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In 1974, Bad Company’s debut album introduced the world to the band’s riff-driven hard rock sound with songs such as “Can’t Get Enough,” “Movin’ On,” and the self-titled title track. But buried beneath the bluesy bangers was a stripped-down acoustic number that closed out the album.

“Seagull” was the eighth and final song on Bad Company’s debut, and it was a departure from the harder rock style of the rest of the album.

Written by Paul Rodgers and Mick Ralphs, the song features a stripped-down acoustic guitar melody, light tambourine, and introspective lyrics about longing for freedom. The album’s liner notes state that Rodgers played “all instruments” on “Seagull.”

RELATED: The True Origin of Bad Company’s Name

In an interview, Rodgers once explained his inspiration for “Seagull.”

“Every song that we have done has its own story,” he told Classic Rock Revisited in 2001, per Songfacts. “’Seagull’ was written sitting on the beach. Music is about atmosphere. The best way to create the atmosphere is to actually be there. You don’t have to imagine it. It is right there. With ‘Seagull,’ you could see the horizon. You can include that in the songs. That is what writing songs is all about; creating mood and atmosphere.”

In 2022, Rodgers posted photos of the beaches on Hayling Island, off England’s south coast, on Facebook, writing, “Hayling Island, where I was inspired to write Seagull.”

Best Classic Bands once described “Seagull” as one of the most “overlooked” rock songs of the year 1974, noting that “Rodgers’ ability to own the song, and its simple, straightforward structure is what makes it lasting.”

More than 52 years after its release, the song remains a classic rock gem that became a concert favorite during Bad Company’s decades-long run.

Rodgers once noted that “Seagull” evolved over the years when the band played it live.

“It’s almost a different version nowadays compared to the original,” he told Rock Cellar magazine in 2012. “It’s only when I listen back to the original that I realize how much it’s grown. It’s kind of grown into this giant song, which really surprises me, because initially I wasn’t even sure whether to put it on the album or not.  But I thought, well, I like it, so I’m going to put it on because it made for a nice contrast to all the rock and roll on that album.”

“’Seagull’ does have a simplicity and a certain magic to it,” the legendary Bad Company frontman added. “I wrote that song sitting on a beach, strangely enough.”

Related: 1975 Bad Company Hit, Inspired by Rock Stars Who Died Young, Later Had a Haunting Connection to Elvis 

Gram Parsons was 26 when he died on Sept. 19, 1973, in a room at the Joshua Tree Inn, about 140 miles east of Los Angeles.

The cause was a drug and alcohol overdose. He had spent his short career welding country to rock and calling the result Cosmic American Music. He had also told friends what he wanted to happen next.

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Parsons had been clear with the people around him. “It was Gram’s request,” an unnamed source shared shortly afterward. “Just something he had told them not too long before he died. ‘If I go, I want to be in Joshua Tree, and I want my ashes scattered here.'”

His family had made different plans. They arranged to fly his body to New Orleans for a burial, and the coffin was waiting at Los Angeles International Airport.

Phil Kaufman, his tour manager, decided the wish outranked the arrangements.

Kaufman and roadie Michael Martin borrowed a hearse, turned up at the airport presenting themselves as off-duty drivers sent to collect the coffin, and drove it out to Cap Rock, the spot in Joshua Tree that Parsons had named. There they carried out the cremation themselves.

The law had no idea what to do with them. Because no statute covered taking a body, the two men could only be charged over the coffin, and both pleaded guilty that November to misdemeanor theft. Kaufman was fined $300.

The case was reported at the time. The New York Times ran it on Nov. 7, 1973, under the headline “2 Plead in Theft and Burning Of Coffin With Rock Singer.” Police reportedly gave it a name of their own: Gram Theft Parsons.

Parsons was eventually buried near New Orleans after all.

Parsons founded the Flying Burrito Brothers. Before that he pushed the Byrds into Sweetheart of the Rodeo, which has been called the pivotal album of the genre, made “under the sway of Gram Parsons.”

His solo career took him to a Washington, D.C., club, where he was hunting for a harmony singer and found Emmylou Harris. They met over an impromptu run at Hank Williams’ “I Saw the Light,” and he steered her toward country rock.

After he died, Harris wrote her signature song about losing him.

His mark on what became alt-country was enormous, made in a career that ended at 26. Harris put it more simply: “Gram really bequeathed me an extraordinary life.”

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Truly classic jewelry can make any outfit look more elevated. Even when you step out in jeans and a simple tee, you’ll instantly feel doubly pulled together when you add a distinctive accent. Investing in your hero piece doesn’t have to cost you a fortune, especially if it’s a pair of Gabriella Freshwater Pearl Earrings from Kendra Scott.

These distinctive pieces of ear candy light up your lobes, adding a beautiful and luminous touch while offering you a look so timeless you can wear it all the time. While the earrings retail for $75, right now they’re reduced to just $53 at Macy’s. For 30% off, you’ll snag a pair that you can wear to work, out with friends, on date nights, while running errands, and beyond.

Courtesy of Macy's

A refreshed take on the brand’s signature Davie studs, the earrings feature a delicate freshwater pearl framed by chunky, 14-karat, gold-plated brass. The combination of textures gives the earrings a rich look, balancing the pearl’s smooth finish with more detailed woven metalwork. By bridging the gap between the two elements, the earrings exude a classy, vintage-inspired appearance that will keep them in rotation for years.

That versatility is what makes them so integral to your collection. Pearls are naturally dainty, but these have more substance to them than ordinary studs. At the same time, they aren’t so hefty that they’ll overwhelm your look or feel heavy. The simple post closure adds to their appeal and ensures they’ll stay secure all day and evening.

Related: Macy’s ‘Dainty’ $22 Pendant Necklace Is the Cutest Way to Add Sparkle to Any Look

They’re just the right size for daily wear, too. While they’re studs that sit against the lobe, they’re not so microscopic that they feel invisible. The sculptural design looks almost three-dimensional, with the pearl rising like a dome from the open-work metal. It gives them an artisanal vibe to complement the uniquely old-world influence.

• Diamond-Accent Heart of Hearts Necklace, $27 (was $60) at Macy’s
• Anne Klein Gold-Tone Pearl Hinge Bracelet, $11 (was $32) at Macy’s
• Genevive Solitaire Cluster Statement Ring, $26 (was $170) at Macy’s

If you’re looking for something that’s elegant, yet easy enough to wear with your daily looks, these are just the right choice for a budget-friendly jewelry box upgrade. Pick up a pair of Kendra Scott Gabriella Freshwater Pearl Earrings while they’re on sale at Macy’s!

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You’re going to make a promise with yourself that it’ll be “just one more chapter,” but then you won’t be able to stop. The top seven new releases this week are set to keep you up all night.

There are cozy romances, dark romances, murder mysteries, and thrillers coming out. The hardest part will be deciding where to start with your list. Let’s get you started with the seven must-reads coming out on Sept. 22, 2026.

We have to start with the dark romance, a novel that you’ve likely been excited about ever since we shared an excerpt from it back in July. Prey for Me by Allie Oleander is the second in the Feral Love series. While you don’t need to have read the first book to understand the second (they’re standalones), I still highly recommend Willing Prey.

Prey for Me follows Caine Underwood, who is willing to drop down to his knees to worship Margot Walker. They have an agreement, a game that they have played ever since the Halloween when she was Red Riding Hood and he was the Big Bad Wolf. He is the only man allowed to stalk her, so what happens when she ends up with another stalker? Well, things are about to get…interesting.

If you prefer historical fiction, you’ll need to turn to Foreigners by E.L. Shen. There are three timelines covered: 1878, 1966, and today, following the Chin family and the secrets that have been kept over the years. It all starts with Duanfang, who is willing to do whatever it takes to protect the Manchu family legacy.

As Zheng Yi gets a chance at a new life, secrets unfold that will change everything for her in 1966, and in the present day, Dawn Chin is shocked by revelations when she heads out to interview her grandmother for an assignment. Family secrets can only stay buried for so long, and this coming-of-age tale is compelling and essential reading.

Romance is necessary, but you don’t always want it to be dark. What about a contemporary, cozy romance? Well Versed by Jen DeLuca promises to be just that, starting with Caitlin Parker as a teenager when she fell out of love after her first real heartbreak. Jump forward to her being 24 and unemployed; she ends up back home, where she needs to face the demons of her past.

What happens when you run into the man who broke your heart? What happens when that man struggles to admit that he made a mistake? Well Versed is a journey of two people finding their way back to each other. Second-chance romance is beautiful and possible.

You may have already checked out The Aunt by Courtney Psak via the eBook release a few months ago. I know some of you were waiting for the physical release, and here it is! This is perfect for Freida McFadden fans, bringing wild twists and turns every step of the way.

When Amy gets a call to say her younger sister, Lexi, has been killed in a boating accident, her whole world changes. They may have been estranged for the last 10 years, but that didn’t stop her from loving Lexi. What’s even more shocking is that Lexi had a newborn daughter, and now it’s on Amy to raise her niece while also figuring out what really happened that fateful day. That accident was anything but!

Are you already in the mood for a Christmas romance? Halloween may be just around the corner, but we’re ready for mistletoe, Christmas trees, and love. The Little Shop of Merry and Bright by Jenny Bayliss is that story, bringing holiday romance to life.

When Casey declined her boyfriend’s proposal, she didn’t expect it to go viral. Of course, she became the villain of the story, and she’s been trying to avoid the limelight since. So, as a strange woman visits her in her family-owned department store, she isn’t ready for the turn of events that arise. This Christmas Carol-esque story brings the Spirit of Christmas Present to help show Casey what could have been. What if she had said yes?

Seven mystery writers and one body. Anybody could have done it in How to Write a Murder by Jessica Brody, and this is your chance to delve into the twisty pages. The setting is perfect for a mystery as well. It’s an old, converted monastery with a dark past.

Everyone is there to learn how to write the best murder story, but when it starts to play out in front of them, everything changes. Now, secrets come out, and the stories people have tried to leave untold have to be spoken. As they all turn on each other, nobody is safe — and they’ve probably not even found the murderer!

We gave you a Christmas romance, but now it’s time for something suited for the fall season. You’re the One That I Haunt by Katie Jung is a paranormal romance, perfect for fans of The Dead Romantics. There’s also an element of My Best Friend’s Wedding, as Libby has to admit that the man she loves (her best friend) is marrying someone else.

Libby isn’t ready to give up her best friend, especially when she’s the only person who knows his family is cursed. That curse is linked to the cousin who turns up — the cousin who happens to be a ghost, Trip. As Trip tries to help Libby break the curse because Carter is affected, they have to admit the growing feelings between them. But Trip is a ghost. It can’t happen, right? Guess again!

Richard Dean Anderson may be best known for the title role in MacGyver, but we barely recognized the beloved TV star with full white hair.

Anderson, 76, got his first taste of fame in the soap opera world, appearing on General Hospital. But it was his role in MacGyver as Angus MacGyver, who works as a troubleshooter, that catapulted him to mainstream success. MacGyver was known for being able to solve any problem with a laundry list of household items under pressure. Fast forward to the present day, and Anderson made a rare appearance at a recent convention alongside fellow actor Veronica Cartwright. Sporting white hair and a matching white beard, the fan-favorite actor smiled brightly at the fun event.

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CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

Anderson’s last role onscreen was in one episode of the cult-favorite TV comedy series, Don’t Trust the B— in Apartment 23, in 2013. The show starred Krysten Ritter and James Van Der Beek, and was sadly canceled too soon. But when it comes to Anderson tackling a major role in film or TV these days, it seems like the former TV star just isn’t that interested.

“He still gets offered guest spots on different shows and, if he wanted, he could probably land a series again like his old pal Tom Selleck did. But Rick just doesn’t seem to be interested,” an insider told Closer last year. “He still reads scripts here and there, but nothing has piqued his interest enough to get him to sign on.”

The piece went on to say that Anderson lives “on the outer reaches of Malibu right at the beach” and still enjoys doing charity work and the occasional fan convention.

“But as far as acting, he retired in 2013 to focus on raising his daughter Wylie, who was 15 at the time, and he really hasn’t looked back,” it continued.

We would be foolish if we didn’t close out with a video showing off MacGyver’s mad skills.

Related: ‘Happy Days’ Star Thought His Career Was ‘Over’ After Hit Sitcom Ended

Long before critics gave them credit, Mike Nesmith knew The Monkees were capable of far than just pop hits.

By early 1967, he pushed the band to play their own instruments for the very first time on Headquarters. The song he brought to those sessions didn’t just showcase his signature country-rock sound; it marked the exact moment the band launched a full-blown musical rebellion.

Determined to prove they were more than a manufactured act, Nesmith, Micky Dolenz, Davy Jones, and Peter Tork won the right to produce their own material for the May 1967 release. Together, they crafted a raw, authentic sound that bypassed the polished production of their first two records, controlled by music supervisor Don Kirshner and Don Costa, who relied almost exclusively on session players like The Wrecking Crew.

Freed from that corporate mold, the group brought in producer Chip Douglas, locked themselves in the studio, and laid down their own tracks from start to finish. The LP’s back cover reads, “We aren’t the only musicians on this album. But the occasional extra bass or horn player played under our direction, so that this is all ours.” 

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Nesmith’s “Sunny Girlfriend” is a watershed moment on the LP. It was listed as one of his best songwriting efforts by Billboard Magazine. The outlet noted, “Nesmith broke through the Monkees’ gatekeepers to put five songs as a writer or co-writer on the group’s third album Headquarters. This is the best of the bunch, an uptempo, jangling country rock gem that would fit comfortably on any Americana format now.”

Headquarters harkened back to some of the material the foursome cut together before the show became a smash hit. Nesmith told Blitz Magazine, as reprinted by the website Cool Cherry Cream, “We had no idea what was going to happen with the series. We were just a fun band.”

He continued, “We enjoyed playing together and didn’t realize what the situation would develop into with the exposure from the show. What we cut was actually just some rehearsal tapes. We were really as much of a garage band as you could hope for!”

Nesmith concluded, “If you really want to know what we sounded like at that time, one of the tracks from that period actually did get released as the B-side of a single. It was the track ‘The Girl I Knew Somewhere,’ a song I wrote that appeared as the flip side of ‘A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You.’”

“We cut that song at those early sessions in the Columbia studio with me on lead guitar, Pete on bass and overdubbed keyboards and Micky on the drums. This was the type of sound I wanted the Monkees to pursue at the time.”

The LP has a decided country-rock influence due to Nesmith’s three numbers: “You Told Me” (with banjo by Tork), “You Just May Be the One,” and “Sunny Girlfriend.” These tracks didn’t just showcase Nesmith’s Texas roots—they positioned the band as early pioneers of the late-1960s Southern California country-rock movement.

Headquarters captured the moment The Monkees took charge. Fifty-nine years later, Nesmith’s country-rock vision remains the high-water mark of their recording career.

Related: 1965 Mike Nesmith Song, Rejected by The Monkees, Was Rescued Years Later by a Rising Country-Rock Band

In 1965, Bill Medley’s unmistakable bass-baritone voice helped turn “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” into the Righteous Brothers’ first No. 1 hit.

More than two decades later, Medley found himself at No. 1 again with a song that would become inseparable from one of the biggest movies of the 1980s.

Now the Righteous Brothers legend celebrates another milestone: Medley turns 86 on Sept. 19.

Born in Santa Ana, Calif., in 1940, Medley grew up surrounded by music. His parents had a swing band, he sang in a church choir and became drawn to R&B as a teenager, citing artists including Little Richard, Ray Charles, Bobby “Blue” Bland and B.B. King among his early influences.

Medley eventually connected with Bobby Hatfield, and the two began performing as a duo in 1963. They became the Righteous Brothers and attracted the attention of producer Phil Spector after appearing at San Francisco’s Cow Palace in 1964.

The following year brought “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” which reached No. 1. The duo followed it with recordings including “Unchained Melody” and “(You’re My) Soul and Inspiration.”

Medley’s fingerprints were also on the music behind the scenes. Before signing with Spector, he had produced the Righteous Brothers himself, and he was the actual producer of numerous recordings credited to Spector, including “Unchained Melody,” which initially wasn’t even intended to be a single.

Decades later, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” found a new audience thanks to the 1986 Tom Cruise blockbuster Top Gun and “Unchained Melody” found a new audience through the 1990 Patrick Swayze/Demi Moore movie Ghost, helping spark another resurgence for the Righteous Brothers.

Medley’s voice had already enjoyed a major movie moment of its own.

In 1987, Medley teamed with Jennifer Warnes to record “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” for Dirty Dancing.

The duet reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won Medley and Warnes the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals. The song’s writers also took home the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

That wasn’t Medley’s only success away from the Righteous Brothers. He recorded numerous solo albums and scored several country hits during the 1980s, including the Top 20 country single “I Still Do.”

After Hatfield died in 2003, Medley eventually revived the Righteous Brothers with singer Bucky Heard in 2016. He later announced a farewell tour after six decades on the road, while making clear that stepping away from touring didn’t necessarily mean he was finished making music.

In fact, Medley was still recording well into his 80s.

In February 2025, he released Straight from the Heart, his first new album in more than a decade. The collection included collaborations with Vince Gill, Michael McDonald, Shawn Colvin and Keb’ Mo’.

Just days after the album arrived, Medley made another career first: At 84 years old, he made his Grand Ole Opry debut.

For a singer whose career stretches from the Righteous Brothers and “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” to Dirty Dancing and beyond, 86 arrives after more than six decades of finding new audiences.

Related: ‘Queen of Motown’ Mourns the Death of Martha and the Vandellas Bandmate: ‘My Heart is Heavy’

In 1979, the disco era was in full swing, with groups such as Chic, Donna Summer and Sister Sledge dominating the Billboard charts. The disco trend also inspired rock bands to experiment with radio-friendly disco sounds, and one of the most interesting tracks came from Kansas.

The progressive rock band, long known for using violin, keyboards, and synthesizers in their songs, added some unexpected elements to the song “People of the South Wind.”

Written by Kerry Livgren for the album Monolith, “People of the South Wind” blended Kansas’ signature sound with an unexpected disco-pop beat and a steady drum pattern.

Kansas founding guitarist Rich Williams once called the song the band’s “most pop moment.”

“That had that constant disco drum beat, that song is our most pop,” he told Classic Rock Revisited in an interview. “We never had done happy sounds like that. We were always a much deeper, minor key, melodic band, unless it was a very grandiose thing like ‘Song for America,’ but that was more of classical composition.”

“I will say that ‘People of the South Wind’ was a little more poppy and it was a little out of character for us,” Williams continued. “It was more like us doing a disco song by somebody else.”

Livgren hasn’t talked often about the song, but its title was an homage to the Kaw (Kansa) people, the Native American nation associated with the origin of the name Kansas. The lyrics not only referenced the Kansas heritage from which the band took its name, but also a nostalgia for home and wanting to go back to a place and time from the past.

RELATED: 1977 Kansas Song is Still  Powerful 49 Years Later

The song also inspired the wild cover artwork for the Monolith album.

A post on the band’s official website noted that artist Bruce Wolfe created the album cover.

“We had sent him the song ‘People of the South Wind’ and he sent back this fricking painting … it was huge,” the band shared. “It was not a drawing; it was a real painting of this Indian whose headdress was a space helmet. There were all of these overpasses that were broken and there were a bunch of Indians on the back that looked like they were at a Boy Scout camp or something. He did an incredible job. He took our logo and made it work. It was always a challenge to take that logo and make it look cool. He used the features on it and it really worked.”

“People of the South Wind” reached No. 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in August 1979. More than 47 years later, it’s a memorable part of Kansas’ catalog, and an example of how the classis rock band adapted to the changing musical landscape of the late 1970s.

Related: 1980 Rock Classic, Written as a Message to Rocker’s Wife, Remains a Timeless Anthem of Hope 46 Years Later

Bernadette Peters is giving the term ageless new meaning.

The legendary theater and film actress, 78, rose to stardom on Broadway in productions like Sunday in the Park with George and Into the Woods. She became a mainstream hit thanks to TV appearances on classics like The Muppet Show and The Carol Burnett Show, and later became a film sensation with Annie, The Jerk, and Pennies From Heaven. Still a staple of the stage and screen, the star hit the red carpet to attend the New York premiere of Last Train to Fortune” at Village East Cinema. Wearing a shirred red and green floral dress with her trademark curly red hair, Peters proved she’s just as stunning as she was in her early days in the spotlight. It’s hard to believe she’s 78!

Rob Kim / Getty Images

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Following the news that legendary designer Bob Mackie died at age 87 on Sept. 14, Peters honored the creative genius, whom she got to know while he worked on The Carol Burnett Show as the in-house costumer.

“Bob was one of the most talented people you’d ever want to meet,” Peters told PEOPLE. “He could take something, you could do a run-through of something, and he would get an idea and take it to the nth degree.”

Mackie designed several getups for Burnett, including a dress out of curtains that still had the curtain rod on it. She wore the costume to portray Scarlett O’Hara in the sketch Went With the Wind!, a play on Gone With the Wind.

“The line was ‘Something I saw in the window.’ He actually made her clothes from curtains and left the curtain rod in,” Peters recalled, noting that the designer also made her wedding dress for her 1996 nuptials to Michael Wittenberg.

“I mean, he was just brilliant, just brilliant. And lovely and kind,” she said.

To see Burnett in the legendary outfit made out of curtains for her by Mackie, check out the hilarious sketch from The Carol Burnett Show below.

Related: Hit Broadway Musical, Later Adapted into 1982 Blockbuster Starring Carol Burnett, Returning for 50th Anniversary Show

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While overhead lighting is the most effective way to brighten your space, it doesn’t exactly create the ideal ambiance for cozy nights in. Lamps are a better option, filling your space with a warm glow without glaring into your eyes. If you’re looking to add one to your home, Walmart carries a ton of budget-friendly options, ranging from practical floor lamps to novelty lamps. 

The best lamps are those that double as an accent piece, sprucing up your space whether it’s on or off. This Coliware Mushroom Table Lamp is a prime example, and you can currently score it on sale at Walmart for a whopping 52% off. Normally retailing for $29, it’s now marked down to just $14 in three styles. You can choose from three different base colors, including white and black, which have a modern feel, and walnut, which has more of a rustic vibe. 

Courtesy of Walmart

Capturing the essence of whimsical elegance, this lamp features a subtle mushroom silhouette with a domed lampshade. The lampshade is wide, reminiscent of a mushroom cap. It sits on top of a narrow cylindrical body, which transitions into a wide circular base. 

The lamp’s sleek and trendy design gives it a contemporary vibe. Minimalistic yet playful, it’ll effortlessly blend into any space without clashing with your decor and furniture. However, it’ll still stand out and make a statement, instantly elevating the aesthetic of your home. 

Boasting a frosted shade, this lamp delivers a soft glow. It’ll brighten up your space without glaring into your eyes, creating a cozy ambiance. This lamp has three temperature settings, including warm, neutral, and white. Whether you’re unwinding in bed, reading on the couch, or working at your desk, this lamp will meet all your lighting needs.

Courtesy of Walmart

Fitted with a sensor on the base, this lamp has a touch-control design that allows you to adjust the settings without hassle. By tapping on the sensor, you can power it on and off, as well as adjust the temperature. If you hold your finger on the sensor, the light will slowly dim. 

Designed for convenience, this lamp has a rechargeable battery so you won’t have to deal with tangled up, messy cords. Whenever this lamp needs a charge, just plug it into a USB-C outlet, and it’ll be ready to go in no time. If you live in an area that experiences storms or unpredictable weather, this lamp will be especially handy. It’ll give you light during power outages, as it doesn’t require electricity. 

For size reference, this lamp measures 7.4 inches tall. The lampshade has a 5.5-inch diameter, and the base has a 3.5-inch diameter. Because of its compact size and cordless design, you can effortlessly move this piece from room to room. From intimate dinners to nights out on the patio, bring this lamp along to illuminate your space and set the perfect ambiance. 

• Mqhoob Cordless Sunflower Table Lamp, $21 (was $23) at Walmart
• Daybetter Water Ripple Projector Lamp, $23 (was $39) at Walmart
• Sunmory Stained Glass Tiffany-Style Table Lamp, $96 (was $150) at Walmart

Related: Bring Light and Modern Minimalist Style to Your Space With Amazon’s ‘Elegant’ $34 Industrial Lamp

If you want to fill your space with playful elegance and cozy lighting, don’t hesitate to snag the Coliware Mushroom Table Lamp at Walmart while it’s still on sale for just $14! 

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“Hot Burrito #1,” the 1969 country rock song recorded by The Flying Burrito Brothers, remains one of the best-known songs connected to the band and its young singer, Gram Parsons.

 Parsons was just 22 when the song appeared on the group’s debut album, The Gilded Palace of Sin.

The song did not become a major commercial hit when it was released. But over time, “Hot Burrito #1” became a signature song for The Flying Burrito Brothers and helped build the group’s lasting reputation among musicians and country rock fans.

Written by Parsons and bassist Chris Ethridge, “Hot Burrito #1” was shaped by a painful breakup in Parsons’ personal life. According to Chris Hillman, Parsons wrote the song about his breakup with Nancy, the mother of his daughter, Polly Parsons.

Photo by Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns

The emotional subject helped give the song its direct and personal sound. Parsons sings about seeing the woman he loves with another man while still wanting her love.

“I don’t want no one but you to love me,” he sings.

Released in 1969 as part of The Gilded Palace of Sin, the track appeared during a period when country and rock were still being treated as separate musical worlds by many listeners. The Flying Burrito Brothers were among the musicians pushing those styles together.

The Flying Burrito Brothers were formed in Los Angeles in 1968 by Parsons and Chris Hillman, both of whom had been members of The Byrds.

The group also included Chris Ethridge on bass, “Sneaky” Pete Kleinow on pedal steel guitar and other musicians during its early period. Their goal was closely tied to Parsons’ idea of “cosmic American music,” a sound that brought country, rock and other American musical traditions together.

Hillman described the freedom musicians had during the late 1960s.

“Gram had this idea of ‘cosmic American Music,’” Hillman told Classic Rock. “In the late sixties, when record labels were run by real music people, you were allowed to develop and experiment. Music had no rules back then. People borrowed from other styles. There was so much freedom.”

That approach can be heard throughout The Gilded Palace of Sin. The album included songs such as “Christine’s Tune,” “Sin City,” “Wheels,” “Juanita,” “Hot Burrito #1” and “Hot Burrito #2.”

Parsons and Ethridge wrote both “Hot Burrito” songs while the band was living in the San Fernando Valley home known as “Burrito Manor.”

“Hot Burrito #2” followed “Hot Burrito #1” on the album and offered a more upbeat and forceful counterpart to the first song. Chris Hillman later praised the emotional effect of both performances.

“Those two vocals were tearjerkers,” Hillman said. “They give you chills.”

The Flying Burrito Brothers did not enjoy the kind of mass commercial success that would come later for artists influenced by their sound. Still, their music attracted attention from important musicians.

According to Songfacts, the band developed a cult following among musicians, including Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. The group also opened for the Rolling Stones at the Altamont concert.

In Parade’s previous article, “Hot Burrito #1” was  described as the Flying Burrito Brothers’ signature tune. Its lyrics focus on heartbreak, jealousy and the pain of watching someone move on, themes that remain easy for listeners to understand decades later.

The band’s debut album also became an important part of the development of country rock. Its influence reached artists and groups that followed, including the Eagles and performers associated with the New Traditionalist country movement.

Bernie Leadon, another member of the Flying Burrito Brothers, later helped found the Eagles. Other members also continued their careers in music, extending the reach of the group’s sound beyond its original recordings.

The album itself was later collected in Hot Burritos! The Flying Burrito Brothers Anthology 1969–1972, a two-CD, 43-song compilation released in 2000. The collection brought together the band’s first three albums, including The Gilded Palace of Sin, Burrito Deluxe and The Flying Burrito Bros., along with additional recordings.

Parsons’ career with the Flying Burrito Brothers was brief. He later pursued a solo career before his death in 1973 at age 26. Ethridge, who co-wrote “Hot Burrito #1,” also remained an important part of the musical story. When Ethridge died in 2012, Hillman remembered their work together.

“His collaborations as co-writer, with Gram Parsons, on ‘Hot Burrito 1’, ‘Hot Burrito 2’ and ‘She,’ are classics. He was a joy to work with and a joy to know,” Hillman said, per Billboard.

More than five decades after its release, “Hot Burrito #1” stands as a reminder of how a song that was not a major commercial success can still become an important part of music history.

Related: 1972 Rock Song, Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, Is Still a Generational Hit 54 Years Later

In December 1969, an unavoidable earworm knocked The Beatles’ dual-sided powerhouse “Come Together/Something” out of the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

The song was “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” by Steam. But the radio stations playing the track had no idea that the hitmaking group didn’t actually exist.

Years before it became the ultimate crowd chant, “Kiss Him Goodbye” was an abandoned 1961 demo by a Glenwood, Connecticut band called the Chateaus. Written by bandmates Paul Leka, Gary DeCarlo, and Dale Frashuer, the track sat completely neglected on a shelf until the three songwriters unexpectedly reunited in a New York recording studio according to Stereogum.

DeCarlo, working under the pseudonym of Garrett Scott, needed a B-side for his single “Sweet Laura Lee.” The musicians resurrected “Kiss Him Goodbye,” improvising extra chorus lines to stretch the track to full length.

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Stereogum reported that “the guys on the cover of the single had nothing to do with the song. They did, however, become a touring act. Those cover-art models just lip-synced DeCarlo’s lead vocal.”

After reaching No. 1, the song became largely a staple of retro radio, until 1977 when the song was resurrected by White Sox organist, Nancy Faust who began playing during games. Baseball fans loved it, began singing along, and it remains an unforgettable sports anthem.

“Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” kicked The Beatles out of the top spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 on December 6, 1969. The tune lingered at the top for two weeks until “Leaving on a Jet Plane” by Peter, Paul and Mary took over the #1 spot on December 20, 1969.

The Beatles only held the top spot with “Come Together/Something” for one week. The song debuted in October 1969 and lasted 7 weeks on the charts. It was John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr’s last United States chart topper as a band and was their 18th No. 1 single.

The Beatles officially disbanded in 1970, but their brief drop from No. 1 in late 1969 is a great story in its own right. A ghost band that nobody had ever heard of stepped up and pulled off the impossible against the biggest group in the world. All these years later, “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” keeps playing, proving that sometimes the songs made on a whim are the ones that never go away.

Related: The Secret Beatles Connection to This 1969 Simon & Garfunkel Classic

Sometimes the best Halloween decorating ideas don’t come from a craft store—they come straight out of a movie. Because if anyone knows how to do spooky, it’s Hollywood. Give us a little flickering light, a mysterious silhouette and something floating where it absolutely should not be, and suddenly we’re ready to believe in magic.

You don’t need to go bananas to get that same cinematic feeling, either. Sometimes one clever detail is enough to make your porch, entryway or backyard feel like the set of a very good Halloween movie. It’s less about a pile of every plastic skeleton you can find on the lawn and more, “Wait, how did they do that?”

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Aldi

That’s exactly the kind of magic we’re after this Halloween, and Aldi has a particularly fun way to pull it off. Its floating LED witch hats look like they’ve wandered right out of a scene from Harry Potter, creating the illusion that a little coven of witches has taken over your home. No special effects department required—just a little Halloween imagination.

For $6.99, you get a set of three witch hats—one of each in black, orange and purple. There are so many fun places you can hang these—even as a little seasonal magic in a kid’s room.

Related: Dollar General’s $8 Glass Pumpkin Jars Are the Elegant Way to Decorate This Fall

When you’re hanging these, you really want to try to make the string “disappear.” Hang the witch hats from a porch ceiling, tree branch, pergola or even a sturdy shepherd’s hook using the included clear hanging line or a piece of clear fishing line. The thinner and less visible the line, the more convincing the floating effect.

For maximum movie-magic points, don’t line them up like you’re hanging Christmas stockings. Vary the heights and spread them out so they look like they’re actually hovering in midair. A few clustered together near the front door can look especially magical, while hanging them at different depths can create a real moment of marvel. Add a little darkness around them and let the LED lights do the rest. You want guests to notice the hats before they notice how they’re hanging.

Related: Dylan’s Candy Bar Just Dropped a Bunch of Spooky Sweets to Kick Your Halloween Up a Notch

Today’s NYT Connections Sports Edition puzzle covers everything from icy sports goalkeeping and football team names to Happy Madison founders role in sports movies.

Get excited—there’s another New York Times game to add to your daily routine! Those of us word game addicts who already play Wordle, Connections, Strands and the Mini Crossword now have Connections Sports Edition to add to the mix.

So, if you’re looking for some hints and answers for today’s Connections Sports Edition on Saturday, September 19, 2026, you’ve come to the right place.

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The New York Times

Connections Sports Edition is just like the regular Connections word puzzle, in that it’s a game that resets at 12 a.m. EST each day and has 16 different words listed. It’s up to you to figure out each group of four words that belong to a certain category, with four categories in total.

This new version is sports-specific, however, as a partnership between The New York Times and The Athletic.

As the NYT site instructs, for Connections Sports Edition, you “group sports terms that share a common thread.”

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

Here are some hints about the four categories to help you figure out the word groupings.

• Yellow: As seen on Heated Rivalry.
• Green: Going cross country.
• Blue: Think: football orgs.
• Purple: Eight Crazy Nights actor, but on the golf course.

OK, time for a second hint…we’ll give you the actual categories now. Spoilers below!

• Yellow: INFO ON A HOCKEY SCOREBOARD
• Green: ASSOCIATED WITH A TEAM ROAD TRIP
• Blue: STARTS OF NFL TEAM NAMES
• Purple: ADAM SANDLER CHARACTERS IN SPORTS FILMS

If you’re looking for the answers, no worries—we’ve got them below. So, don’t scroll any further if you don’t want to see the solutions!

The answers to today’s Connections Sports Edition #726 are coming up next.

Related: 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day

• INFO ON A HOCKEY SCOREBOARD: CLOCK, PERIOD, SCORE, SHOTS ON GOAL
• ASSOCIATED WITH A TEAM ROAD TRIP: BUS, FLIGHT, HOTEL, VISITORS’ LOCKER ROOM
• STARTS OF NFL TEAM NAMES: COMMA, DOLPH, FALCO, STEEL
• ADAM SANDLER CHARACTERS IN SPORTS FILMS: BOUCHER, CREWE, GILMORE, SUGERMAN

Don’t worry if you didn’t get them this time—we’ve all been there.

Up next, catch up on the answers to recent Wordle puzzles.

Related: Ninja Trolls This Fan-Favorite Ceramic Cookware Brand With Newest Drop That Shoppers Say Is ‘Too Good to Be True’

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Curating a wardrobe with styles that you can rely on at a moment’s notice is a must. It makes your life so much easier when you have classic staples that you can turn to in a pinch, ranging from reliable footwear to versatile jackets. Nordstrom Rack is pulling out all of the stops for fall, so we’re adding to our cart. Our latest favorite style is the Sorel Joan Now Booties, which are 47% off right now and the perfect addition to your seasonal shoe collection. 

The booties originally cost $190, but have been reduced to $100. The shoes are being sold in a gorgeous blackened brown hue, which makes them look slightly lived in, offering an effortlessly cool look that will upgrade your street style naturally. The color also matches with anything, so you can easily wear them with everything from dresses to jeans to trousers for your work day. 

Courtesy of Nordstrom Rack

The available sizes range from 6 to 11 in a standard width, including half sizes, with all of them currently in stock (but we don’t expect that to last long, so make sure to act fast!). The shoes are described to be true to size, but shoppers recommend going half a size up if you plan on wearing bulky socks with them throughout the winter. 

One reviewer wrote that they were “incredibly comfortable” right out of the box, adding that they walked all around New York City and didn’t slip on any snow or ice. Other customers agreed that they can be worn “for a variety of occasions,” including long walks and travel. The boots have a block heel that offers height and ankle stability, while the side zipper makes it easy to take them on and off. They fall above the ankle, so they should keep you super warm too.

The boots are made of a leather upper, synthetic lining, and rubber outsole that has enhanced traction for tough weather. Since there’s “no need for a break-in period,” you can even shop for them as a gift for a loved one during the holidays as a snow boot, and they can wear them instantly. Customers further described the “amazing” style as “extremely well-made.”

• T Tahari Quilted Jacket, $30 (was $78) at Nordstrom Rack
• Cole Haan 2.Zerogrand Chukka Boot, $120 (was $345) at Nordstrom Rack
• Sanctuary Je T Aime Onion Quilted Bomber Jacket, $40 (was $129) at Nordstrom Rack 

According to reviewers, this “universal” boot blows other competitors out of the water, since they’re not stiff and fit perfectly. Shop for these Sorel booties, which will become your new everyday shoe this season, at Nordstrom Rack while they’re under $100! 

Related: Penny Loafers Are Taking Center Stage This Fall, and Vionic’s Hybrid Pair Is Now Just $24

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Thar she blows! Find all the hidden treasure in today’s NYT Strands puzzle or walk the plank.

Move over, Wordle, Connections, Connections Sports Edition, and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times‘ recent game, “Strands,” is becoming increasingly popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.

With daily themes and “spangrams” to discover, this is the latest addictive game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.

We’ll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today’s Spangram, and all of the answers for Strands #930 on Saturday, September 19.

The New York Times

According to the New York Times, here’s exactly how to play Strands:

Find theme words to fill the board.

• Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
• Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double-tap the last letter to submit.
• Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.

Find the “spangram.”

• The spangram describes the puzzle’s theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
• The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
• An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.

Need a hint?

• Find non-theme words to get hints.
• For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
• Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word’s letter order.

If that doesn’t help, here’s a hint for today’s Strands game: Batten down the hatches!

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

In today’s puzzle, there are seven theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:

• AV
• AR
• YO
• SA
• HE
• MA
• TA (SPANGRAM)

Today’s Spangram is a mix of vertical and horizontal.

Today’s Spangram answer for today’s NYT ‘Strands’ Hints, Spangram, and Answers for Saturday, September 19, 2026, is TALKLIKEAPIRATE.

• AVAST
• ARRR
• YOHOHO
• SAVVY
• HEARTIES
• MATEY
• SPANGRAM: TALKLIKEAPIRATE

Related: Ninja Trolls This Fan-Favorite Ceramic Cookware Brand With Newest Drop That Shoppers Say Is ‘Too Good to Be True’

Kenny Leon has spent his career inspiring extraordinary people to do extraordinary things. But long before he began directing some of the world’s greatest actors, he was learning about direction from the people who helped shape him.

In his 2018 memoir, Take You Wherever You Go, Leon reflected on the wisdom he gathered along his journey from some of the most important people in his life, including his grandmother, his mother and the great playwright August Wilson. Those lessons—about work, character, purpose and how to move through the world—have continued to inform the way Leon lives and works.

With his new book, Direction: Making the Most of the Performance of Your Life, Leon is taking those lessons a step further, turning decades of experience in rehearsal rooms, on Broadway stages and alongside extraordinary artists into a guide for navigating life itself.

Leon has directed some of the greatest actors of his generation including Viola Davis, Denzel Washington, Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hanks, Angela Bassett, Audra McDonald, Phylicia Rashad, Blair Underwood, Leslie Odom Jr., Kara Young, Courtney B. Vance, and on and on. He continues to create spaces where artists can take risks, dig deeper and find the truth of a story.

Now, he is turning those lessons outward.

In Direction, Leon shares 20 lessons about leadership, collaboration, creative courage and living with purpose. The book, published by Regalo Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster, arrives December 1 and is available for pre-order now. It features a foreword by Tom Hanks.

The idea for the book grew out of Leon’s unusual vantage point: He has spent much of his life learning from the generation before him—including Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte and August Wilson—while also spending countless hours with younger artists.

“I realized that maybe I’m the glue that can connect the lessons learned from the previous generation, specifically African Americans, but others too, and translate those lessons for younger generations.”

From A Raisin in the Sun, Fences and A Soldier’s Play to Purlie Victorious, Our Town, Othello and The Balusters, Leon has spent decades thinking about what allows people to do their best work. Direction is his attempt to take those lessons out of the rehearsal room and into everyday life.

As Leon sees it, the principles are deceptively simple. Prepare. Work hard. Know yourself. Be kind. And don’t wait around for permission to become the person you’re meant to be.

“This is a book about observing human beings—some famous and some not famous—and sharing those observations in the hope that we can grow and learn,” he says. “And maybe add a little more love to the world.”

Kenny Leon: One of the main things I have learned in rehearsal rooms, from some of the people I’ve worked with, is that whether an actor is famous or not famous, the good ones want to be great. The Samuel L. Jacksons of the world and the Angela Bassetts of the world—the reason they are telling these stories and using their craft to tell these stories is because they want to continue getting better.

I try to dig into the human side of the actors I’m working with, and I try to push them to be the greatest they can be. And when it’s an unknown actor who is just out of school, I want to help teach them and provide an atmosphere where they can be great and reach their fullest potential.

Related: https://parade.com/1180693/friendsandfiction/author-mary-alice-monroe-essay-on-luck/f

Kenny Leon: One of the things I’ve noticed about great artists is that you can never outwork them. They are the people who are willing to put in the extra time to prepare. They are the actors who are in the rehearsal room an hour before you arrive. You simply cannot outwork some artists.

The actors who are willing to put in the work and who have a clear sense of direction and a clear passion for what they want to do are the best. Those are the ones who attain greatness.

Related: https://parade.com/1180693/friendsandfiction/author-mary-alice-monroe-essay-on-luck/

Kenny Leon: I’m so grateful to Tom Hanks for writing the foreword to my book. He is the real deal. He’s authentic, fully prepared, and he works incredibly hard. He is exactly who he represents himself to be. This is a man who walks to Central Park. He’s a very famous person, but he walks to Central Park and sits there. He tries to live as a regular human being, even though he is so much more than a regular human being.

The fact that he was willing to write the foreword meant so much to me. Then, to see the time he put into it—the foreword is great writing. There’s poetry in it. There’s truth in it. He didn’t simply say, “Thank you.” He expressed what he had received from being in a room with Kenny Leon.

That’s very special to me, which is why I’m grateful that we’re getting together to move the play to Broadway now. Tom Hanks is not only a great artist, but he’s also a great friend and a great human being who is trying to make an impact on his fellow human beings. We’re like-minded in that way. I find a beautiful brother in Tom Hanks, and hopefully this will be the beginning of many things that we do together.

Kenny Leon: I’m very excited to have finished writing the book, Direction. I believe there are lessons to be learned in a rehearsal hall, where you’re examining human behavior and human relationships. There is a connection between the rehearsal hall and our everyday lives, and I thought, why not share those lessons? Lessons like: If you’re on time, you’re late. Preparation is everything. Hard work is everything. Take yourself everywhere you go. Don’t try to be anyone else. Be you.

Look at Tom Hanks. I can say “Hanks,” and you know exactly who I’m talking about. If I say “Samuel L.,” you know who I’m talking about. Denzel—you know. They have uniquely defined their artistry by digging into their own DNA. I think that is an encouraging message to pass on to fellow Americans and fellow human beings: Just be you. Or, as I tell my grandchildren: Be kind. Be respectful. Be all that you can be. Live a life that is worthy of your grandmother’s memories.

Kenny Leon: Having directed almost twenty Broadway shows, a couple hundred regional theater productions, and having had the opportunity to direct Hairspray Live! and The Wiz Live! for television, the Steel Magnolias remake, A Raisin in the Sun, and shows like Dynasty and Gossip Girl, I think I’ve gathered a lot of knowledge about us—about human beings.

We are all on the planet at the same time, and there are lessons we can learn from one another—from the stories we share, from the way we live our lives, and from the way we observe people in the world.

Related: https://parade.com/946874/debrawallace/bebe-neuwirth-life-lessons/

Today’s New York Times Connections puzzle covers everything from one of high school’s more difficult subjects and the U.K. back in the day, to what it means to get outside your comfort zone and things you might find in your little one’s artwork.

There’s nothing quite as exhilarating as the feeling of completing the daily New York Times Wordle, Strands, Mini Crossword and Connections Sports Edition word games in one fell swoop. But sometimes that can be easier said than done. If you need help with today’s Connections puzzle, keep reading.

Spoilers ahead! We’ve warned you. We mean it. Read no further until you really want some clues or you’ve completely given up and want the answers ASAP. Get ready for all of today’s NYT ‘Connections’ hints and answers for #1196 on Saturday, September 19, 2026.

The New York Times

If you’ve been having trouble with any of the connections or words in Saturday’s puzzle, you’re not alone, and these hints should definitely help you out. Plus, I’ll reveal the answers further down.

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You’ll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

1. Broaden your horizons.
2. 5-year-old’s masterpiece.
3. Like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones.
4. Trigonometry.

Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night

Ready for the answers? Scroll below this image (the image that represents your very appreciated patience!).

iStock

1. WIDEN ONE’S SCOPE: BRANCH OUT, DIVERSIFY, EXPAND, GROW
2. FEATURES OF A KID’S DRAWING: HOUSE, STICK FIGURE, SUN, TREE
3. ASSOCIATED WITH SWINGING LONDON IN THE 1960S: CARNABY STREET, MINISKIRT, MOD, TWIGGY
4. STARTING WITH ABBREVIATED MATH FUNCTIONS: COS LETTUCE, LOG CABIN, SIN CITY, TAN LINE

How’d you do?

Up Next:

– 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day
– Hints, Clues and Answers to the NYT’s ‘Mini Crossword’ Puzzle

Did You Miss a Few Days? Let’s Catch You Up With Recent Connections Answers

Related: Ninja Trolls This Fan-Favorite Ceramic Cookware Brand With Newest Drop That Shoppers Say Is ‘Too Good to Be True’

You can’t solve today’s NYT Wordle answer if you’re asleep, but a good cup of Joe will perk you right up.

But the day just isn’t complete until I’ve solved all of the free word games from the New York Times, including Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Strands, and Mini Crossword. If you’re stuck on today’s Wordle answer, we’re here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle #1918 ahead.

Let’s start with a few hints.

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There are two vowels in today’s five-letter word.

Today’s Wordle begins with a consonant.

There are no double letters in today’s Wordle.

A hint for today’s Wordle: Come to your senses!

OK, that’s it for hints—I don’t want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!

Related: 16 Games Like Wordle To Give You Your Word Game Fix More Than Once Every 24 Hours

We’ll have the answer below this friendly reminder of how to play the game.

SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don’t want the answer revealed.

The New York Times

Today’s Wordle answer on Saturday, September 19, 2026, is WAKEN.

-If you missed it, catch up with the answer to yesterday’s Wordle.

Related: Every 5 Letter Word Wordle Hasn’t Used Yet (Updated Daily)

The 1975’s “Somebody Else” has earned another place in breakup-song history, with Billboard ranking the 2016 hit among its “100 Best Breakup Songs of All Time” list. 

The song also has a striking origin story: frontman Matty Healy wrote its lyrics in the backseat of a Los Angeles cab while dealing with the jealousy and guilt that followed a recent breakup.

Billboard placed “Somebody Else” at No. 98 among songs about heartbreak and separation. It highlighted the song’s central feeling: not wanting to be with an ex anymore while still struggling with the thought of that person being with someone else.

That idea became the heart of one of The 1975’s most recognized songs.

Photo by Harry Durrant/Getty Images

“Somebody Else” was released in February 2016 as part of the band’s second studio album, I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It. Spotify currently lists the track at more than one billion streams, a milestone it reached in March 2026. It was the band’s first song to enter Spotify’s Billions Club.

While in Los Angeles, Healy wrote the lyrics in the back of a cab, per uDiscover Music. At the time, he was working through the mixed emotions that came after a breakup, especially jealousy and guilt.

“Somebody Else” was also the last song written for I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It, even though it was among the songs the band revealed ahead of the album’s release.

Healy explained that writing personal experiences into songs helped him understand what he was feeling. In an interview with Coup de Main, he said: “Once I put it in a song, I can objectively think about it – it exists outside of me and I can make sense of it a bit more.”

The song focuses on the difficult feelings that can remain after a relationship ends. Its story is not simply about missing an ex. Instead, it centers on the conflict between moving on and feeling jealous when that former partner begins a new relationship.

Healy also described the emotion behind the song as “guilty jealousy,” explaining that the feeling can come from no longer wanting a relationship while still not wanting someone else to have that person.

That emotional conflict is also why the song has remained closely linked with breakup playlists.

Musically, “Somebody Else” takes a different approach from a loud breakup anthem. The track is a slow, atmospheric song built around electronic production, synth-pop sounds, R&B elements and an ’80s-inspired style. Its five-minute, 47-second runtime gives the song room to move through different emotions.

The song was written by Healy, George Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald. “Somebody Else” was released as a single in February 2016. It later reached No. 55 on the UK Singles Chart and No. 8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart.

The 1975, made up of Healy, Daniel, Adam Hann and Ross MacDonald, formed while the members were teenagers in England and began professionally releasing music in 2012. Their second album became a major international release, reaching No. 1 in several countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

As “Somebody Else” continues to collect streams and appear in discussions about breakup music, its origin remains unusually simple: a songwriter, a Los Angeles cab and the complicated feelings left behind after a relationship ends.

Related: Iconic Revenge Song, Ranked Among ‘Best Breakup Songs of All Time,’ Was Originally Written for Gretchen Wilson