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Colin Kaepernick: National Anthem a ‘Bad Song’ — 1dThe former NFL football player who refused to stand for the U.S. National Anthem is now calling it “bad song” musically. Colin Kaepernick appeared on Wednesday’s episode of “The A… — by Sandra Rhodes

Sam Okafor Kaepernick is right that the anthem is tough to sing, but that has nothing to do with why we stand for it.

North Korean Anthem Played at Asian Games Hockey Match — 1dOrganizers played North Korea's anthem by mistake before South Korea's Sept. 18, 2026 Asian Games hockey match; the announcer said "we played a different song" and South Korea won 5-0.

Priya Raman South Korea handled the win well despite the glitches, but Bangladesh deserved proper respect too.

RTÉ Withdraws from 2027 Eurovision Over Gaza Crisis and Access Concerns — 1dRTÉ confirms it will not participate in or broadcast the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest in Bulgaria, citing the appalling and ongoing loss of lives in Gaza and humanitarian concerns, alongside worries about independent access for journalists in the territory. Ireland’s abstention follows its 2026 withdrawal amid broader European boycotts over Israel’s participation and Gaza-related tensions.

Jared Kim The humanitarian issues are too severe for any country to host or join Eurovision right now.

Song Elvis Presley once rejected is still a hit today — Sep 5, 2026

Priya Raman Makes you wonder how many other songs got rejected by big stars and just quietly became classics without anyone noticing the backstory.

The Story of the Singing Revolution in EstoniaGood News — FROM 1987Citizens reclaim independence through song festivals

Five Enduring Songs Span Generations — 5dAcross five profiles, the stories behind enduring songs reveal how personal upheaval and real-life episodes fuel iconic music: Dancing in the Moonlight grew from a violent St. Croix assault that inspired Sherman Kelly to write a hopeful anthem; Wasted Days and Wasted Nights emerged after Freddy Fender’s legal troubles delayed its release; These Days, Browne’s youthful ballad, has endured as a powerful reflection on youth and regret; Moonlight Feels Right became Starbuck’s breakthrough with its distinctive marimba-driven sound; and Alice’s Restaurant Massacred was born from Guthrie’s Thanksgiving littering arrest, a satire that shaped his anti-war-era classic.

Country Songs Penned by Helicopter Pilot and 13-Year-Old Became Chart Hits — 6dA set of origin stories highlights how iconic songs and careers were shaped by quick inspiration, youthful breakthroughs, and unlikely paths—from Loretta Lynn writing You Ain’t Woman Enough in 10 minutes after a backstage confrontation, to Tanya Tucker recording The Jamestown Ferry at 13, and Barry White turning a country tune into a soul classic with You’re The First, The Last, My Everything. The articles also recount Kris Kristofferson’s Me and Bobby McGee written during Gulf of Mexico helicopter work, and Tucker’s hit Love’s the Answer marking an early peak in a long, Hall of Fame career.

Rachel Meyers Kris writing Me and Bobby McGee between helicopter flights is the kind of detail that makes you appreciate how songs really get made.

Despite modest season Ciganda seals Europe’s 15-13 Solheim Cup win — 3dCarlota Ciganda, despite a modest LPGA résumé, emerges as a different, more formidable force in the Solheim Cup, delivering the winning point for Europe and stoking a team-wide surge against the Americans. The episodes of Europe’s jubilant bus song and the personal payoff for Ciganda highlight Europe’s edge in the rivalry and the memorable shift in Ciganda’s career during this event.

Rachel Meyers Her modest record makes the whole story better because she still delivered when the pressure was highest for the team.

The Story of the Trapp Family's Escape and MusicGood News — FROM 1938Austrian family flees Nazis and shares songs worldwide

Roundabout and Alfie Still Reach New Listeners 50 Years Later — Sep 11, 2026Across decades, enduring songs connect moments to memories: Yes’s Roundabout from Fragile became a perennial gateway for new listeners, Cilla Black’s Alfie cross-pollinated UK and U.S. charts, and Celine Dion’s return performance highlighted the staying power of All by Myself despite health battles; Neil Diamond’s Sunday and Me marked a breakthrough in his songwriting with Jay and the Americans, while Five for Fighting’s John Ondrasik reflects on how Tuesday preserves the meaning of 9/11. These pieces illustrate how songs outlive their original moments, shaping cultural memory and personal narratives for generations to come.

Fanny Crosby Trusts Christ at the RevivalGood News — FROM 1850Blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby responds to an altar call and begins composing thousands of gospel songs.

Five enduring songs emerge from personal stories and social concerns — Sep 10, 2026From Elton John and Bernie Taupin’s Your Song, born of teenage lyric writing and a rapid studio turnaround, to Pink Floyd’s Shine On You Crazy Diamond, which fused archival wine-glass recordings into a timeless opening, these iconic tracks showcase bold experimentation and lasting cultural impact; Joni Mitchell’s Big Yellow Taxi warned of environmental loss with a bright folk sound, while Graham Nash’s Teach Your Children stressed social responsibility through generations; Supertramp’s Give a Little Bit, written in youth and shaped by love as a universal message, became a staple of charity-minded rock.

Olivia Rodrigo accuses DHS of using her song as a distraction — Sep 3, 2026Olivia Rodrigo says the Trump administration uses public feuds with musicians as a distraction from its policies, following the DHS’s use of her song to promote immigration enforcement. She has spoken out against the move, called it awful, and has organized advocacy efforts and highlighted other artists who have criticized similar uses of their music.

Sam Okafor Good for her for speaking up. Musicians should have a say when their work gets used to sell policies they never agreed to promote.

Five Rock Hits Drew From Unexpected Personal Inspirations — Sep 10, 2026The five articles trace the enduring legacies of classic songs from the 1960s and 1970s, highlighting personal inspirations and breakout chart success: Shannon by Henry Gross was shaped by a meeting with Carl Wilson over a shared dog and completed quickly after grounding himself with ocean sounds, Winchester Cathedral by The New Vaudeville Band rode a calendar image to a UK top five and a Grammy win, For a Dancer by Jackson Browne emerged from personal loss, Hang On Sloopy by The McCoys became a defining garage-rock hit, and Baby, I Love Your Way by Peter Frampton gained massive popularity after the live Frampton Comes Alive! performance. Together, the pieces emphasize how intimate experiences and live-recorded moments helped these songs achieve lasting cultural resonance.

Iconic Songs Endure Through Diverse CoversEntertainment — Aug 31, 2026Artists across decades reshaped songs—from George Harrison's slower, rootsy take on Bob Dylan's If Not For You to Harry Belafonte's soulful twist on Tomorrow Is a Long Time—demonstrating how covers can redefine a tune's legacy. Iconic tracks like Jackson Browne's Nothing But Time recorded on a moving tour bus for Running on Empty and the long road of Seasons in the Sun from Le Moribond through early Beach Boys sessions to Terry Jacks' 1974 hit show how production contexts and reinterpretations deepen a song's enduring impact.

Midler, Tyrese Clash Over AI-Generated Song — Aug 22, 2026AI-generated song Celebrate Me by IngaRose has sparked a feud with Bette Midler calling it cultural genocide and Tyrese Gibson defending the track, arguing AI is here to stay and that the song inspired him, while IngaRose’s team emphasizes human-written lyrics paired with Suno’s tech.

Alan Jackson Releases Live Version of 9/11 Anthem From Farewell Concert — Sep 10, 2026Alan Jackson marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 by releasing a newly recorded live version of “Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)” from his final Nashville farewell concert, underscoring the song’s enduring role in national reflection. The release, tied to his career-spanning farewell performance and a forthcoming live album, follows the track’s origins after 9/11 and its sustained resonance with audiences and radio alike.

Beyoncé Hits No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs ChartReporting — Feb 21, 2024Beyoncé is used to having a No. 1 song. The catch this time is it’s a country song. “Texas Hold ‘Em” debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart on Tuesday, the publication announced. She is the first Black…

Overlooked Rock Songs Resurface in Major Rankings — Sep 10, 2026David Bowie’s generosity helped shape Mott the Hoople’s fate, as they passed on Suffragette City in favor of All The Young Dudes, a choice that boosted both artist and band. Across other legends, fans and critics spotlight underrated or overlooked tracks—Simon & Garfunkel’s enduring repertoire, The Rolling Stones’ Heaven as a seeming departure from their usual sound, Jethro Tull’s My God as an underrated deep cut, and Black Sabbath’s War Pigs hailed as a significant protest staple.

Brenda Song makes NFL broadcasting debut for Rams in preseason game — Aug 22, 2026Brenda Song, the former Disney Channel star and Rams superfan, made her NFL color-commentary debut in the Rams-Saints preseason, drawing attention for her knowledge and enthusiastic insights in the broadcast booth. The coverage portrays Song as increasingly integrated into football broadcasting, with multiple reports highlighting her prior in-booth appearances and growing role in NFL game-day commentary.

Nirvana's Something in the Way ranked third on Far Out’s list of most depressing rock songs — Aug 30, 2026Nirvana’s “Something in the Way” was born from studio chaos, with Kurt Cobain pivoting to an acoustic couch performance that produced the track’s haunting, subdued feel and later placement on lists of the most depressing rock songs. The band’s resilient 1992 Reading Festival set, despite surrounding health rumors, featured Cobain’s wheelchair entrance and an electric performance that underscored their enduring impact.

Musicians Bring Improvisation to Military Labs and Heritage Festivals — Sep 9, 2026A cross-section of musicians and enthusiasts show how improvisation, heritage, and cross-disciplinary creativity drive music across contexts—from Miles Davis’s largely improvised film score and a tech-focused think tank built around creative disruption, to communities reviving 1940s wartime songs, preserving Scandinavian accordion traditions, and a Vietnamese-trained engineer pursuing classical guitar.

Beyoncé Sparks Controversy Over Language in One of Her SongsReporting — Aug 1, 2022Beyoncé is facing backlash over language included in one of her latest songs. Critics are going after the singer over her use of ableist language in her new song “Heated.” Hannah Diviney penned an op-ed for The Guardian…

Love You to Death Tops Revolver’s Greatest Metal Love Songs List — Aug 26, 2026From Revolver’s ranking of Type O Negative’s "Love You to Death" as the top metal love song to enduring classics by Dolly Parton, the Beatles, and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, these articles trace how a wide range of artists and eras have produced genre-defining songs that continue to resonate. The selections span metal, 1980s pop ballads by superstar solo women, classic soft rock, and landmark releases tied to Apple Records, illustrating the enduring pull of iconic tracks across rock, pop, and country.