Music

Fire has been the fuel of creativity in art and music.

What Do Alicia Keys, the Boss and Wagner Have in Common?

From the classical era to modern music, flames have lent a spark to some of the greatest tunes of all time

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Recapping “The Jetsons”: Episode 02 – A Date With Jet Screamer

The Jetson family's descent into sex, drugs and rock & roll

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How Do Our Brains Process Music?

In an excerpt from his new book, David Byrne explains why sometimes, he prefers hearing nothing

David Byrne, shown in his New York City office in 2009.

David Byrne Offers Advice on How to Enjoy Music

What is it about place that makes music special? The rock star dissects what he enjoys about what he hears, from opera to jazz to radio hits

Biking while wearing stretchy knit hot pants, 1972

Hit-Making Hot Pants

In 1971, the eye-popping short shorts fad caught the attention of pop singers

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Yesterday’s Tomorrows: How a Smithsonian Exhibit I Never Saw Changed My Life

Meet the historians who pioneered scholarship of retro-futurism

Tenor Darren Abraham plays Albert White, the previously unsung steelworker and bicycling champ.

An Opera for an English Olympic Hero

Lal White was forgotten by many, even residents of his small English factory town, but the whimsical Cycle Song hopes to change that

Chuck Brown pioneered the genre of Go-Go and became intricately connected with DC's cultural identity.

Chuck Brown, Godfather of Go-Go, Dies at 75, But Will Live on at the Smithsonian

The guitarist and singer pioneered the genre of Go-Go and became intricately connected with DC's cultural identity

The Golden Record consists of 115 analog-encoded photographs, greetings in 55 languages, a 12-minute montage of sounds on Earth and 90 minutes of music.

What Is on Voyager’s Golden Record?

From a whale song to a kiss, the time capsule sent into space in 1977 had some interesting contents

British musician Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones performs on stage during the band's 'Voodoo Lounge' tour, late 1994.

Five New Books That Will Rock You Like a Hurricane

The '70s music scene is being reexamined in these books by and about the major players of rock 'n' roll

An advertising campaign from the American Federation of Musicians

Musicians Wage War Against Evil Robots

According to author Eric Klinenberg, there are more than 32 million people living alone—about 28 percent of all households.

Eric Klinenberg on Going Solo

The surprising benefits, to oneself and to society, of living alone

Title card from the 1922 short silent film "Eve's Wireless"

A Mobile Phone From 1922? Not Quite

History often plays linguistic tricks on us, especially when it comes to rapidly changing technologies

The rusted three-story hubcap- and bicycle-based Cathedral of Junk was created by Vince Hannemann, a South Austin guy who decided his backyard was as good a place as any to build a cathedral.

Keeping it Weird in Austin, Texas

Aren't the residents of the proudly hip city of Austin, Texas, just traditionalists at heart?

Christmas in the future as imagined in the 1981 book "Tomorrow's Home" by Neil Ardley

Santa’s Trusty Robot Reindeer

A special visit from the Ghost of Christmas Retro-Future

Pete Seeger sings the holiday classics on Smithsonian Folkways' "Traditional Christmas Carols."

The List: Smithsonian Folkways’ Holiday Music

This holiday season, gather the family to listen to some of your favorite classics from the Folkways collection

There are several accounts of Confederate and Union troops camped near one another harmonizing "Home, Sweet Home!" across the battle lines.

The Sentimental Ballad of the Civil War

Forget “Dixie,” it was one New Yorker’s “Home Sweet Home” that was the song most beloved by Union and Confederate soldiers

Former Grateful Dead percussionist Mickey Hart on the drum kit

The Mickey Hart Collection in Rhythm with the World

Former Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart's curates a 25-album series of world music for Smithsonian Folkways that drops next week

Gene Autry, known as the Singing Cowboy, epitomized the western star, performing in movies, television and radio for more than three decades.

The Cowboy in Country Music

In his new book, music historian Don Cusic recounts the enduring icons of western music and their indelible mark on pop culture

"Honeyboy" Edwards' album with Smithsonian Folkways, "Mississippi Delta Bluesman"

Remembering David “Honeyboy” Edwards

Delta blues musician "Honeyboy" Edwards is dead at 96; Hear some of his music from the Smithsonian Folkways archives

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