Music Tales | From Behind the Scenes

Read about music throughout history. Discover the best sounds of the world's cultures.
We explore rare artists and offer a peek behind the scenes. Join us!

Read about music throughout history. Discover the best sounds of the world's cultures. Join us!

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Led Zeppelin BBC Sessions LP cover

Music Theory

Mixolydian mode in Led Zeppelin songs

It's no secret that Western music theory offers three major diatonic modes—Ionian, Lydian, and Mixolydian—each serving...

Tuff Enuff LP cover

MALE VOCAL

Tuff Enuff: The Fabulous Thunderbirds' sole chart-topping song

Tuff Enuff stands as the best-known track from the blues rock ensemble The Fabulous Thunderbirds. This song serves as...

Bewitched Bothered and Bewildered, 1941 sheet music cover

FILM

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered: Rodgers and Hart's timeless Broadway song

Bewitched (Bothered and Bewildered) stands as a celebrated song and show tune hailing from the musical Pal Joey which...

Book of Dreams CD cover

TECHNOLOGIES

Swingtown: the signature song with Hammond Guitar Synthesizer

Swingtown stands out as one of the best-known tracks by the American rock group Steve Miller Band. This song served as...

La nave del olvido LP cover

SONGWRITER

La nave del olvido: decoding the lyrics and meaning behind the famous latin ballad

La Nave del Olvido stands as the best-known romantic ballad within the repertoire of Mexican singer José José. The track...

Sultans of Swing single cover

SONGWRITER

Sultans of Swing: how flamenco shaped Dire Straits' debut single

Released in 1977, Sultans of Swing marked the remarkable inception of the English rock band Dire Straits propelling them...

Bukka White CD cover

MALE VOCAL

Parchman Farm: the story behind Bukka White's blues

Parchman Farm stands as one of the best-known song by Bukka White, a singer and guitarist who wholeheartedly embraced...

Punky Reggae Party single cover

SONGWRITER

Punky Reggae Party: song versions and lyrics inspiration

Punky Reggae Party is a 1977 song by Bob Marley that exists in various versions ranging in duration from 4:25 to 9:19....

Fillmore West CD cover

Music Theory

Dorian mode in Pink Floyd songs

It is no secret that accurately applying classical theory in songwriting contributes to easy song memorization as well...

Maurice Ravel LP cover

ORCHESTRA

Ravel's La Valse and the duel that wasn't

Completed by Maurice Ravel in 1920, La Valse stands as a remarkable composition distinguished by its innovative waltz...

SODA STEREO 1997 PROMO CD Gustavo Cerati INTERVIEW De Musica Ligera

SONGWRITER

De Música Ligera: the inspiration and meaning of Soda Stereo's hit

De Música Ligera is one of the best-known songs by the Argentine rock trio Soda Stereo. It was released in 1990 as part...

Rocky Horror Picture Show Soundtrack 4 Cd 15th Anniversary Box

FILM

Dammit Janet: the playful proposal song

Dammit Janet is a memorable song from the original 1973 The Rocky Horror Show British musical stage production as well...

Love Yourself CD cover

SONGWRITER

134340: BTS's cosmic anthem of heartbreak

In 2018, the internationally acclaimed South Korean group BTS released their mesmerizing song 134340 as part of their...

Sirtaki flash mob at Accroche-Cœurs festival

FILM

Sirtaki: folk dances arranged by Mikis Theodorakis

The Sirtaki dance—a lively and energetic expression of Greek culture—has become an iconic image associated with the...

Amitabha Buddha, Tibet, 12th C. AD

MEDITATION

Namo Amitabha: meaning and benefits behind the Buddhist mantra

The Namo Amitabha mantra is a sacred chant associated with Amitabha, a celestial buddha held in high esteem in Mahayana...

Somos Novios LP cover

MALE VOCAL

Somos Novios: exploring the meaning of Manzanero's famous bolero

In 1968, Mexican songwriter Armando Manzanero released the enchanting love song Somos Novios. Two years later, American...

Live at the BBC Vol. 2 CD cover

Music Theory

Beatles' most used musical keys

In the realm of pop music, songwriters often rely on the 24 musical keys to create harmonious and captivating...

Francis Bay's Latin Beat – LP Cover

Big band

Begin the Beguine: discovering origin and meaning

During a Pacific cruise from Calabai to Fiji in 1935, the celebrated American composer and songwriter Cole Porter...

Never Turn Your Back on a Friend LP cover

MALE VOCAL

Breadfan: an anthem of money and greed

Breadfan is an iconic song by the Welsh heavy metal band Budgie featured on their 1973 album Never Turn Your Back on a...

Tornerò CD cover

SONGWRITER

Tornerò: revealing the song meaning

Tornerò—the 1974 debut single by the Italian pop group I Santo California—may have initially achieved only moderate...

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