Performance stories, songwriting context and closer listening across our complete 750-article music collection.
750 stories
Simone Alexander and fellow singers perform Aly Halpert’s “Loosen” in a train carriage. Layered voices give the repeating musical phrases a shared sound, with passengers and the…
The Harvard Krokodiloes sing “I Wanna Be Like You” at Sanders Theatre. Featured voices, ensemble harmony and coordinated movement give the Jungle Book song a vocal arrangement…
Johnny Cash presents Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” through voice, guitar and a carefully constructed music video. Close performance images and archival scenes give the recording its visual…
Matt Mauser performs “Against All Odds” during his America’s Got Talent audition. His vocal line and the restrained accompaniment keep the familiar ballad clear, following a personal…
Erin Morton performs Radiohead’s “Creep” with CCM’s student Jam Band. The arrangement moves from restrained lines toward fuller vocal passages, connecting her voice with piano, bass, guitar…
Miley Cyrus and Shawn Mendes sing “Islands in the Stream” at the MusiCares tribute to Dolly Parton. Their voices exchange familiar phrases and meet in harmony, giving…
Maliya and Tay Kabs share familiar soul songs in their parked car. Singing, rhythmic gestures and playful conversation connect the family clip, with the front-seat setting keeping…
Violet Grohl sings Adele’s “When We Were Young” with Dave Grohl on acoustic guitar. Voice and accompaniment give the song a close musical frame during the benefit…
Adam Lambert sings a ballad arrangement of Cher’s “Believe” at the Kennedy Center Honors. His sustained vocal phrases and the measured accompaniment give the familiar dance song…
Kevin Bacon sings “Ain’t No Grave” with acoustic guitar on The Kelly Clarkson Show. The musical exchange develops from his interview with Clarkson, giving the familiar song…
Laura Lace performs JerryC’s “Canon Rock” with a live backing band at a student concert. Her electric guitar carries the recognizable melody through fast passages and sustained…
Justin Bieber and benny blanco present the acoustic version of “Lonely.” A close vocal line and restrained keyboard accompaniment give the song room to develop, with the…