The Beatles were fearless in their approach to music, often pushing the boundaries of rock & roll and embracing something more bizarre. This exploration of different genres showcases their creativity ...

Sgt. Pepper is often classified as a psychedelic album. That’s accurate, but the track listing varies. It includes baroque pop (“Lovely Rita),” Indian classical music (“Within You Without You”), hard ...

Weird Al Yankovic is known for his parodies of famous songs and artists, from "Eat It" to "Like a Surgeon" and "Another One Rides the Bus." But, as the five-time Grammy winner explained on The Tonight ...

Some songs are pleasant, some are tear-jerkers, and some get the blood pumping. But what about songs that have their own unique novelty for being just straight-up weird? Let’s dive into four songs ...

Most people remember the Carpenters as the beloved brother-sister duo behind such classic hits as "We've Only Just Begun" and "(They Long to Be) Close to You." But in 1978, the iconic pair covered an ...

You remember the monoculture right? Michael Jackson and Madonna and Bon Jovi release a song in the mid-’80s and to this day karaoke crowds from Manilla to Mexico City belt out “Livin’ On a Prayer” ...

Music has always been more than just entertainment. Throughout history, it’s sparked revolutions, challenged governments, and ...

As joyful and virtuosic and oddly touching as “Weird Al” Yankovic’s two-hour whirligig was on Sunday night at Ravinia Festival, I couldn’t help watch without sadness: Here is the last of the great ...

We've been jamming to "If I Were a Fish," a song that went viral on TikTok for its feel-good message, all year long. Now kids can read the uplifting lyrics in a new book. The earworm was written in ...

This essay first appeared in the NPR Music newsletter. Sign up for early access to articles like this one, listening recommendations and more. I love the word "heartthrob." It stops you whether you ...