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Behind the Hopeful and Iconic “Imagine” by John Lennon
It’s a simple thought: what if the world was different? What if humanity prioritized generosity and care more than short-term safety, financial gain and material wealth? It’s a thought we all want to...
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Entering the “Hotel California” of an Intense Singer/Songwriter’s Psyche: The...
No one can ever accuse Caroline Polachek of not paying attention to details. Her 2023 album, Desire, I Want to Turn Into You, is a deep, 12-song exploration of various feelings and moods, including...
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The Meaning Behind Alex P. Keaton’s Favorite Slow-Dance Song for the Ages:...
“At This Moment” by Billy Vera & the Beaters stands as one of the undeniably great weepers of the ‘80s. Folks who didn’t live through that decade might hear the song now and assume it was an...
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Behind the Meaning of “New Year’s Day” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift‘s “New Year’s Day” is an irrefutable standout on Reputation. It’s one of the departing sweet moments on a record otherwise riddled with searing berates and callouts. Heavily shrouded in...
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The Meaning Behind Harry Styles’ Contemplative Album Closer “Fine Line”
Upon its release in December 2019, Harry Styles‘ second studio album, Fine Line, was widely praised by critics and fans. The captivating project is a major creative expansion from the polished rock...
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The Melancholy Meaning Behind Kacey Musgraves’“Christmas Makes Me Cry”
If you’re leaning into your melancholy side this holiday season, look no further than Kacey Musgraves‘ “Christmas Makes Me Cry.” This gem off of the singer’s 2016 album, A Very Kacey Christmas, cuts...
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The Meaning Behind Hank Williams Jr.’s Mournful Drinking Song “Whiskey Bent...
Country hitmaker Hank Williams Jr. delivered his thirtieth studio album, Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound, just six months after the arrival of his hit record Family Tradition. The project expanded upon the...
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The Meaning Behind R.E.M.’s “The Great Beyond”
When a band writes and records a song about a famous person, and it becomes one of their signature hits, do we really need them to record a second song about the same person? In the case of R.E.M. and...
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The Stubborn Meaning Behind Hank Williams Jr.’s “Dinosaur”
Despite being aligned with the counter-culture outlaw movement, Hank Williams Jr. penned one of the best songs to encapsulate the traditional values in the ’80s with “Dinosaur.” Anyone concerned with...
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The Meaning Behind the Golden Globe Nominated Song “Peaches” by Jack Black
What would The Super Mario Bros. Movie be without this song? Diminished, that’s what! The Jack Black-penned tune, “Peaches,” which is not to be confused with the 1990s hit by The Presidents of the...
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The Meaning Behind Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa’s End Credit Song...
Director Rebecca Miller had already used Bruce Springsteen‘s 1984 hit “Dancing in the Dark” for her 2015 film Maggie’s Plan. As Miller was working on her 2023 romantic comedy, She Came to Me, starring...
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The Meaning Behind Eddie Cochran’s Historic “Twenty Flight Rock,” Written...
Eddie Cochran‘s tragic demise came in 1960 in a car accident. He left a huge musical legacy in his short career, including “Summertime Blues” and “C’mon Everybody.” One of his first big breaks came...
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For the Workingman Who Done Sprung a Leak: The Meaning Behind “Up on Cripple...
Bob Dylan made The Band famous on his debut electric tour. But their story wouldn’t end as a backup group. Beginning with Music from Big Pink in 1968, The Band released a run of critically acclaimed...
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The Meaning Behind Ryan Gosling’s Declarative ‘Barbie’ Ballad “I’m Just Ken”
How do you tell the story of Ken, the blonde-haired and beach-readied other half of one of pop culture’s most iconic dolls, through song? That was the challenge presented to celebrated producers Mark...
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The Meaning Behind “I Need My Girl” by The National
The National’s Matt Berninger is fond of imposing metaphors. In “Bloodbuzz Ohio,” he was carried in a swarm of bees. Deeper into the song, the floors are falling for everybody he knows. The metaphors...
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The Meaning Behind Blake Shelton’s Heartwarming Hit “Austin”
Blake Shelton has many hits, but his first time topping the country charts was with “Austin.” The lulling ballad instantly made headway with listeners, priming Shelton for an enduring career. Revisit...
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The Meaning Behind The Beach Boys’“I Know There’s an Answer” Involves Drugs...
“For the first time in my life, I did something that I wanted to do from my heart,” Brian Wilson told Beach Boys biographer David Leaf in 1996, reflecting on his work on Pet Sounds. Dissecting the...
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On This Day: Bob Dylan’s Releases His First Single “Mixed-Up Confusion”
Shortly after releasing his eponymous debut in 1962, Bob Dylan returned to the studio to record another batch of songs for his next album. Early on during the Freehwheelin’ sessions, Dylan recorded...
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The Meaning Behind Neil Young’s “Old Man,” a Song Born from Back Pain and a...
The fall of 1970 was a period of broken pieces for Neil Young. He released his third album, After the Gold Rush, divorced his wife, and purchased Broken Arrow Ranch. He injured his back while...
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A Support System for the Brokenhearted; The Meaning Behind Beach House’s...
The whole point of Beach House is transportation. Dream-pop is the vehicle Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally use to pull listeners from their current reality and into the next space. Since debuting in...
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