Music & Culture

Music & Culture

How Australia's Unofficial Christmas Anthem Came To Be

8:01am December 22, 2018

In 1996, musician Paul Kelly released a song from the point of view of a man in prison thinking of family and friends celebrating Christmas without him. "How to Make Gravy" remains a hit.

Music & Culture

What Inspired Singer JD McPherson's Christmas Album

8:01am December 22, 2018

NPR's Scott Simon talks to McPherson about "Socks," his new holiday album of original songs.

Lin-Manuel Miranda, Barack Obama Collaborate On Gospel Version Of 'Hamilton' Song

8:01am December 22, 2018

by Scott Simon

Barack Obama appears on the new song, "One Last Time (44 Remix)." Originally from the Broadway hit "Hamilton," Lin-Manuel Miranda reworked the number and included the former president.

Jon Batiste led a star-studded cast, including Mavis Staples, through the civil rights-themed set A Change Is Gonna Come.

Music & Culture

A Change Is Gonna Come, Live In Concert : Newport Folk 2018

7:00am December 22, 2018

by Lauren Onkey

Jon Batiste led a star-studded cast — including Mavis Staples, the Dap-Kings, Chris Thile and Brandi Carlile — through the civil rights-themed set.

Kacey Musgraves had one of country music's biggest albums of 2018, but it came only after she shrugged off any lingering obligation to pursue radio airplay.

Music & Culture

A Portrait Of A Subtly Changing Nashville From 25 Angles

6:40pm December 21, 2018

by Jewly Hight

If you look at it broadly, the country music scene can appear frustratingly stagnant, with little growth for women and trailblazers. But from every corner, a rising generation is making progress.

Janelle Monae attends the Hollywood premiere of Black Panther in January 2018.

Music & Culture

Janelle Monáe On Her 'Dirty,' World-Dominating Year

6:01pm December 21, 2018

Monáe's Dirty Computer can be found on just about every list of the best albums of 2018 — and it topped NPR's. The songwriter, actress and self-styled media exec says it could only have happened now.

Queue Listen Now

Just a little of our year's worth of listening.

Music & Culture

Our Listeners Speak Up: Your Best Of 2018

3:54pm December 21, 2018

Alt.Latino reviews some of the best 2018 music recommendations from listeners — and welcomes back a dear friend.

Loudon Wainwright III Opens Up About The 'Exes & Excess' That Inform His Music

1:40pm December 21, 2018

by Terry Gross

Wainwright's music centers on family, and how we hurt and heal each other. He spoke to Fresh Air in 1992 and '17 about his life as a husband, father and son. His new Netflix special is Surviving Twin.

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Former U.S. President Barack Obama guests on the latest Hamilton remix.

Music & Culture

Barack Obama Brings Lin-Manuel Miranda's 'Hamildrops' Series Full Circle

11:36am December 21, 2018

by Daoud Tyler-Ameen

In a remix featuring Christopher Jackson and BeBe Winans, Obama channels the viral "Yes We Can" video from the 2008 campaign that inspired Hamilton's "One Last Time" in the first place.

David Byrne (left) with World Cafe host Talia Schlanger backstage at the 2018 XPoNential Music Festival.

Music & Culture

10 World Cafe Quotes From 2018 That Still Resonate

10:08am December 21, 2018

by Talia Schlanger

Sage advice from Rosanne Cash, a very David Byrne-ian one-liner and more: These are the quotes that stuck with World Cafe host Talia Schlanger this year.