Music

Winger (American rock band) Winger (band) Winger is an American hard rock / glam metal band formed in New York City in the late 1980s, known for melodic hooks and hits such as "Seventeen," "Headed for a Heartbreak," and "M…

WINNER (South Korean boy band) WINNER WINNER is a South Korean pop group formed by YG Entertainment in 2014. Known for blending pop, hip hop and R&B, the group has undergone lineup changes and produced several commerci…

Winter Wonderland (popular winter song) Winter Wonderland An encyclopedic overview of the song "Winter Wonderland": origin, lyrics and themes, notable recordings, cultural impact, and distinguishing facts about this perennial winter stand…

Wishbone Ash — British rock band pioneering twin lead guitars Wishbone Ash Wishbone Ash, formed in Torquay in 1969, are an English rock band noted for twin lead-guitar harmonies, the influential 1972 album Argus, and a long history of line-up changes with…

With a Little Help from My Friends (Beatles song) With a Little Help from My Friends A Beatles song from 1967 written by Lennon–McCartney and sung by Ringo Starr on Sgt. Pepper's; noted for its communal lyrics, pop-soul arrangement and long-lasting cover versions.

With a Song in My Heart (Stevie Wonder album) 1963 studio album by Stevie Wonder on Tamla Records; his third LP and first issued under the name Stevie Wonder, featuring pop standards and orchestrated arrangements during his ea…

With Arms Wide Open (song) With Arms Wide Open A power ballad by American rock band Creed from their 1999 album Human Clay, released as a single in 2000; a commercially successful, Grammy-winning song about impending fatherhood…

With Blood Comes Cleansing — American deathcore band With Blood Comes Cleansing Overview of With Blood Comes Cleansing, an American deathcore band formed in February 2005, covering style, history, themes, and role within the mid-2000s extreme metal scene.

With My Own Eyes — 2000 single by Sash! featuring Inka Auhagen With My Own Eyes Overview and context for the 2000 single "With My Own Eyes" by German DJ collective Sash! featuring Finnish vocalist Inka Auhagen, its sound, release context on the album Trilenium…

Within Temptation — Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation Within Temptation is a Dutch symphonic metal band formed in 1996, known for blending orchestral arrangements with gothic atmospheres and for bringing female-fronted metal into main…

Within You Without You — George Harrison song Within You Without You A 1967 George Harrison composition on the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper album blending Indian classical music, spiritual lyrics and Western strings; an early example of world-music influenc…

Without Me (Eminem song) Without Me Overview and context of Eminem's 2002 single "Without Me": musical style, release, chart performance, music video, critical reception and awards.

Without You (Badfinger song) Overview of the song "Without You" by Badfinger: its writing, original recording, famous covers (notably by Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey), musical traits, reception and publishin…

Without You (David Guetta song) A 2011 dance-pop / EDM single by David Guetta featuring Usher from Nothing but the Beat, written by Guetta, Usher, Taio Cruz and collaborators and produced by Guetta with longtime…

Wizex — Swedish dansband (formed 1973) Wizex Wizex is a long-running Swedish dansband formed in 1973, known for dance-friendly pop and schlager; they earned national attention with Kikki Danielsson and the 1978 Melodifestival…

Woke Up This Morning (song by Alabama 3) Woke Up This Morning A 1997 song by Alabama 3 best known as the opening theme for The Sopranos; notable for its blend of blues, electronic beats and multiple mixes, including the 'Chosen One Mix' used…

Wolfmother (Australian rock band) Wolfmother Australian hard rock band led by Andrew Stockdale, noted for a mid-2000s breakthrough, classic-rock influences and the Grammy-winning single "Woman".

Womanizer (Britney Spears song) Womanizer A 2008 electropop single by Britney Spears from her sixth album Circus, notable for its catchy hook, chart success and a widely seen music video that lampoons a promiscuous man.

Wonder Girls South Korean girl group formed by JYP Entertainment in 2007, known for retro pop hits, lineup changes, US promotion and the international single "Nobody"; disbanded after members l…

Wonderful Christmastime (Paul McCartney song) Wonderful Christmastime A concise encyclopedia entry on Paul McCartney's 1979 holiday single 'Wonderful Christmastime': its creation, musical character, release and chart history, covers, reception and le…

Wonderwall (song) 'Wonderwall' is a 1990s rock ballad by Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher. From the album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, it became the band's most internationally recognized sing…

Woodblock (percussion instrument) Woodblock A compact wooden idiophone producing a sharp, resonant pitch when struck. Used in orchestras, bands and folk ensembles; available single or in tuned sets and played with sticks or…

Woodwind instrument A woodwind instrument produces sound by air divided at an edge or reed vibration. This article explains types, construction, history, uses, and how woodwinds differ from other inst…

Woohoo (Christina Aguilera song) Woohoo "Woohoo" is a 2010 single by Christina Aguilera featuring Nicki Minaj from the album Bionic. An uptempo electrohop track with R&B and hip-hop influences, noted for its explicit sex…

Words for the Dying (album) Words for the Dying Words for the Dying is a 1989 studio album by Welsh multi-instrumentalist John Cale, produced by Brian Eno. It blends song settings of poetry with orchestral and experimental rock…

World music: definition, features, history and cultural significance World music Survey of the broad category called world music: its characteristics, historical development, contexts of use, notable examples and debates about labeling and commercialization.

Wrecking Ball — Miley Cyrus song Wrecking Ball (Miley Cyrus song) Pop ballad released in 2013 by Miley Cyrus from the album Bangerz; notable for its emotional lyrics, provocative music video and rapid online viewing records, and for reaching numb…

WSTRN — West London R&B and urban trio WSTRN English musical trio from West London, formed by Akelle, Louis Rei and Haile; best known for their 2015 debut single "In2" which reached the UK top five.

Wu-Tang Clan American hip-hop collective formed in Staten Island in the early 1990s, known for Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), distinctive production, nine core members, solo careers, and broa…

Wyolica (Japanese pop duo) Wyolica Wyolica is a Japanese two-person pop/folk duo composed of vocalist Azumi and guitarist So-to. They debuted with Who Said La La? (2000) and are known for acoustic-tinged, melody-dri…

X Japan — Japanese rock band and visual kei pioneers X Japan X Japan is a Japanese rock band formed by Yoshiki in 1982, known for theatrical heavy metal, emotional ballads, and a major role in the visual kei movement. Active 1982–1997 and re…

XO (Leathermouth album) Debut studio album by hardcore punk band Leathermouth, fronted by Frank Iero. Released January 27, 2009 on Epitaph Records; noted for abrasive sound, direct lyrics and hardcore inf…

Xylophone: pitched percussion instrument and its history, construction, and use Xylophone A xylophone is a tuned percussion instrument with wooden bars struck by mallets. This article explains its parts, sound, history, playing techniques, related instruments, and commo…

Ya Ves — song by Selena Ya Ves “Ya Ves” is a song recorded by Selena, issued as the second single from the 1990 album Ven Conmigo. It blends Tejano and Latin pop elements and was highlighted at the Selena ¡VIVE!…

YB (Yoon Do-hyun Band) — South Korean rock band YB YB (Yoon Do-hyun Band) is a South Korean rock group formed in 1994, known for energetic live shows, blending modern rock with traditional Korean instruments and a catalogue of stud…

Yeah Yeah Yeahs: New York indie rock trio and their music Yeah Yeah Yeahs Overview of Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the New York City indie rock trio led by Karen O; history, style, major albums, lineup changes, notable songs and awards.

Yeah! — Usher single and cultural phenomenon Yeah! Comprehensive overview of Usher's 2004 hit "Yeah!": creation, sound, production credits, chart success, awards, remixes, media uses and its influence on 2000s pop and club music.

Yellow (Coldplay song) A detailed overview of Coldplay's breakthrough 2000 single "Yellow": its creation, recording, release, reception, video, live life and ongoing cultural impact.

Yes (band) — English progressive rock group formed in 1968 Yes (band) Yes are an English progressive rock band formed in London in 1968, noted for long, intricate compositions, virtuosic lineups, iconic album art and songs such as 'Roundabout' and 'O…

YG Family (YG Entertainment artist collective) YG Family Collective brand for artists signed to South Korea's YG Entertainment, used for compilation releases, joint concerts and collaborative promotions; debuted with the Famillenium comp…

Ying Yang Twins American hip-hop duo from Atlanta associated with the crunk movement, known for party-oriented club singles, collaborations with Lil Jon and Mr. Collipark, and early‑2000s mainstre…

Yo La Tengo (American indie rock band) Yo La Tengo Yo La Tengo is an American indie rock band formed in 1984, celebrated for its eclectic sound, enduring core members, influential albums, adventurous live shows and ties to freeform…

Yothu Yindi: Australian Indigenous Band, Music and Cultural Impact Yothu Yindi Yothu Yindi, a groundbreaking Australian Indigenous band, blended Yolngu and Western music, produced hits like 'Treaty', and raised awareness of Indigenous rights and culture inter…

You Am I (Australian rock band) You Am I You Am I is an Australian alternative rock band formed in Sydney in 1989, led by Tim Rogers. Known for energetic live shows and several ARIA chart-topping albums, they influenced t…

You and I (Lady Gaga song) You and I A rock-tinged single from Lady Gaga's 2011 album Born This Way, noted for its guitar-led arrangement, crossover appeal, chart success in North America and multi-platinum RIAA certi…

You Are Not Alone — Michael Jackson song You Are Not Alone A 1995 pop–R&B ballad performed by Michael Jackson and written by R. Kelly, notable for debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and for its Wayne Isham-directed video featu…

You Belong with Me A country-pop single recorded by Taylor Swift for her 2008 album Fearless, co-written with Liz Rose and produced by Nathan Chapman and Swift. The song became a crossover hit and a…

You Boyz Make Big Noize — Slade's 1987 studio album You Boyz Make Big Noize You Boyz Make Big Noize is the fourteenth and final studio album by English rock band Slade, released in 1987. A radio-friendly record that underperformed commercially, peaking at…