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100 Of The Best Songs To Listen To On Headphones

Eric Alper

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Nov 14, 2025

100 Of The Best Songs To Listen To On Headphones

Some songs just open up the second you hit that noise-cancelling button. Tiny textures suddenly bloom. Hidden layers wrap around your brain. A faint synth you never noticed before starts dancing behind your eyes. Here are 100 songs full of immersive headphone magic.

“10,000 Days (Wings Pt. 2)” – Tool
“10,000 Years Won’t Save Your Life” – Hammock
“A Day in the Life” – The Beatles
“A Three Legged Workhorse” – This Will Destroy You
“Aenema” – Tool
“All Is Violent, All Is Bright” – God Is An Astronaut
“Angel” – Massive Attack
“And You And I” – Yes
“Aquarius” – Boards of Canada
“Ascensionism” – Sleep Token
“Across the Universe” – The Beatles
“Because” – The Beatles
“Black” – Pearl Jam
“Blue World” – Mac Miller
“Borderline” – Tame Impala
“Brain Damage” – Pink Floyd
“Bring Me the Horizon – Ludens” – Bring Me the Horizon
“Come Together” – The Beatles
“Cornfield Chase” – Hans Zimmer
“Dead Goon” – Mr. Bungle
“Dead Man Walking” – Brent Faiyaz
“Discovery” – Alan In Space
“Dogs” – Pink Floyd
“Doomed” – Bring Me the Horizon
“Drop It Like It’s Hot” – Snoop Dogg
“Echoes” – Pink Floyd
“Eleanor Rigby” – The Beatles
“Epiphlioy” – Ozric Tentacles
“Esmerelda” – Rajstar
“ET Finger” – Bro Safari
“Exit Music (For a Film)” – Radiohead
“Father Cannot Yell” – Can
“Gardenia” – Afternoon
“God Only Knows” – The Beach Boys
“Godless” – Away & One True God
“G.O.A.T.” – Polyphia
“Good News” – Mac Miller
“Helter Skelter” – The Beatles
“Homage” – Mild High Club
“Hotel California” – The Eagles
“I Am the Walrus” – The Beatles
“I’d Love to Change the World (Matstubs Remix)” – Jetta
“I Follow Rivers (Magician Remix)” – Lykke Li
“In My Life” – The Beatles
“In the Air Tonight” – Phil Collins
“In the Flowers” – Animal Collective
“In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida” – Iron Butterfly
“Innuendo” – Queen
“Indigo Children (JLE Dub Mix)” – Puscifer
“Let It Happen” – Tame Impala
“Leave It” – Yes
“Lonely Soul” – UNKLE
“Lover, You Should’ve Come Over” – Jeff Buckley
“Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” – The Beatles
“Me and Your Mama” – Childish Gambino
“Meaningless Love” – Under The Influence of Giants
“Monument” – Röyksopp & Robyn
“Motherboard” – Daft Punk
“Moving in Stereo” – The Cars
“Murderers” – John Frusciante
“My Guitar Wants to Kill Your Mama” – Frank Zappa
“Nevermore” – Queen
“No Harm” – Editors
“No Quarter” – Led Zeppelin
“Nothingman” – Pearl Jam
“One Love” – Bob Marley
“One More Hour” – Tame Impala
“Outer Beach Dub” – Alan In Space
“Personal Jesus” – Johnny Cash
“Pleasure Is All Mine” – Bjork
“Promise” – Laufey
“Rain” – SWV
“Redbone” – Childish Gambino
“Riders on the Storm” – The Doors
“Salamander” – Maromaro
“Scars” – Bush
“Sedosa” – Mestis
“She Likes the Stormy Weather” – Hammock
“Shower Thoughts” – Lofty’s Comet
“Six Days at the Bottom of the Ocean” – Explosions in the Sky
“Space Song” – Beach House
“Square Hammer” – Ghost
“Strobe” – Deadmau5
“Strawberry Fields Forever” – The Beatles
“Summer Overture” – Clint Mansell
“Take Five” – The Dave Brubeck Quartet
“Tea for Eddie” – Ween
“The Bride and the Bachelor” – Magnolian
“The Discovery” – Alan In Space
“The Final Act” – Mushroomhead
“The Gadfly Suite” – Shostakovich
“The Pot” – Tool
“The Prophet’s Song” – Queen
“The Worst” – Polyphia
“Time Fracture” – Bad History
“Tomorrow Never Knows” – The Beatles
“Tranz” – Gorillaz
“Undertow” – Tool
“Vore” – Sleep Token
“A Gallant Gentleman” – We Lost The Sea
“What I’m Doing Here” – Lake Street Dive
“Whole Lotta Love” – Led Zeppelin
“Wish You Were Here” – Pink Floyd

5 Surprising Facts About LL Cool J’s ‘Radio’

Eric Alper

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Nov 13, 2025

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5 Surprising Facts About LL Cool J’s ‘Radio’

LL Cool J came out the gate in 1985 with fire in his voice, gold in his pen, and a boombox blasting over every block. His debut album ‘Radio’ wasn’t just the first LP from Def Jam—it was a seismic shift. Produced by Rick Rubin with hard-hitting beats and stripped-down swagger, ‘Radio’ brought hip hop from the lunch tables to the charts. One mic, one DJ, and one vision launched LL into legend status, sparking a new-school revolution that echoed coast to coast.

Here are 5 groundbreaking facts about ‘Radio’—the album that lit the fuse and let the bells ring:

1. LL was 17 with a demo and a dream
James Todd Smith sent his homemade tapes all over NYC, but it was Def Jam that saw the vision. His stage name—Ladies Love Cool James—was already a flex. When “I Need a Beat” dropped in 1984, it sold 100,000 copies and made LL a star before the album even hit. That single helped secure Def Jam’s distribution with Columbia and built the hype for ‘Radio’.

2. The first Def Jam album was all street, no filler
‘Radio’ hit with no gimmicks—just raw drum machines, scratching, and LL’s voice tearing through speakers. Rick Rubin’s “Reduced by” production style brought boom-bap minimalism into the mainstream. It was recorded at Chung King Studios and mastered on 42nd Street with one goal: make heads nod and radios explode.

3. “I Can’t Live Without My Radio” made the boombox a star
This wasn’t just a song—it was a street anthem. The JVC RC-M90 on the cover became iconic. LL’s love letter to his radio blasted through Krush Groove, rocked the charts, and landed at No. 15 on the R&B charts. It also brought him to Saturday night TV, where he became the first hip hop artist to perform on American Bandstand.

4. “Rock the Bells” had no bells, just bars
LL dropped the third single from ‘Radio’ with unmatched swagger. The album version skips the bells but not the impact—every rhyme hits like a heavyweight. The original 12-inch version clocked over 7 minutes and inspired remixes, samples, and even LL’s own “Mama Said Knock You Out” years later.

5. ‘Radio’ built the bridge to hip hop’s golden age
This was more than an album—it was a movement. ‘Radio’ kicked open doors for Def Jam, influenced Public Enemy and Boogie Down Productions, and took hip hop from block parties to platinum plaques. LL toured with Run-DMC and Beastie Boys, rocked stages with Cut Creator, and showed the world that hip hop had arrived with power, poetry, and presence.

5 Surprising Facts About Living Colour’s ‘Vivid’

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 13, 2025

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5 Surprising Facts About Living Colour’s ‘Vivid’

Living Colour’s ‘Vivid’ arrived on May 2, 1988 with strength, vision, and sound that stretched across genres and generations. The album reached No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and earned double platinum certification. With sharp lyrics, genre-blending grooves, and unmatched energy, ‘Vivid’ became a landmark in American rock. Every track carried purpose, and every performance left a mark.

Here are 5 powerful facts about the album that continues to shape music today:

1. “Cult of Personality” came from a single jam session
During a rehearsal at their Brooklyn loft, Corey Glover hummed a melody and Vernon Reid flipped through a notebook of phrases. One line—“Look in my eyes, what do you see?”—set the tone. The music followed quickly, and by the end of that session, the band had created their signature song.

2. The riff mixes hard rock with jazz energy
Vernon Reid built the guitar part from a melody Glover sang, using elements that echoed Led Zeppelin and Mahavishnu Orchestra. The result became one of the most recognizable riffs in rock. It appears on multiple “greatest” lists and showcases the band’s musical depth and precision.

3. The lyrics connect world leaders through charisma
“Cult of Personality” includes quotes from Malcolm X, John F. Kennedy, and Franklin D. Roosevelt. The song also names Gandhi, Mussolini, Stalin, and Kennedy in the same verse. Reid described it as a reflection on power, appearance, and influence across political and cultural history.

4. Mick Jagger supported the band early on
After seeing Living Colour perform at CBGB, Mick Jagger produced two of their demos. His interest helped the band sign with Epic Records. They later opened for The Rolling Stones on the Steel Wheels tour, reaching stadium audiences across North America.

5. ‘Vivid’ became a visual and cultural force
The video for “Cult of Personality” earned heavy rotation on MTV and won multiple awards, including Best New Artist at the VMAs. The band performed on Saturday Night Live in 1989 and continued to bring their message to national audiences through television and touring.

5 Surprising Facts About Dire Straits’ ‘Making Movies’

Eric Alper

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Nov 13, 2025

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5 Surprising Facts About Dire Straits’ ‘Making Movies’

No band told a story quite like Dire Straits, and Making Movies plays like their widescreen masterpiece. Released in October 1980, the album brought cinematic scale, heartbreak, street scenes and rock ‘n’ roll swagger to the forefront. With songs like “Romeo and Juliet” and “Tunnel of Love,” the band struck a nerve in the UK and far beyond, reaching platinum status in the US and double platinum in the UK. Toss in a little Springsteen influence, a family split, and a real-life Rollergirl, and you’ve got a record that lives up to its name.

Here are 5 wild facts about Making Movies that belong in the director’s cut:

1. Springsteen’s Crew Joins the Cast
Producer Jimmy Iovine comes on board after Knopfler hears his work on Patti Smith’s “Because the Night.” Iovine brings along E Street Band legend Roy Bittan to play piano on the record. Bittan’s swirling part on “Tunnel of Love” borrows from his own “Jungleland” intro. Springsteen energy flows right through the heart of these sessions.

2. David Knopfler Exits Stage Left
Mid-recording, David Knopfler parts ways with the band after tensions rise with his brother Mark. His guitar tracks are mostly complete but get re-recorded by Mark. Sid McGinnis fills in the rest, uncredited. The final product keeps moving, and the lineup evolves right after release with Alan Clark and Hal Lindes stepping in.

3. Romeo and Juliet Was Personal
The album’s best-known song tells a tale of lost love and mixed signals, and it hits even harder once you know it was inspired by Mark Knopfler’s breakup with Holly Vincent. Her real-life interview quote—“I had a scene with Mark Knopfler”—ends up as a lyric. That iconic arpeggiated intro? Played on a National Style “O” guitar, just like the one on the Brothers in Arms cover.

4. Tunnel of Love Starts With a Waltz
The album kicks off with “Tunnel of Love,” and before Knopfler sings a word, the band plays “The Carousel Waltz” by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Clocking in over 8 minutes, it becomes a concert staple. The track finds new life in the 1982 film An Officer and a Gentleman, adding even more magic to its fairground sweep.

5. Rollergirl Was Presidential
The music video for “Skateaway” stars Jayzik Azikiwe, who rolls through city streets with headphones and poise. She was credited as Jay Carly in the clip directed by Lester Bookbinder. Behind the skates? She’s the daughter of Nigeria’s first president, Nnamdi Azikiwe. A cult visual moment with MTV love and global flair.

5 Surprising Facts About R.E.M.’s ‘Document’

Eric Alper

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Nov 13, 2025

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5 Surprising Facts About R.E.M.’s ‘Document’

When R.E.M. dropped Document on September 1, 1987, the alternative rock scene opened wide and never looked back. The band’s fifth studio album lit up the Billboard 200, broke into the Top 10 for the first time, and delivered their first platinum plaque. From distorted sax solos to fast-talking doomsday rants, Document opened a new chapter in R.E.M.’s sound—louder, clearer, bolder. It marks the beginning of their decade-long creative partnership with Scott Litt and proves that five really is a magic number.

Here are 5 wild facts about the album that gave us “The One I Love,” a song, a scream, a simple prop to occupy your time:

1. Scott Litt Enters the Chat
Document is the first R.E.M. album co-produced by the band and Scott Litt, launching a streak of six albums together. His crisp production lets the vocals shine and guitars punch harder. This move helped the band edge toward the mainstream, while still keeping their weird intact. Litt sticks around for the ride through Green, Out of Time, Automatic for the People, Monster, and New Adventures in Hi-Fi.

2. The Saxophone? On an R.E.M. Album? Yes.
The band adds a saxophone to “Fireplace,” played by Steve Berlin of Los Lobos. His connection to Scott Litt brings the instrument into the fold. A dulcimer also pops up on “King of Birds,” proving R.E.M. was deep in their “let’s try everything” era. That spirit soon leads to mandolins, instrument-swapping, and a whole new R.E.M. soundscape.

3. File Under: Fire. Seriously.
The album cover says “File under Fire,” a nod to both the central theme and the chorus of “The One I Love.” Other working titles included “R.E.M. No. 5,” “Table of Content,” and the delightfully strange “Mr. Evil Breakfast.” Peter Buck floated “Last Train to Disneyland,” inspired by Ronald Reagan’s America feeling a bit too theme park-ish. All of them live in the liner notes.

4. It’s the Stream of Consciousness as We Know It
“It’s the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine)” drops a lyrical tornado of TV snippets, dream sequences, and famous L.B.s—Leonard Bernstein, Lenny Bruce, Leonid Brezhnev, and Lester Bangs. Stipe dreams them into existence at a party where everyone shares the same initials. The song’s roots trace back to a track called “PSA,” later reborn as “Bad Day” in 2003.

5. “The One I Love” Becomes the One They All Love
R.E.M.’s first Top 10 hit lands at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and later climbs the UK charts too. The track becomes a radio dedication staple, though its lyrics tell a much deeper story. Michael Stipe calls it “incredibly violent,” but he’s also fine with people thinking it’s a love song. The video? Directed by artist Robert Longo, with Alton Brown as director of photography.

Roses in December Unleash ‘Divided and Conquered’ EP On November 7

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 13, 2025

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Roses in December Unleash ‘Divided and Conquered’ EP On November 7

Roses in December return with a vengeance. Their new EP ‘Divided and Conquered’ arrives November 7, 2025, and it’s a blistering, chaotic statement from one of the UK’s most uncompromising punk bands. Fueled by punchy riffs, snarling distortion, and raw vocals, the EP captures the band at their most volatile, channeling the absurdity of modern Britain through a cartoon lens.

“We decided to walk into the studio with no demos and no safety net. Just raw emotion,” the band shares. “It’s the closest we’ve ever sounded to the practice room – slightly unhinged, on the brink of collapse, but somehow holding it together.”

https://open.spotify.com/album/2H3n5xJCr2d4pNEMBLbKqE?si=nmdkHGEOTc-uQ4OduqIrPg

Recorded at Blank Studios in Newcastle with Sam Grant of Pigs x7, the EP weaponizes chaos. Tracks like “Battleship Boomer” and “In The Channel of a Hate Crime” explode with satirical fury, while “Sharks” turns tragedy into a sea-sprayed anthem. The artwork by Viz Comics cartoonist Lee Healey features a wilted red rose, nodding to Labour symbolism and Newcastle’s heritage.

The band, formerly known as Crux, has earned support from BBC tastemakers and played sold-out shows across the UK. A headline gig at Three Tanners Bank follows the EP’s release on November 8. ‘Divided and Conquered’ is brutal, relentless, and defiantly Northern—punk with purpose, and a scream into the void that demands to be heard.

Killian Ruffley Unveils Soul-Stirring New Single ‘Honeycomb’

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 13, 2025

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Killian Ruffley Unveils Soul-Stirring New Single ‘Honeycomb’

Irish singer-songwriter Killian Ruffley returns with a quietly powerful new single titled ‘Honeycomb’, now available on all major streaming platforms. A gentle storm of Indie Folk, Acoustic Rock, and emotionally atmospheric songwriting, the track showcases Ruffley at his most vulnerable, weaving delicate acoustic picking, warm electric textures, soft percussion, and floating vocal harmonies into a cinematic soundscape.

‘Honeycomb’ explores the quiet battles we carry within, with lyrics that reflect on pain, healing, and the strength found in softness. “Running to the western shoreline” evokes a search for grounding, while the metaphor of building a world in “honeycomb” suggests protection and renewal. Ruffley’s poetic sensitivity shines through each verse, inviting listeners to find their own meaning in the music.

Fans of Bon Iver, James Vincent McMorrow, and Phoebe Bridgers will feel at home in the emotional clarity and layered atmosphere of ‘Honeycomb’, but the song remains distinctly Killian—introspective, haunting, and deeply human. It follows his 2023 release “Spun Out” and sets the tone for his forthcoming album.

Ruffley’s musical journey began in the Irish countryside, where he discovered percussion at age 11. His debut album Perception (2013) and 2015 EP Moonshine & Red Wine introduced his genre-blending style, with “Purple Lady” earning international radio play. After a hiatus due to illness, Ruffley reignited his career with renewed passion, and ‘Honeycomb’ is the latest chapter in his evolving story.

‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Trailer Is Here And Struts Into Theaters May 1, 2026

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 13, 2025

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‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ Trailer Is Here And Struts Into Theaters May 1, 2026

A sequel? For spring? Groundbreaking. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci return in The Devil Wears Prada 2, in theaters May 1, 2026.

Almost twenty years after making their iconic turns as Miranda, Andy, Emily and Nigel—Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to the fashionable streets of New York City and the sleek offices of Runway Magazine in the eagerly awaited sequel to the 2006 phenomenon that defined a generation.

The film reunites the original main cast with director David Frankel and writer Aline Brosh McKenna, and introduces an all-new runway of characters including Kenneth Branagh, Simone Ashley, Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Patrick Brammall, Caleb Hearon, Helen J. Shen, Pauline Chalamet, B.J. Novak and Conrad Ricamora. Tracie Thoms and Tibor Feldman also reprise their roles as “Lily” and “Irv” from the first film.

“The Devil Wears Prada 2” is produced by Wendy Finerman, and executive produced by Michael Bederman, Karen Rosenfelt and McKenna. The film debuts exclusively in theaters May 1, 2026.

Jason Michael Carroll Rides Tall with Stirring New Single ‘What Ever Happened to Heroes’

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 13, 2025

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Jason Michael Carroll Rides Tall with Stirring New Single ‘What Ever Happened to Heroes’

Country powerhouse Jason Michael Carroll returns with a powerful new single, “What Ever Happened to Heroes,” now streaming on all platforms. The track is a standout from his forthcoming album Anthem, due later this year via For the Lonely Records, and follows the genre-blending success of “Nothin’ But Country” featuring Petey Pablo, whose music video also dropped this week.

Co-written with fellow Texas native Garrett Bradford, the song began with a simple prompt—Bradford sent Carroll a few lyrical ideas and told him to “pick one.” The title “What Ever Happened to Heroes” immediately struck a chord. “This one stopped me in my tracks,” Carroll says. “I don’t watch the news much anymore because the state of the world often depresses me. Where’s the justice? Where’s the accountability? What happened to right and wrong? What happened to common sense? Whatever happened to heroes?”

With vivid western-inspired storytelling and a melody that swells from quiet reflection to cinematic crescendo, “What Ever Happened to Heroes” channels the spirit of the classic cowboy—stoic, brave, and principled. Carroll’s lyrics call on listeners to embody those same values in today’s world. “I still like to think that the cowboys are holed up, bandaging wounds, making plans to return… One of these nights, they’ll ride in, clouds of gun smoke, giving those bad guys what they deserve.”

The single builds on the momentum of “Nothin’ But Country,” a bold anthem that fuses rural grit with hip-hop swagger, uniting Carroll and fellow North Carolina native Petey Pablo in a celebration of their roots. The video brings that energy to life with unapologetic pride and Southern soul.

Together, the two tracks preview Anthem, a deeply personal album that explores themes of faith, family, and resilience. Carroll’s signature storytelling remains front and center, continuing the legacy he began with his chart-topping debut Waitin’ in the Country, which featured hits like “Alyssa Lies” and “Livin’ Our Love Song.” With Anthem, Carroll proves once again that country music’s most enduring power lies in its truth.

Girl with a Hawk Celebrate Friendship with New Single ‘I’m In Love With My Friends’

Music

Eric Alper

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Nov 13, 2025

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Girl with a Hawk Celebrate Friendship with New Single ‘I’m In Love With My Friends’

Just ahead of the holiday season, Boston rock band Girl with a Hawk delivers a heartfelt anthem to friendship with their new single ‘I’m In Love With My Friends’, out November 12 via Rum Bar Records. Led by vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Linda Viens, the band taps into the spirit of Friendsgiving with a power-pop track that radiates warmth, gratitude, and joy.

The release sets the tone for a busy week, as Viens joins the Boston Rebel Rock Coalition’s inaugural fundraiser the following night at The Burren in Somerville, performing alongside Diablogato, The Peppermint Kicks, Watts, and more. The event benefits the ACLU and celebrates the community bonds that inspired the song. ‘I’m In Love With My Friends’ is a tribute to chosen family, those “ride or dies” who lift us up through life’s highs and lows. “Romantic relationships don’t always survive those challenges, but authentic friendships usually do,” Viens says.

The single also marks the band’s first new music since July’s ‘It’s The Way’, and follows the March release of ‘No One Like You’, a tribute to Foo Fighters’ Taylor Hawkins. It sets the stage for a full-length album due in Spring 2026. Girl with a Hawk—Viens, Richard Lamphear, Daniel Coughlin, Dan Bernfeld, and Nancy Delaney—welcomes guest vocals from Linnea Herzog, Agent Judy, and Holly Kantor, adding gang harmonies to the celebration.

The song’s artwork features Viens and longtime friend Carolyn Kaylor in a loving embrace, captured by Wayne Viens in the mid-’90s. Produced by Pete Weiss at Jade Cow Music and recorded at Panoramic House Studio in California, the track was born during the pandemic, inspired by a winter birthday gathering around a fire pit. “We were marveling at our determination to gather and celebrate life,” Viens recalls.

‘I’m In Love With My Friends’ also nods to the Plough & Stars in Cambridge, a beloved venue where the band and their musical family often reunited. The ambient bar sounds that open the track were recorded live by Viens and Coughlin, adding authenticity to the vibe. The song’s emotional layers reflect the times, but its message is timeless: friendship is love, and it’s worth singing about.