba Sousaphone A large, wraparound brass instrument derived from the tuba, designed for marching and forward sound projection. Invented for John Philip Sousa, used widely in marching bands, brass…
Southern All Stars — Japanese rock and pop band Southern All Stars Southern All Stars is a long-running Japanese rock/pop band from Kanagawa, known for surf-influenced songs, chart-topping hits, and a broad influence on J‑pop since the late 1970s.
Southern hip hop (Dirty South): Origins, styles and influence Southern hip hop Southern hip hop, often called the Dirty South, is a regional form of hip hop from the Southern United States noted for its diverse subgenres, independent mixtape culture, and majo…
Southern rock A rock music style originating in the U.S. South that blends rock, blues, country and gospel influences; known for twin guitars, slide work and extended jams, prominent in the late…
Space rock (music genre) Space rock Space rock is a subgenre of rock marked by extended, atmospheric arrangements, electronic textures and science‑fiction themes. It emerged in the late 1960s–1970s and influenced sho…
Spandau Ballet (English New Romantic pop band) Spandau Ballet English pop band formed in 1979 and linked to the New Romantic scene. Best known for the 1983 hit "True" and other singles like "Gold"; split in 1990 and reformed in 2009 with orig…
Special Cases (Massive Attack song) Special Cases “Special Cases” is the lead single from Massive Attack’s 2003 album 100th Window, featuring Sinéad O'Connor; released with remixes and a B-side collaboration with Mos Def.
Speed (Japanese girl group) Speed (band) Speed is a Japanese all-female pop group formed in Okinawa in the 1990s. Known for danceable J-pop and several million-selling singles, the quartet rose quickly, disbanded in 2000,…
Speed metal: origins, characteristics, and legacy Speed metal Overview of speed metal: its late-1970s roots in NWOBHM and punk, musical traits, early influencers and bands, distinctions from thrash, and its lasting influence on later metal st…
Speed of Sound (Coldplay song) Speed of Sound (song) Lead single from Coldplay's third album X&Y, released 23 May 2005. A piano-led rock song with a synthesizer-heavy chorus, noted for commercial success, ASCAP recognition and Grammy…
Spice Girls: Formation, music, members and cultural impact Spice Girls Overview of the Spice Girls: British pop group formed in 1994, their members and nicknames, major releases, commercial success, reunions, film and lasting cultural influence.
Spinet: the compact harpsichord for domestic music Spinet A spinet is a small, triangular harpsichord variant developed for home use from the Renaissance through the Baroque. It has diagonal stringing, a single 8-foot set of strings, and…
Spiritual Machines (Our Lady Peace album) Spiritual Machines Spiritual Machines is the fourth studio album by Canadian rock band Our Lady Peace, released December 12, 2000. A concept record inspired by futurist ideas, it blends rock with ele…
Spit It Out (Slipknot song) Spit It Out “Spit It Out” is a high‑energy single by American metal band Slipknot from their self‑titled debut album, released as a single in 2000 and known for its rapid vocals and aggressive…
Spitz (Japanese rock band) Spitz (band) Spitz is a long-running Japanese rock band formed in 1987, known for melodic, jangly pop-rock and hit songs such as "Robinson" and "Cherry" that defined their 1990s success.
