Topic

Music

A collection of 66 issues

Art vs. The FBI: The Story of Frank Iero's Song That Triggered a Federal Investigation

In 2009, My Chemical Romance guitarist Frank Iero’s side project, Leathermouth, released a song with a provocative title that landed him on an FBI watchlist. This is the story of artistic expression colliding with national security, resulting in a home search, a ban, and punk-rock defiance.

Music Media & Censorship Biography & Personal Stories

How The California Raisins Funded N.W.A.'s 'Straight Outta Compton'

Priority Records, the label that introduced N.W.A. to the world, has a shocking origin. It was founded in the 80s as a novelty label with one purpose: to release albums for the fictional claymation R&B group, The California Raisins. Their success funded the rise of gangsta rap.

Music History Business & Economics

Pigs, Paranoia, and Pop Music: Inside The Beach Boys' Most Bizarre Recording Session

During the chaotic recording of the lost album *Smile*, Brian Wilson's eccentric genius peaked when he ordered The Beach Boys to crawl on the floor and snort like pigs to capture the 'earthy' essence of 'Heroes and Villains', a moment that defined the project's ambition and collapse.

Music Biography & Personal Stories Medicine, Psychology & Health

Hey, Hey, You, You: How Avril Lavigne's 'Girlfriend' Became YouTube's First 100 Million View Video

In 2007, Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend" made history as YouTube's first video to hit 100 million views. Amid controversy over view inflation and a race against "Evolution of Dance," the pop-punk anthem's success cemented the platform's power in the music industry and defined a new era of virality.

Music Entertainment & Media Technology & Innovation

The Southern Accent and Serendipity: How a Misheard Phrase Became Stevie Nicks' 'Edge of Seventeen'

Stevie Nicks' iconic anthem "Edge of Seventeen" owes its famous title to a happy accident. She misheard Tom Petty's wife, Jane Benyo, say "age of seventeen" as "edge of seventeen" due to her Southern accent, loved the poetic phrase, and promised to build a song around it.

Music Biography & Personal Stories

The Drive That Birthed a Supernova: How Chris Cornell Wrote 'Black Hole Sun' in 15 Minutes

Soundgarden's 'Black Hole Sun' was born from a misheard news report and composed in Chris Cornell's head during a 15-minute drive. The surreal, iconic 90s anthem was a masterpiece he initially thought his own band would reject.

Music Biography & Personal Stories

Good Morning, Grammy! The Story of Robin Williams' Wildly Unconventional Comedy Album Win

In 1989, Robin Williams won the Grammy for Best Comedy Album for the "Good Morning, Vietnam" soundtrack. The album contained only 3 minutes and 38 seconds of his monologues scattered between 12 classic 1960s songs, yet he still beat comedy legends like George Carlin and Steven Wright.

Entertainment & Media Music Biography & Personal Stories

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