Music

Music

The Great Gatsby Soundtrack: The 4 Standout Tracks

The Great Gatsby arrives in theaters this weekend, but we're focusing on another treat from the film: the soundtrack.

The Great Gatsby arrives in theaters this weekend, but we're focusing on another treat from the film: the soundtrack. The collection compiled by Jay-Z is out this week, and we've been streaming it nonstop — both imagining where the songs fit into Baz Luhrmann's adaptation and loving them on their own. With artists like The xx, Jack White, Florence + The Machine, and Jay-Z himself, the soundtrack is eclectic and ambitious, and I'm already addicted to the compilation and its very cinematic, bold feel. Find out which songs I think stand on their own.

  1. "Back to Black" by Beyoncé and André 3000: It's hard to improve upon this Amy Winehouse song, and thankfully, no one is trying to outdo Amy vocally. Instead, it's a truly creative reworking of the song that gives it a brand-new, awesomely edgy sound. And as much as I love Beyoncé, it's André's part that's more evocative.
  2. "Young and Beautiful" by Lana Del Rey: This haunting ballad captures the doomed romantic feel of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan's entanglement — it's beautiful and sad and on a grand scale.
  3. "Love Is the Drug" by The Bryan Ferry Orchestra: This is probably the most authentic-sounding song for the 1920s era, because of the legitimate jazz outfit supplying it (they're also the band on another of the soundtrack's songs: the "Crazy in Love" cover). The upbeat tempo distracts from the underlying morose theme (which is very Gatsby).
  4. "Bang Bang" by will.i.am: The Black Eyed Peas frontman's track mixes big band with a thumping club beat. Pretty much what you'd imagine the revelers to be dancing to in Gatsby's home.
Music

Watch The Lonely Island's New Video, Featuring James Franco & More Guests!

Ready for the middle of your week to get awesome?

Ready for the middle of your week to get awesome? Andy Samberg's group, The Lonely Island, is releasing a new video or song every Wednesday until the release of their latest, The Wack Album, on June 11. Today kicks off "Wack Wednesdays" with a video for "Spring Break Anthem," which fittingly starts out with Spring Breakers star James Franco as a guest on Zach Galifianakis's Between Two Ferns. It's an ode to crazy Spring breaks . . . with a bit of gay marriage worked in. You have to watch, if simply to hear the lyrics "beer goggles if she's a hag" and "find Mr. Right and get monogamous" fit seamlessly into the same song.

Music

Wedding Music: The Ultimate Oldies Playlist

Music sets the tone for a wedding reception, so if you're hoping to get the party going with some classic songs, we've pulled the best oldies hits to play on your big day.

Music sets the tone for a wedding reception, so if you're hoping to get the party going with some classic songs, we've pulled the best oldies hits to play on your big day. With a mix of sweet slow songs for first dances, memorable Motown numbers, and rock 'n' roll dance hits, these picks from the '50s, '60s, and '70s are sure to get your guests on their feet. Take a look at the top hits for the ultimate oldies wedding playlist!

Music

Would You Hit the Hay With These Country Crooners?

Stagecoach — aka Coachella for country music fans — is this weekend, and the music fest has a long history of mighty fine country star performers.

Stagecoach — aka Coachella for country music fans — is this weekend, and the music fest has a long history of mighty fine country star performers. Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton both performed last year, and this weekend performers include Dierks Bentley and Lady Antebellum's Charles Kelley. There's just something about a cowboy singer who can play a mean guitar and belt out a twangy love song that makes you want to hit the hay with him. But whether they're dressed up for an event or in their jeans and plaid on the stage, these honky-tonk musicians are homegrown hotties!

relationships

Feel the Stagecoach Love With Cute Music Festival Couples

The dust is gettin' kicked up again in Indio, CA, but this time with cowboy boots as the Stagecoach country music festival begins today at the same spot as Coachella.

The dust is gettin' kicked up again in Indio, CA, but this time with cowboy boots as the Stagecoach country music festival begins today at the same spot as Coachella. And we're feeling the music festival love as the season heats up. Besides the fun of rockin' out with friends and catching those first rays of the warmer seasons, there's also plenty of romance in the air at music fests. Whether you go with a new boyfriend, bring along a longtime love, or meet a new guy in the beer line, there's something about the tunes, booze, and sun of a music festival that sets the mood. Let's look back at some of the cute couples we've spotted smooching, snuggling, and dancing at the fests that have taken place — rain or shine — all over the world. Get inspired for some springtime lovin' now!

Music

Wedding Music Guide: The Tunes You Need to Pick Out For the Big Day

Music is a big part of most weddings, and if you've already started planning one, you know there are more than a few decisions to be made.

Music is a big part of most weddings, and if you've already started planning one, you know there are more than a few decisions to be made. Whether you decide to hire a band or a DJ or provide the wedding's soundtrack with your own iPod, we have a wedding music guide to help you through. Below, you'll find all the major categories for music you'll need to figure out, as well as other parts of the day you may not have thought of yet.

Check out the list for guidelines on music you need to think about, whether you're an indie rock bride or a country Western couple, after the jump.

summer

Summer Concert Guide: See Which Artists Are Touring

We've already given you a guide to all the music festivals to hit up this Summer, and now we're bringing you the biggest concert tours to see in the upcoming months.

We've already given you a guide to all the music festivals to hit up this Summer, and now we're bringing you the biggest concert tours to see in the upcoming months. With megastars like Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z teaming up, Beyoncé's Mrs. Carter Show world tour, and lots of rock legends on the road, trust us when we say these are musical performances you don't want to miss. Click through to get the scoop on dates, opening acts, and more.

Music

The Ultimate Indie Rock Wedding Playlist

If you're the type of person whose music tastes are a little more eclectic, chances are you're looking for some indie rock songs to play at your wedding.

If you're the type of person whose music tastes are a little more eclectic, chances are you're looking for some indie rock songs to play at your wedding. Luckily, we've got you covered so you don't have to search through Spotify to compile the perfect guide. Here, check out love tunes from your favorite bands and some lesser-known names you might not be familiar with. Some are romantic enough for the first dance, and others are a bit more upbeat for other parts of the event. Click through for ideas and to listen to each song.

summer

Your Summer Music Festival Guide

We don't know about you, but we're in full Summer music festival swing despite the fact that we're only a few weeks into April.

We don't know about you, but we're in full Summer music festival swing despite the fact that we're only a few weeks into April. Coachella weekend two is upon us and the Outside Lands lineup was just announced, so we're getting pumped about all the outdoor music coming up. That's why we've gotten a jump start and put together a guide for you of the biggest festivals for the season ahead. Check it out and tell us which one you want to hit up most!

Music

Movie Karaoke: The Best Singing Moments From Nonmusicals

It's National Karaoke Week, and while you might be a little too shy to sing your guts out in public, actors generally aren't.

It's National Karaoke Week, and while you might be a little too shy to sing your guts out in public, actors generally aren't. I love hearing stars belting out music in movies, but I'm not talking about polished musicals — I'm talking about funny, sometimes embarrassing, and sometimes surprisingly pitch-perfect singing in movies. If you can't hear the song "Pocketful of Sunshine" without thinking of Emma Stone, or if the oldie "These Eyes" reminds you of Superbad, then you'll get a kick out of this slideshow. Click through to watch the clips and sing along while your favorite actors are singing along.