Music

The Academy in Peril — John Cale's 1972 experimental album The Academy in Peril The Academy in Peril is John Cale's second studio album (1972), an experimental fusion of rock and modern classical composition, produced by Cale and notable for its Andy Warhol co…

Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun (Debussy) The Afternoon of a Faun Claude Debussy's Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune is a landmark 1894 orchestral piece inspired by Stéphane Mallarmé, celebrated for its opening flute solo, innovative harmony, and…

The Alesha Show Second studio album by British singer Alesha Dixon, released 2008 by Asylum Records. R&B with soul and funk influences; spawned several top‑15 UK singles and a 2009 deluxe Encore e…

The All-American Rejects American alternative rock band from Stillwater, Oklahoma, known for catchy power-pop hooks, mainstream hits like "Gives You Hell," and a string of albums since the early 2000s.

The Animals (English rock band) The Animals English rock band from Newcastle known for a bluesy sound and Eric Burdon's powerful vocals; famed for 'The House of the Rising Sun' and influential in the 1960s British Invasion.

The Anthem (Good Charlotte song) The Anthem Overview of "The Anthem," a 2003 single by Good Charlotte from The Young and the Hopeless, covering its release, themes, chart performance, media appearances, and awards.

The Apostles (Elgar): an overview of the oratorio, structure and legacy The Apostles (Elgar) The Apostles, Op.49, is a large-scale oratorio by Edward Elgar (first performed 14 October 1903). This article summarizes its origins, musical design, forces, and place in the chor…

The Ark (Swedish rock band) The Ark Swedish glam-rock band formed in Rottne in 1991, led by vocalist Ola Salo. Known for theatrical performances, national success in the 2000s and their Eurovision 2007 entry "The Wor…

The Arockalypse — Lordi album The Arockalypse The Arockalypse is the 2006 breakthrough studio album by Finnish hard rock/heavy metal band Lordi, noted for the Eurovision-winning single and the band's theatrical monster imagery…

The Arrogant Worms Canadian musical comedy trio known for satirical songs that parody genres and celebrate Canadian life; active since the early 1990s and widely toured in North America and Australia…

The Avenger (Amon Amarth album) The Avenger (album) The Avenger is the second full-length album by Swedish melodic death metal band Amon Amarth, released in 1999 by Metal Blade Records. It marked lineup changes and reinforced the ba…

The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins (Leonard Nimoy song) The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins 1967 novelty folk-pop song composed by Charles Randolph Grean and recorded by actor Leonard Nimoy retelling Bilbo Baggins’ adventures from J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.

The Ballad of Mona Lisa — Panic! at the Disco single from Vices & Virtues The Ballad of Mona Lisa Lead single from Panic! at the Disco's 2011 album Vices & Virtues. Written by Brendon Urie and Spencer Smith, produced by Butch Walker and John Feldmann, it blends theatrical pop-r…

The Band (Canadian–American rock group) The Band Influential Canadian–American roots rock group active 1964–1976 and 1983–1999, known for Music from Big Pink, The Band, collaborations with Bob Dylan, and the farewell concert film…

The Band Perry (American country-pop sibling trio) The Band Perry The Band Perry is an American musical trio of siblings known for blending country instrumentation with pop songwriting. They rose to prominence with the 2010 debut album and crosso…

The Bangles American all-female rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1981, known for 1980s hits like “Walk Like an Egyptian,” “Manic Monday,” and “Eternal Flame,” and for melodic, harmony-driven…

The Battle Hymn of the Republic A Civil War–era American song with lyrics by Julia Ward Howe set to the tune of 'John Brown's Body', known for its refrain 'Glory, glory, hallelujah' and wide civic use.

The Beach Boys: American pop and surf-rock pioneers The Beach Boys The Beach Boys, formed in Hawthorne, California in 1961, are known for close vocal harmonies, surf-themed songs and studio innovation. This article covers origins, members, key rec…

The Beatles: Origins, Music, and Lasting Influence The Beatles A concise encyclopedia entry covering the Beatles: formation in Liverpool, members, musical evolution, key recordings, cultural impact, and later developments.

The Beautiful South (English pop band) The Beautiful South English pop group formed in Hull in 1988 by Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway. Known for witty, often dark lyrics set to catchy melodies; debut single “Song for Whoever” reached No. 2…

The Beginning (Black Eyed Peas album) The Beginning is the sixth studio album by the Black Eyed Peas, released November 26, 2010. A dance-pop follow-up presented as a prequel to The E.N.D., it was the group's final stu…

The Bends (Radiohead album) The Bends The Bends is Radiohead's second studio album, released in April 1995. Produced with John Leckie, it sharpened the band's sound and contains several well-known singles that shaped 1…

The Best Damn Thing (song) Article on "The Best Damn Thing," the title track and fourth single from Avril Lavigne's album, released June 13, 2008; covers background, style, release and its role in her career…

The Birthday Massacre The Birthday Massacre is a Canadian synth-driven rock band formed in 1999, noted for combining dark, gothic imagery with pop melodies and theatrical live shows.

The Black Keys American rock duo from Akron, Ohio formed in 2001. Dan Auerbach (vocals, guitar) and Patrick Carney (drums) blend garage, blues and indie rock across a string of acclaimed albums a…

The Black Parade (album) — My Chemical Romance's 2006 concept record The Black Parade The Black Parade is My Chemical Romance's third studio album (2006). A theatrical concept record about a dying protagonist, it blends rock, punk and orchestral elements and became…

The Black Parade Is Dead! (live CD/DVD by My Chemical Romance) The Black Parade Is Dead! A live CD/DVD documenting My Chemical Romance's theatrical The Black Parade tour, recorded in Mexico City and issued in 2008 with concert footage, live audio and bonus documentary…

The Blister Exists (Slipknot song) The Blister Exists Final single from Slipknot's 2004 album Vol. 3: (The Subliminal Verses). Known for its prominent snare drum solo, a May 21, 2004 music video, live-set role as a tour opener, and a…

The Blue Room (EP) An extended play by English rock band Coldplay released in 1999; their first release after signing to Parlophone and an early bridge to the band's debut album.

The Blues Band (British blues group) The Blues Band A British blues ensemble formed in 1979 by veteran musicians from the 1960s British blues scene, known for straightforward electric blues, strong live performances, and a long-runn…

The Blues Image: 1960s American rock band from Tampa The Blues Image An overview of The Blues Image, a Tampa-formed rock group of the late 1960s best known for the hit single "Ride, Captain, Ride," its members, history, style, and legacy.

The Bouncing Souls: New Jersey Punk Band Founded in 1987 The Bouncing Souls An overview of The Bouncing Souls, a punk rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, covering style, history, lineup, notable recordings, and the group's influence on the punk scene…

The Box Tops American pop-rock band from Memphis best known for 1967 hit "The Letter" and the follow-up "Cry Like a Baby"; led by vocalist Alex Chilton and noted for blending pop hooks with Sou…

The Boy Is Mine (Brandy and Monica song) The Boy Is Mine 1998 duet by Brandy and Monica; a chart-topping R&B single produced by Rodney Jerkins that sparked media attention, won major awards, and became a defining crossover hit of the lat…

The Bravery (American rock band) The Bravery The Bravery was an American rock band from New York City, prominent in the 2000s for their single "An Honest Mistake" and a sound mixing post‑punk revival with 1980s new wave eleme…

The Buffalo Club (American country music group) The Buffalo Club Short-lived American country music group formed in 1997, noted for close harmonies and a late‑1990s country‑pop sound; recorded a studio album and several singles before disbanding…

The Buggles English synth-pop duo formed by Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes, best known for the 1979 hit “Video Killed the Radio Star” and for having the first music video played on MTV.

The Bushwackers: Australian bush band and folk revival contributors The Bushwackers (band) An overview of The Bushwackers (originally Bushwackers and Bullockies Band), their origins in 1970s Melbourne, instruments and members, notable recordings and role in Australian fo…

The Byrds: Pioneers of American Folk Rock The Byrds The Byrds were an influential American band from California whose blend of folk and rock helped define folk rock, produced enduring hits, and influenced country-rock and harmony-dr…

The Calm: Insane Clown Posse EP (2005) The Calm The Calm is a 2005 EP by Insane Clown Posse, produced by longtime collaborator Mike E. Clark. Dark, theatrical horrorcore tracks that reached No. 32 on the Billboard 200 and No. 1…

The Cardigans: Swedish pop-rock band known for 'Lovefool' The Cardigans The Cardigans are a Swedish pop-rock group formed in 1992. Known for their melodic contrast of bright vocals and melancholic lyrics, they gained global fame with the 1996 hit "Love…

The Carpal Tunnel of Love A 2007 digital single by Fall Out Boy, noted for its blend of pop‑punk and heavier guitar riffs and for a music video featuring Happy Tree Friends characters.

The Cars (American rock band) The Cars Overview of The Cars, an American rock/new wave band from Boston formed in 1976, their sound, members, career highlights, and legacy in popular music.

The Chainsmokers — American pop and electronic duo The Chainsmokers The Chainsmokers are an American DJ and pop-electronic duo from New York City, known for crossover hits like “Roses,” “Don't Let Me Down” and “Closer,” blending EDM production with…

The Chantels: Pioneering 1950s African‑American Vocal Group The Chantels The Chantels were a Bronx-origin R&B and pop vocal group formed in 1957, known for the 1957 hit "Maybe" and for helping establish the girl-group sound in American popular music.

The Chicks (formerly The Dixie Chicks): American country music trio The Chicks An American country music group formed in Dallas in 1989, known for tight harmonies, instrumental skill, major commercial success in the late 1990s, a 2003 political controversy, a…

The Chiffons: 1960s American girl group known for "He's So Fine" The Chiffons The Chiffons were a Bronx-based girl group formed in 1960, best known for hits like "He's So Fine" and "One Fine Day" and for their place in the early 1960s girl-group pop traditio…

The Chordettes: American female vocal quartet The Chordettes The Chordettes were a popular American female vocal quartet known for close-harmony singing and hits like "Mr. Sandman" and "Lollipop"; active mainly in the 1950s and noted for a c…