Tag: music

Avoid a Christmas Catastrophe: Don’t Listen to “Frosty the Snowman” and Drive!

They call it The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, but Christmas can also be the most DEADLY.

From falling off ladders while hanging Christmas lights, to drinking bad eggnog, to . . . listening to “Frosty the Snowman” in the car. Wait . . . what???

According to a study from Insuranceopedia, songs with over 120 beats per minute can lead to dangerous driving habits. And “Frosty” is one of the most dangerous holiday songs of them all, at 172 bpm.

Here are the Top 10 Christmas hits that can lead to vehicular disaster:

1.  “Frosty the Snowman”,  Gene Autry:  172 beats per minute (BPM)

2.  “All I Want for Christmas Is You”,  Mariah Carey:  150 BPM

3.  “Feliz Navidad”,  José Feliciano:  149 BPM

4.  “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town”,  The Jackson 5:  147 BPM

5.  “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)”,  John Lennon, Yoko Ono , and The Plastic Ono Band:  146 BPM

6.  “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!”,  Frank Sinatra:  143 BPM

7.  “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”:  142 BPM

8.  “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday”,  Wizzard:  140 BPM

9.  “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”,  Judy Garland:  137 BPM

10.  “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus”,  The Jackson 5:  129 BPM

Are These the Best Christmas Songs of All Time?

If you needed an excuse to blast Christmas music at full volume, congratulations, the calendar just handed you one.

Now that December has officially arrived, the holiday playlists are coming out, the peppermint mochas are flowing, and TimeOut.com has dropped its new ranking of the 50 Best Christmas Songs of All Time.

According to TimeOut, the top spot belongs to a song most of us have already heard at least six times today. “All I Want For Christmas Is You” continues its undefeated streak as the queen of modern holiday music. Whether you think it’s a masterpiece or a seasonal earworm, its grip on December is unshakeable.

Just behind it is Wham!’s “Last Christmas”, a synthy heartbreak anthem that somehow still feels cheerful enough to soundtrack a shopping mall. In third place is “Fairytale of New York” by The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl, a song that’s emotional, messy, and beloved in the same way an ugly Christmas sweater is beloved.

Lists like this tend to spark strong opinions, partly because the soundtrack of December is so tied to nostalgia.

For some people, Christmas music means childhood memories and family gatherings. For others, it means surviving retail shifts and trying not to lose their minds as Jingle Bell Rock repeats for the 17th time. Either way, we all have that one song we think deserves better.

If you’re building a holiday playlist or just want to know where your favorites landed, TimeOut’s full Top 50 is worth checking out. And if you disagree with their rankings, don’t worry, there’s plenty of time left for spirited holiday arguing.

Here are TimeOut’s Top 20:

1.  “All I Want For Christmas Is You”, Mariah Carey

2.  “Last Christmas”, Wham!

3.  “Fairytale of New York”, The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl

4.  “Santa Tell Me”, Ariana Grande

5.  “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)”, Darlene Love

6.  “Feliz Navidad”, José Feliciano

7.  “The Power of Love”, Frankie Goes to Hollywood

8.  “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong

9.  “White Christmas”, Bing Crosby

10.  “Step Into Christmas”, Elton John

11.  “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday”, Wizzard

12.  “Must Be Santa”, Kurt Vile

13.  “Christmas Will Break Your Heart”, LCD Soundsystem

14.  “Wonderful Christmastime”, Paul McCartney

15.  “Underneath the Tree”, Kelly Clarkson

16.  “Christmas Tree Farm”, Taylor Swift

17.  “Dominick the Donkey”, Lou Monte

18.  “Child’s Christmas in Wales”, John Cale

19.  “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town”, The Jackson 5

20.  “River”, Joni Mitchell

Kendrick Lamar Dominates Apple Music’s 2025 Charts, But Drake Tops the Streams

If 2025 belonged to anyone in music, it was Kendrick Lamar. Apple Music dropped its year-end stats, and the numbers paint a pretty clear picture. Kendrick didn’t just have a good year, he had a monster one. And that’s great news for anyone who searched “top songs of 2025,” “Kendrick Lamar Apple Music,” or “most-streamed artist globally.”

The biggest win came from his chart-topping duet with SZA. Their track Luther took the number one spot in the U.S., and it wasn’t the only Kendrick-related song crowding the top of the list. In fact, the Top 10 looks almost like his personal playlist. SZA, Morgan Wallen, Drake, and Post Malone also made their mark.

Here’s the full rundown of Apple Music’s Top 10 songs in the U.S. for 2025:

  1. Luther, Kendrick Lamar and SZA
  2. Not Like Us, Kendrick Lamar
  3. 30 for 30, SZA featuring Kendrick Lamar
  4. I’m the Problem, Morgan Wallen
  5. TV Off, Kendrick Lamar featuring Lefty Gunplay
  6. Die with a Smile, Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
  7. NOKIA, Drake
  8. Love Somebody, Morgan Wallen
  9. I Had Some Help, Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen
  10. Just in Case, Morgan Wallen

Morgan Wallen fans didn’t go hungry this year either. He secured four spots in the Top 10, proving that country-pop crossovers aren’t slowing down anytime soon. Drake made the list too, although Kendrick might not love the fact that NOKIA is still hanging in there after everything that went down between them.

On the global stage, the top spot went to APT. by ROSE and Bruno Mars. Luther landed at number two worldwide, which is still an enormous feat considering how competitive the global charts have become.

And here’s the twist ending. Even with Kendrick dropping hits left and right, sparking the most talked-about beef in years, and stacking the U.S. charts like Jenga blocks, he didn’t actually complete the mission he set out for: ending Drake. Because Drake walked away with Apple’s crown as the most-streamed artist globally in 2025.

So Kendrick dominated the charts. Drake dominated the streams. And the rest of us got one of the most entertaining music years in recent memory.

PETA Wants Alice in Chains to Become “Betty in Chains” for a Circus Elephant

PETA is back with another headline grabbing campaign, and this time they’re aiming it squarely at the grunge legends of Seattle.

The animal rights group has asked Alice in Chains to temporarily change their name to Betty in Chains for one month. The goal is to use the band’s iconic branding to spotlight a 56 year old circus elephant named Betty, who PETA says has spent virtually her entire life, quote, “literally in chains.”

If you’re wondering why this is blowing up, here are the basics. Betty has been performing with the Carden Circus for more than 50 years. According to PETA, she’s taken part in roughly 300 circus shows each year, and they’re calling her the “world’s most depressed elephant.” That phrase alone has been enough to launch a wave of online sympathy for her situation, along with plenty of frustration aimed at the circus industry in general.

An elephant expert recently examined Betty and delivered a grim warning. They believe she is at risk of a fatal collapse if she isn’t immediately retired to a legitimate sanctuary.

That expert opinion forms the backbone of PETA’s request to Alice in Chains. In their letter to the band, they argue that a temporary name change would help “amplify her story to millions” and could “change the course of history for all animals used in circuses.”

The idea of a rock band adjusting its name for a cause isn’t entirely unheard of, and PETA has a long track record of using celebrity partnerships to raise attention. But the internet reaction has been split in classic social media fashion. Some fans think it’s a clever way to use the band’s influence for good. Others think it feels like a publicity stunt that puts the spotlight on the band more than the issue itself. And of course, plenty of people are jokingly pitching alternate names that range from charming to absolutely unprintable.

As of last night, Alice in Chains hasn’t responded. No statement, no joke, no “Betty in Chains” merch drop, nothing. Fans are watching closely though, because even a simple comment from the group would supercharge the attention on Betty’s situation.

No matter what the band decides, the campaign has already sparked fresh conversation about the treatment of circus animals and the push to retire aging performers to sanctuaries. And for Betty, even that spotlight might be the start of a very different final chapter.

The Ultimate “Stranger Things” Playlist to Get You Ready for the Final Season

If you’ve been counting down the days until “Stranger Things” returns, you’re definitely not alone.

With the final season dropping, fans everywhere are rewatching old episodes, brushing up on the Upside Down lore, and of course, putting together the perfect “Stranger Things” playlist. After all, the show’s music has basically become its own character. Think Kate Bush blasting while Max runs for her life, or Eddie shredding Metallica in one of the most metal moments in TV history.

If you’re hosting a watch party or just want to feel like you’re biking through Hawkins with the crew, here are the essential songs you’ll want on repeat. These tracks have all appeared in the series over the years, and they nail that nostalgic, eerie, synthy, monster-fighting vibe fans love.

Let’s begin with the biggest one. Yes, that one.

Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” is practically synonymous with the series at this point. Then there’s Metallica’s “Master of Puppets”, forever tied to Eddie Munson’s heroic guitar solo. Journey’s “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” captures the show’s emotional punch, and Bon Jovi’s “Runaway” fits the rebellious energy of Season 2.

The list only gets more fun from there. The Cars’ “Moving in Stereo”, The Clash’s “Should I Stay or Should I Go”, and Toto’s “Africa” bring back some of the most memorable early-season moments. No explanation needed. If you know, you know.

Here’s a list of must-have tracks featured on the series so far:

  1. “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)”, Kate Bush
  2. “Master of Puppets”, Metallica
  3. “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”, Journey
  4. “Runaway”, Bon Jovi
  5. “Never Ending Story”, Limahl
  6. “Rock You Like a Hurricane”, Scorpions
  7. “Moving in Stereo”, The Cars
  8. “Should I Stay or Should I Go”, The Clash
  9. “Every Breath You Take”, The Police
  10. “Tarzan Boy”, Baltimora
  11. “Psycho Killer”, Talking Heads
  12. “Africa”, Toto
  13. “Islands in the Stream”, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton
  14. “Just Another Day”, Oingo Boingo
  15. “Hazy Shade of Winter”, The Bangles
  16. “Time After Time”, Cyndi Lauper
  17. “Pass the Dutchie”, Musical Youth
  18. “Sunglasses at Night”, Corey Hart
  19. “Whip It”, DEVO
  20. “Girls on Film”, Duran Duran

If you’re still hungry for more Hawkins nostalgia, there are over 160 additional songs here, and Spotify even has an official playlist ready to go.

So crank up the volume, grab your Eggos, and get ready. This soundtrack will have you feeling like you’re right there in the Upside Down.

Swifties Beat AC/DC in a Seismic Showdown in Melbourne

If you ever needed proof that Taylor Swift’s fans can shake the earth, here you go. And yes, we’re talking literal ground-shaking.

A new report out of Melbourne says AC/DC may have rocked the city Wednesday night, but Taylor Swift rocked it harder. According to scientists, her Eras Tour created stronger seismic activity at the exact same venue.

AC/DC’s show at Melbourne’s iconic venue did register measurable vibrations, landing in the 2 – 5 hertz range. That puts it in the category of the kind of movement you’d expect when tens of thousands of fans jump, stomp, and scream at once. Their speakers added to the low rumble too, since big subwoofers essentially punch sound directly into the ground.

But the Seismology Research Center says that as solid as AC/DC’s readings were, Taylor Swift’s three-night run produced even bigger blips on their monitors.

In fact, a scientist there flat-out confirmed that the most powerful signals they recorded came from Swift’s concerts.

Swifties will tell you they don’t mess around, and apparently neither do the sensors.

One thing the scientist emphasized is that this has nothing to do with how loud the concerts sound. Seismographs don’t pick up audio. They pick up the physical movement traveling through the ground, which means the culprit is a mix of heavy bass and thousands of fans jumping in sync. At Swift’s shows, the crowd participation is basically a coordinated sport, so it tracks that the venue would rumble like a minor quake.

He explained it like this: the speakers on the stage sit directly on the ground, so they transmit vibration downward. Then you add tens of thousands of feet leaving the floor at the same time during songs like “Shake It Off”, and suddenly the earth is part of the choreography.

For Melbourne, this isn’t the first time music has moved the earth, but it may be the most dramatic example of how different artists produce different seismic signatures. AC/DC brings the thunder, but Taylor Swift apparently brings the tectonic plates.

So in the battle of rock legends versus pop superstardom, science has spoken. And the scoreboard reads: Swifties, 1; Seismic Stability, 0.

Most People Can’t Tell an A.I. Song from a Human One, and That’s Terrifying

If you’ve been looking for a fresh reason to panic about artificial intelligence, congratulations, your search is over.

A new music survey is basically the plot of every Black Mirror episode we were hoping wouldn’t come true.

In a study that tested whether people could tell the difference between A.I. music and human made music, more than 9,000 people across several countries, including the U.S., listened to three short clips. Two were composed by A.I., one was made by an actual human.

And here’s the unsettling part, the part that should probably count as a dystopian jump scare: 97 percent of participants couldn’t tell which was which.

Yes, ninety. Seven. Percent. For anyone keeping score, that means your odds of spotting A.I. music are now only slightly better than your odds of winning a scratch-off. Not great.

This new finding comes as A.I. generated music becomes more common online, especially on social media where fake collaborations and fake celebrity vocals spread faster than real releases. The study highlights something a lot of people have quietly worried about, that A.I. isn’t just getting good, it’s getting indistinguishable.

And some of these A.I. systems have learned enough patterns from human composition to mimic structure and style so well that even trained listeners are getting fooled.

What makes the whole thing even more intriguing, or unsettling depending on your caffeine level, is the emotional reaction. More than half the people who failed the test admitted they were uncomfortable with how easily A.I. fooled them. So people care, but caring doesn’t seem to help anyone tell the difference. It’s like realizing the call is coming from inside the house, shrugging, and going, “Huh. Weird.”

The broader trend here is obvious. As A.I. improves, creative fields keep bumping into the same question, if you can’t tell what’s real, does it matter who made it? Musicians are already wrestling with deepfaked voices and synthetic samples, and this survey won’t exactly ease their minds.

It also raises questions for streaming platforms, record labels, and anyone who relies on authenticity as part of the art.

So yes, if you wanted another reason to side-eye your playlist, you officially have one. And the next time a new track sounds strangely perfect, maybe don’t assume it came from a human. It might have been cooked up by a server farm somewhere, quietly learning that we can’t tell the difference.

Sleep tight.

Lil Jon Drops a Meditation Album Inspired by His Biggest Hits

If you’ve ever wanted to meditate while Yeah! is blasting in your head, you’re in luck. Lil Jon just dropped a new project that lets you actually do that — on purpose.

The rapper, best known for getting parties hyped with hits like Turn Down for What and Get Low, has released a guided meditation album called Remix Meditation. It features six of his biggest tracks reimagined as chill, affirming soundscapes designed to help you find your inner peace — or at least a moment of calm before yelling “OKAY!” again.

Along with Yeah! and Turn Down for What, the album includes meditative versions of Get Low, Lovers and Friends, Alive, and Goodies.

The collection blends his signature energy with slower rhythms and positive affirmations, turning club anthems into something you might actually hear in a yoga studio.

In a statement about the release, Jon explained that the project comes from personal experience. “There was a time in my life where there was lots of stuff going on, and meditation and saying affirmations helped me to get back into a positive mindset when I was drifting away from it,” he said. “It helped me to really manifest what I wanted out of life. So it was important to share all of that stuff with people.”

So if your usual guided meditation feels a little too zen for your taste, Lil Jon’s got you covered. It might just be the most unexpected (and entertaining) way to relax this year.

20 Music Videos That Belong on Your Halloween Playlist

If you’re the kind of person who loves a little fright with your playlist, Billboard just dropped the ultimate list for you: 20 of the spookiest music videos of all time.

Some of the picks make perfect sense, others might leave you thinking, “Wait, that song?” But hey, sometimes it’s the cheerful ones that hide the creepiest visuals.

The lineup includes everything from pop icons like Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter to horror legends like Rob Zombie and Ozzy Osbourne. Whether it’s the zombie dance that defined a generation or a surreal fever dream that makes you question your reality, these are the videos that prove music and horror go hand in hand.

Here’s Billboard’s spooky countdown (in no particular order):

  1. “Thriller” – Michael Jackson
  2. “All Good Girls Go to Hell” – Billie Eilish
  3. “Look What You Made Me Do” – Taylor Swift
  4. “Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)” – Backstreet Boys
  5. “The Dead Dance” – Lady Gaga
  6. “Closer” – Nine Inch Nails
  7. “Come to Daddy” – Aphex Twin
  8. “Bark at the Moon” – Ozzy Osbourne
  9. “Taste” – Sabrina Carpenter
  10. “Demons” – Doja Cat
  11. “Dinner & Diatribes” – Hozier
  12. “Disturbia” – Rihanna
  13. “Dragula” – Rob Zombie
  14. “Everybody Scream” – Florence + the Machine
  15. “Grave” – Kid Cudi
  16. “How Low” – Ludacris
  17. “All Nightmare Long” – Metallica
  18. “Emperor’s New Clothes” – Panic! At the Disco
  19. “Y Control” – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
  20. “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” – Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” is obviously the granddaddy of all spooky music videos, but newcomers like Sabrina Carpenter’s “Taste” and Lady Gaga’s “The Dead Dance” prove that the genre is still thriving. There’s everything from undead choreography to psychological horror to straight-up weirdness.

So, if you’re building a Halloween playlist or just want to creep yourself out on a random Tuesday night, this list is your new binge.

The First Nirvana Song Ever Played on the Radio Is Up for Auction

Before “Smells Like Teen Spirit” blew up MTV and changed rock forever, Nirvana’s first moment on the airwaves came from something a lot scrappier: their 1988 cover of “Love Buzz.”

The song, originally by Dutch rock band Shocking Blue, was the band’s first studio recording to ever get radio play—and it marked the beginning of grunge’s slow climb from Seattle basements to global dominance.

Back in ’88, Sub Pop Records had just pressed a few test copies of the band’s debut single. One of those landed in the hands of Scott Vanderpool, a local DJ and Sub Pop insider. The minute it hit his mailbox, Vanderpool threw it on his Seattle radio show. That spin made music history, even if nobody realized it at the time.

That very same test pressing—a 7-inch vinyl stamped with the Sub Pop logo—is now up for auction.

As of last night, bidding had already hit $8,500 (and you might want to check if it’s climbed since). It’s a rare piece of early Nirvana lore, representing the moment they went from garage band to on-air artists.

“Love Buzz” went on to appear on Nirvana’s 1989 debut album Bleach, the raw, heavy record that first showcased Kurt Cobain’s growl and the band’s signature mix of punk energy and melodic hooks.

It might not have topped charts, but Bleach built the underground buzz that set the stage for Nevermind just two years later.

For fans of vinyl, Sub Pop, or Seattle’s legendary grunge scene, this auction isn’t just about owning a record—it’s about holding a piece of rock history. Not bad for a $1 single from a tiny indie label that once just hoped people would listen.

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