Songs
Maverick Music Takes Center Stage in This New Play on Nina Simone
A Smithsonian expert delves into the song and struggle at the heart of 'Four Women' at D.C.'s Arena Stage
What Makes John Legend America's Most Versatile Artist
Songwriter, singer, actor, producer, virtual reality maven. John Legend is an entertainment all-star
A Brief History of “Alice’s Restaurant”
The Arlo Guthrie classic starts off retelling the true story of what happened more than 50 years ago
The Real-Life Story of Maria von Trapp
"The Sound of Music" was based on the true story of her life, but it took a few liberties
'We Shall Overcome' Verse Now in the Public Domain
A judge recently struck down the copyright for the first verse of the iconic Civil Rights song
Freddie Mercury, Musical Genius and Stamp Collector
The singer-songwriter's childhood stamp album offers an insight to his character
After 50 Years of Song, Dance, Food, Even Hog Calling, at the Folklife Festival, Is It Still Worthwhile?
Recognizing traditional culture in the information age is ever more important argues the director of the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
'Mary Had a Little Lamb' Is Based on a True Story
As a child, Mary Sawyer rescued a lamb. Then it followed her to school one day
Songwriter Irving Berlin's Interfaith Marriage Caused 1920s Gossip
The songwriter made headlines when he and writer Ellin Mackay got married against her millionaire father's wishes
The Eurovision Song Contest Rocks Europe This Week. Here’s How It All Got Started
It was the idea of the European Broadcasting Union, who wanted to put the relatively new technology of television through its paces
Why Do We Play 'Hail to the Chief' for the President?
A Scottish rebel features prominently in the anthem
Researchers Found a Long-Lost Christmas Song
"Crown Winter With Green" has some serious archival cred—and a sad story to tell
Antarctic Fossil Suggests Ancient Birds Honked Not Sang
Recent analysis of two fossils provides the first evidence of ancient noisemakers
Lawyers Who Made the Birthday Song Public Domain Take Aim at Civil Rights Anthem
A group of filmmakers want to remove the copyright from "We Shall Overcome"
The “Happy Birthday” Song is Officially in the Public Domain
Sing without fear of being sued
Execution Ballads Once Spread the News of Punishment to the Public
The grisly tunes deliberately pull on emotions to discourage crime
"Happy Birthday to You" Could Soon Have Its Day in the Public Domain
One of the most popular songs in the world could soon be free to sing
Is a Band Without Its Original Members Still the Same Band?
What gives a musical group its identity? Is it the name on the poster or the people on the stage?
These Sparrows Sing to the Beat of Their Own Drum
Java sparrows amp up their tunes with acoustic beak taps synchronized with chirps
Scientifically Accurate 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' Is Still Charming
Stars aren't diamonds at all—they're giant balls of gas
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