Why cry over ‘Someone’?Stephan Pennington, an assistant professor of music at Tufts University, says songs most likely to make people cry combine emotional lyrics with music that amplifies those feelings. “Music can do that any number of ways,’’ he said, “from using instruments we associate with sadness, like swelling string sections, to crafting music with dark minor harmonies.’’ One of the things that makes “Someone Like You’’ so heartbreaking, he explained, is that Adele insists that she will move on and everything will get better, but the music tells you that isn’t true. “It circles around the same notes never resolving, never finding peace.’’
M.I.A. flips bird during Super Bowl halftime showFor all the pomp and excess of Madonna's Super Bowl halftime extravaganza a single extended middle finger by guest singer M.I.A. is likely to be the most remembered piece of the show.
Chris Brown set to take the stage at the GrammysChris Brown will perform at this year's Grammy Awards, the event where his career almost ended three years ago.
Madonna's first tour since '09 to start in IsraelMadonna's not finished with stadiums. Live Nation Entertainment announced Tuesday that the Material Girl's first tour since 2009 will include a Sept. 6 show at Yankee Stadium.
J. Cole is in a Jay-Z state of mindJ. Cole has a huge appetite when it comes to his career. Although he's got a platinum single, a gold album and a Grammy nomination for best new artist, he wants more.
Katy Perry, Russell Brand finalize divorceA judge has granted Katy Perry and Russell Brand a divorce, although the pair won't be legally split up until July.
McCartney to debut new songs live on iTunes streamPaul McCartney will debut the songs from his new album "Kisses on the Bottom" in a free live streaming performance on iTunes.
Ga. county buys folk artist's 'Paradise Garden'A northwestern Georgia county has bought the garden where folk artist Howard Finster held court for tourists and art lovers from around the world.
The Beach Boys to start party early at GrammysGet the sunglasses and tanning oil out: The Beach Boys are reuniting at The Grammys Awards for their first live performance in more than two decades.
Charge against country star Rodney Atkins retiredCountry music singer Rodney Atkins will not be prosecuted on a misdemeanor domestic assault charge if he continues to meet court-ordered conditions.
Dierks Bentley returns 'Home' to mainstream soundDierks Bentley, "Home" (Capitol Nashville) A banjo kicks off Dierks Bentley's new album "Home," recalling a backwoods sound prevalent on his previous, bluegrass-inspired album "Up on the Ridge."
Bruno Mars heads back to Grammys with SmeezingtonsA whiteboard hangs on the wall of the tiny Hollywood studio used by the Smeezingtons, Bruno Mars' production and songwriting team. It's filled with doodles, including a picture of Alf and a joking note that producer-engineer Ari Levine "hangs out with Jamaican drug lords on the reg."
Company: Sugarland resisted delaying Ind. concertCountry duo Sugarland resisted delaying the start of a concert last August at the Indiana State Fair despite threatening weather that later caused a deadly stage collapse, the fair's top official testified in a lawsuit against the company that built the stage rigging.
Review: Harrelson rages in weary LA noir 'Rampart'The crazy eyes and idiosyncratic drawl of Woody Harrelson are enough to carry the dirty cop study "Rampart," but even such powers as those can't make engaging this weary L.A. noir.
Coroner rules Don Cornelius' death a suicideCoroner's officials on Tuesday ruled Don Cornelius' death a suicide, nearly a week after the "Soul Train" creator and host killed himself with a gunshot to the head.
Grammys to feature first dance music segmentGrammy show producer Ken Ehrlich had considered putting dancing/electronica music into the ceremony in the past, but could never quite figure out how to incorporate the high-energy club feel in front of a sometimes staid audience.
The top 10 songs and albums on the iTunes StoreiTunes' Official Music Charts for the week ending Feb. 6, 2012: Top Songs:
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Review: McCartney's first disc of standardsPaul McCartney, "Kisses on the Bottom," (Hear Music) Paul McCartney paints such a fun picture of holiday "singsongs" at his childhood home, with the rugs rolled back and his dad on piano, that it's a shock his first album of standards is a stone-cold drag.
Taiwanese-Japanese star implicated in beatingProsecutors say Taiwanese-Japanese starlet Makiyo has been barred from leaving Taiwan pending an investigation into her alleged involvement in the beating of a taxi driver in Taipei.
Paul McCartney to headline monarch's concertFormer Beatle Paul McCartney will star in a musical tribute to Britain's queen to mark her Diamond Jubilee.
Sir Paul, Elton, other stars to perform for queenSome of the world's biggest pop stars will perform in front of Buckingham Palace on June 4 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, palace officials said Tuesday.
Look at him now: Chris Brown winning as rapperChris Brown is known pop singer, a slick bedroom crooner and at other times, a Euro-flavored dance singer. But it's his rapping that has taken his career to new heights.
Cash's 80th birthday, legacy to be celebratedJohnny Cash is still cool. Like Elvis or Hank Williams, Cash retains a certain cachet in current popular culture even in death. More proof of his enduring legend is on the way as plans to celebrate what would have been the American icon's 80th birthday unfold later this month and year.
Jay-Z enters new musical heights at Carnegie HallAs Jay-Z transitioned from hit song to hit song at a Carnegie Hall concert Monday night, so did the lighting, changing from red to white to blue.
APNewsBreak: Chris Brown to perform at the GrammysChris Brown will perform at this year's Grammy Awards, the event where his career almost ended three years ago.
