Music
U2’s ‘New Year’s Day’ stands as one of the band’s most iconic and politically resonant tracks, marking a turning point in their career as they transitioned from post-punk upstarts into international rock superstars. Released in January 1983 as the lead single from their third studio album, War, the song introduced a darker, more urgent sound […]
The screen confirms what Gen X already knows in its bones. As of today, January 1, 2026, MTV has shut down its remaining music and supplemental video channels. MTV Live, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, and the last spaces dedicated to music on television are gone. MTV itself still exists, but no longer as a music […]
1986 rock albums turn 40 in 2026, showcasing the era's defining sounds and lasting impact.
‘Auld Lang Syne’ is one of the most enduring and universally recognized songs in the world, sung every New Year’s Eve as a symbol of reflection, friendship, and nostalgia. Its origins trace back centuries to traditional Scottish folk music, but it was Robert Burns who, in 1788, collected and refined the lyrics for publication in […]
ZZ Top’s cover of ‘I Thank You’ has long been a centerpiece of their live shows, showcasing the band’s playful energy, blues-rock chops, and ability to connect with audiences. Originally recorded for their 1979 album Degüello, the song quickly transitioned from the studio to the stage, becoming a fan favorite that epitomized ZZ Top’s dynamic […]
Don Henley’s ‘All She Wants to Do Is Dance’ is one of the most distinctive tracks of his solo career, blending social commentary with infectious danceable rhythms. Released in 1984 as the lead single from his second solo album, Building the Perfect Beast, the song marked a stylistic departure from Henley’s earlier work with the […]
Paul McCartney’s ‘Wonderful Christmastime’ is one of the most recognizable and debated holiday songs of the modern era, a track that reflects both McCartney’s playful instincts and his fascination with emerging music technology. Released in November 1979, the song arrived at a transitional moment in McCartney’s career, bridging the gap between the post-Wings Back to […]
Lindsey Buckingham’s ‘Holiday Road’ is one of the most enduring pop-rock songs of the 1980s, forever tied to the sun-soaked chaos of National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983). While the song has come to symbolize carefree travel and nostalgia, its creation was rooted in Buckingham’s highly controlled, experimental approach to recording, an approach that mirrored his post–Fleetwood […]
Heart’s ‘Never’ represents one of the most important turning points in the band’s long and often turbulent career. Released in 1985 as the lead single from their self-titled album Heart, the song signaled a full-scale reinvention for Ann and Nancy Wilson. After years of legal disputes with their former record label and the commercial disappointment […]
Bob Seger’s ‘Come to Papa’ occupies a distinctive place on his breakthrough 1976 album Night Moves. Unlike many of Seger’s signature songs, the track was written by Earl Randle (also credited as Earl Randall), but Seger’s interpretation gave it a commanding identity that fit perfectly within the album’s tougher moments. At a time when Seger […]
Pat Benatar’s ‘Hell Is for Children’ stands as one of the most intense and socially important songs of her career, and its impact is inseparable from both its recording process and the landmark album on which it appeared. Released in 1980 on Benatar’s second album, Crimes of Passion, the song marked a turning point, proving […]
December 29Marianne Faithfull (1946) – The Rolling Stones muse turned survivor, whose voice got deeper, darker and more dangerous with time. December 30Jeff Lynne (1947) – The mastermind behind ELO, stacking harmonies like bricks and making strings rock harder than most guitars. December 31Pete Townshend (1945) – The windmill-armed architect of The Who, smashing guitars […]