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One of Elvis Presley‘s earliest hits — which is still regarded as one of his best country songs — was later reimagined by the one and only King of Folk, Bob Dylan.

The traditional country track “I Forgot to Remember to Forget” was first recorded by Elvis in 1955, and it ended up earning him his first-ever No. 1 hit on the country charts.

More than a decade later, Dylan put his own spin on the song during his famous basement session recordings with The Band in 1967, though he didn’t officially release his version for more than 45 years, when he dropped The Bootleg Series Vol. 11: The Basement Tapes Complete in November 2014.

Written by Charlie Feathers and Stan Kesler, “I Forgot to Remember to Forget” was released in August 1955 as one of Elvis’ standalone Sun Records singles.

“At that time, I was on the kick of catchy titles,” Kesler once recalled, according to The Boot. “When I began to think about that phrase, it just expanded into ‘I forgot to remember to forget her.’ From there, I started working on it, and it all fell together.”

The song would end up climbing its way to the top of Billboard’s Country & Western chart by February 1956, reigning at No. 1 for two weeks, and becoming Elvis’ first single to hit No. 1 on the country charts. The song was later included on the singer’s 1959 compilation album, A Date with Elvis, and has since been ranked by Rolling Stone as one of Elvis’ Best Country Songs.

Along with a rendition from Dylan, “I Forgot to Remember to Forget” was also reimagined by other music icons, like Johnny Cash (1959) and The Beatles (1964).

The success of “I Forgot to Remember to Forget” was followed shortly after by Elvis’ breakthrough hit “Heartbreak Hotel,” which earned him his first No. 1 song on Billboard’s main top singles chart (now known as the Hot 100). “Heartbreak Hotel” also reached the top of the country charts that year, spending a whopping 17 weeks at No. 1.

Related: 1949 Hit, Named One of the ‘Best Country Songs Ever,’ Was the ‘Saddest’ Song Elvis Presley Ever Heard

Every band from the late ’60s folk scene has a mystery attached to it somewhere. Few are as unresolved as what happened to Licorice McKechnie.

Christina “Licorice” McKechnie sang and played keyboards for the Incredible String Band, the Scottish psychedelic-folk group that took the stage at Woodstock in August 1969 alongside acts like Jimi Hendrix and The Who. The band never became a household name on the level of its festival lineup mates, but it left a mark in places that mattered: Paul McCartney named the group’s 1967 album one of his favorite records of the year, and the band ran in the same London scene as Pink Floyd, sharing management and crossing paths regularly during the psychedelic explosion of the era.

McKechnie left the band in 1972, and by most accounts, that’s roughly where her trail starts to fade. She married and later divorced fellow musician Brian Lambert, and the two stayed loosely in touch for years afterward. According to the commonly repeated version of events, she was last seen in 1987, hitchhiking alone across the Arizona desert. No confirmed sighting has surfaced since.

Theories about what happened next range from the mundane to the dark. Former bandmate Rose Simpson has said plainly, “There’s a possibility she may be dead.” Others believe she simply walked away from the music industry and started over somewhere quiet, choosing anonymity over any kind of legacy. Lambert has leaned toward that version, saying in a later interview that McKechnie “just wanted to have a new life.”

Family members have reportedly hired private investigators over the years with no results, and internet sleuths continue to trade theories and alleged sightings even now, decades removed from her last known contact. Some accounts place her disappearance closer to 1990, muddying the timeline further and adding to just how little anyone actually knows for certain.

Whether McKechnie is alive somewhere far from the spotlight or gone for good, nobody outside her immediate circle seems to have a real answer.

Travis Kelce is finally opening up about his wedding to Taylor Swift!

On July 3, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end married the pop star in a ceremony attended by more than 1,000 guests at New York City’s Madison Square Garden. To date, no photos or videos have been released from the celebrations.

In an ESPN interview alongside Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes that’s set to air on Monday, Sept. 14, just before kickoff between Kansas City and the Denver Broncos, Kelce opened up about the magical night.

In a clip that aired on ESPN on Friday, Sept. 11, ESPN reporter Chris Berman asked Kelce, “I heard you got married. Is this true?”

The football player replied, “This is true, this is true,” before joking, “Didn’t I see you there?”

Kelce added, “It was the best night of my life. Marrying Taylor was more than I could have ever dreamed it to be because of all the people that showed up, and the amount of, you know, love that was in the air.”

RELATED: Brad Paisley Defends Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s Madison Square Garden Wedding: ‘Least Pretentious’

“My perspective, it was a lot of fun, I did a little dancing,” Mahomes added. “I didn’t know if I was gonna be able to dance, and it was good to get my first dancing experience of the offseason.”

Kelce first spoke publicly about the wedding during the Sept. 2 episode of his New Heights podcast that he hosts with his brother Jason Kelce. There, Kelce said the couple’s big day was a “night out we’ll never forget.”

“Me and Taylor are so thankful for everybody that showed up, from the vows to just seeing everyone, to how much fun we had, throughout the entire evening and hearing that, kind of be relayed through everybody’s stories of the night. And it was just so magical, man,” he said.

In addition to Mahomes and his wife, Brittany, wedding guests included Swift’s high school best friend Abigail Anderson, Este, Danielle and Alana Haim; Zoe Kravitz; Ed Sheeran; Jack Antonoff, Mariska Hargitay; Cara Delevingne; Suki Waterhouse; Emma Stone; Gigi Hadid and Bradley Cooper; and Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco.

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani faced calls from some families who were affected by the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the World Trade Center, asking him to skip the memorial that was being held at Ground Zero.

However, Mamdani, who is the city’s fist Muslin mayor, made the decision to attend. He also shared a statement on social media, paying tribute to the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives.

“25 years ago, terrorists killed nearly 3,000 people, including 2,753 New Yorkers,” he captioned the post. “As we remember that terrible day, let us also remember the first responders, office workers, and strangers who ran toward danger to help each other. Let us remember the extraordinary compassion, resilience and bravery that carried our city through its darkest day.

“Today, New York remembers. We will Never Forget.”

A petition with roughly 110,000 signatures, including many from family members of those affected, urged him to stay away from the ceremonies. But he has defended his decision to attend, saying that the anniversary is set to serve as a tribute to the victims, first responders, and families affected by the attacks.

“I love this city. I love this country,” Mamdani told reporters earlier this week.

The reactions to his presence varied, as some commended him for attending, since he is the Mayor of the city where these atrocities occurred. But others called him out for going, saying he should have respected the wishes of others, including some victims’ families, who didn’t want him there.

During the ceremony, Mamdani was beside Gov. Kathy Hochul; her husband, William Hochul; Gov. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey; and former Gov. George E. Pataki of New York. He was also seen shaking hands with Rudolph W. Giuliani, the former mayor who was very critical of Mamdani attending the memorial service.

“The 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11th terror attack is not about politicians,” Anna Bahr, a spokeswoman for the mayor, told The New York Times.

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Paying 40 percent more for replacement windows is a big decision, especially when less expensive options appear to offer many of the same features. The difference is not always visible from inside the house. It can show up in the frame material, glass performance, customization, installation and how much maintenance the windows require over time.

The right question is not whether expensive windows are automatically better. It is whether the added cost buys performance and features that make sense for your home.

If you are already dealing with drafty, damaged or difficult-to-operate windows, a professional assessment can help identify what actually needs to be replaced.

Looking for a starting point? Renewal by Andersen offers a free in-home window consultation and project estimate.

Are high-end replacement windows worth the extra cost?

High-end replacement windows are worth the additional cost when their better materials, energy performance, customization, durability and installation address specific needs in your home. They are less compelling when you are paying primarily for cosmetic upgrades without gaining useful performance or longevity.

That distinction is critical. The most expensive window is not automatically the best replacement window. Energy Star advises homeowners to consider a window’s U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) when comparing products, since those ratings measure insulation and solar-heat performance.

What are you actually paying for?

A premium window package can include improvements that go well beyond the frame itself. Consider the following:

Feature

Standard Replacement

Premium Replacement

Frame

Often vinyl

Composite, fiberglass or other upgraded material

Glass

Double-pane options

Advanced Low-E and other high-performance configurations

Sizing

Standard or limited customization

Made-to-order sizing and shapes

Appearance

Basic colors and profiles

More colors, finishes, grille and hardware choices

Maintenance

Depends on material

Often designed for reduced upkeep

Installation

Varies by contractor

May include specialized installation and project management

The exact difference depends on the brands and configurations being compared. A premium vinyl window with excellent glass and installation may outperform a poorly specified window made from a more expensive material.

Which window features actually justify a higher price?

Energy performance is one of the easiest areas to evaluate because manufacturers provide standardized ratings. U-factor measures how well a window insulates. Lower numbers indicate better insulation.

SHGC measures how much solar heat passes through the glass. The appropriate rating depends on climate and window orientation.

These ratings give homeowners a more useful comparison than price alone.

Glass Can Be More Important Than the Frame

Low-E coatings, multiple panes and gas-filled insulating spaces can significantly change a window’s thermal performance. Energy Star says replacing old single-pane windows with Energy Star-certified windows can lower household energy bills by an average of up to 13 percent nationwide.

That does not mean spending 40 percent more guarantees a 40 percent improvement in energy savings. You should compare the actual performance ratings of the windows in your quote.

Premium Materials Can Reduce Maintenance

Composite frames are another reason homeowners consider moving beyond basic vinyl.

Renewal by Andersen uses its proprietary Fibrex® composite material for its replacement windows. The company says Fibrex combines reclaimed wood fiber and polymer and is designed to provide strength, dimensional stability and low maintenance. Its current product information states that Fibrex material is twice as strong as vinyl and never needs painting.

That may be valuable if you want a particular architectural appearance without accepting the ongoing maintenance associated with traditional wood.

Does custom sizing make premium windows worth it?

For some homes, customization is one of the strongest arguments for paying more.

Older houses frequently have openings that do not conform to today’s standard window sizes. A replacement window designed around the existing opening can avoid forcing the project around an off-the-shelf product.

Renewal by Andersen says its replacement windows are custom-built to measurements taken for each existing opening, with sizing down to ¹⁄₁₆ of an inch. The company also offers specialty shapes and a range of exterior colors and interior finishes.

This is particularly useful when replacing unusually shaped windows or preserving the architectural character of an older home.

How much does installation affect the value of premium windows?

Even an excellent window can perform poorly if it is installed incorrectly.

Ross Trethewey, a building engineer featured on Ask This Old House, puts the issue plainly: “You can have the best window in the world. And if it’s not installed right, you’re not going to have a great outcome.” Renewal by Andersen cites Trethewey in its consumer guidance and notes that Energy Star also warns that poorly installed windows can be drafty.

That makes installation an important part of any apples-to-apples comparison.

A quote that includes measurement, removal, installation, cleanup and warranty support is not directly comparable with the sticker price of a window purchased separately. Ask exactly what each contractor includes when comparing overall costs.

If you are comparing quotes because your current windows are leaking, sticking or creating noticeable drafts, this is the time to get the openings professionally evaluated. A free consultation from Renewal by Andersen can show whether the problem calls for full replacement or a more limited solution.

When should you skip the premium upgrade?

A higher-priced window is harder to justify when the upgrade does not solve a problem you actually have. Consider staying with a less expensive option if:

• The lower-priced window already meets the energy-performance requirements appropriate for your climate.
• You do not need unusual sizes, shapes or finishes.
• The warranty and installation coverage are comparable.
• The premium option offers cosmetic upgrades you do not value.
• The price difference would force you to postpone replacing windows that are already damaged or failing.

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So, are the best replacement windows worth the money?

For homeowners who need custom sizing, improved energy performance, low-maintenance materials or a specific architectural appearance, premium replacement windows can justify a higher upfront price. For homeowners who simply need functional, efficient windows, a less expensive Energy Star-certified option may provide better value.

While important, price is not the ultimate deciding factor. You want to identify which upgrades solve problems in your house and then compare complete installed quotes.

Renewal by Andersen offers custom replacement windows made with Fibrex material, professional installation and a free in-home consultation. Its current warranty information lists 20-year coverage for glass and Fibrex material, 10 years for locks, hinges and other components, and a two-year installation warranty, subject to the applicable warranty terms.

If your windows are overdue for replacement, schedule a free consultation with Renewal by Andersen to get your home’s openings evaluated and receive a project estimate based on the windows you actually need.

Fans packed into one of Nashville’s smallest rock rooms Thursday night, expecting an intimate homecoming set, and got a surprise country music heavyweight along with it.

Kings of Leon played the Basement East, a room that holds under 600 people, marking their most stripped-down hometown gig in roughly two decades. About three songs before the encore, Zach Bryan walked out to join them for “Bowery,” a track the two acts recorded together, and the room turned into a wall of raised phones.

The pairing wasn’t exactly a surprise to those who have been paying attention. Bryan opened several stadium dates on his 2025 tour for Kings of Leon, and the two camps have collaborated in the studio more than once. Bryan also enters the night with a run of RIAA-certified hits behind him, including multiple platinum plaques for “Something in the Orange” and “Heading South.” Thursday marked the first time the two acts performed one of their joint tracks together live.

The band announced the show, with tickets sold exclusively at the venue’s box office, just a day before it happened, then followed it up Thursday morning with news of a tenth studio album, O My Beloved, due out later this year. They used the club gig to debut its lead single, the folk-leaning “My Whole World,” though it turned out to be the only new material aired all night.

Everything else came from the catalog. Early cuts like “Taper Jean Girl” and “King of the Rodeo” sat next to arena staples “Use Somebody” and “Sex on Fire,” while deep tracks including “Pyro” and 2003 debut single “Molly’s Chambers” rounded out the two-hour set.

The show also drew a handful of famous faces, including Lana Del Rey and Chris Isaak, watching alongside the roughly 575 fans who managed to snag a spot.

Melanie Safka, professionally known as Melanie, was still a relatively unknown artist when she took the stage at Woodstock, but what she saw would inspire her biggest breakthrough track.

The Astoria, Queens, native had been performing for years, ever since she was four years old. By the time she was in her 20’s, she was performing at clubs and had released two previous albums. It wasn’t until 1969 that Melanie had a breakthrough as a singer with her track “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)”.

It was her second released single and was included in her third album, Candles in the Rain. The folk song landed her at No.6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and No. 3 on Cash Box. The recording was in collaboration with the Edwin Hawkins Singers, who had secured a record deal with Melanie’s label after their hit track “Oh Happy Day.”

What inspired “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” was a moving moment that Melanie witnessed at the first-ever Woodstock in 1969 in New York. By this time, Melanie didn’t have much popularity behind her name and was one of the first female artists to perform at the event. According to American Songwriter, she didn’t have any plans to attend, as she was working on her album with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Her manager pushed her to go, hoping she would secure a slot.

In an interview with SongFacts, she remembers having been “terrified” at Woodstock, as she had never sung in front of thousands of people. She was also unknown amid hit artists like Joan Baez and Janis Joplin. At 11 p.m., Melanie stepped on stage with just her guitar and no band support and captured the hearts of fans.

“People really connected quickly with me and it instantly resonated with 500,000 people at that one moment,” she said. “I walked on the stage an unknown person and walked off a celebrity.”

It was well reported that it was raining heavily during the festival; the grounds were covered in mud, and things had gotten unsanitary. Melanie was convinced people wanted to go home, but to her surprise, she saw a sea of fans with lit candles and lighters swaying to her music. Melanie recalled it by saying it was like, “Witnessing that hill light up was akin to seeing countless fireflies.”

The moment at Woodstock is what inspired the singer to start “Lay Down (Candles in the Rain)” while she was still on stage, and she would later write it when she got home. She also recalls the significance of the song and Woodstock at the time.

“There was, without getting into it, a strong force going against it, and who would want to look at that? The powers that be do not want a bunch of free happy beings running the planet, end of story, ’nuff said. But here it is, a literal visual of the world that was. Black and white harmony, unity and power. This WAS the world! The dream? You may say I’m a dreamer… candles in the rain,” she said.

Related: 1969 Jazz Rock Song, Written by 17-Year-Old Laura Nyro, Is Still a Powerful Hit 57 Years Later

Netflix landed in hot water following a poorly timed post promoting Season 2 of The Gentlemen. 

On Thursday morning, Netflix UK & Ireland’s X account posted pics from the hit show with the caption, “Nearly did himself a neck injury.” While the photo of the character Eddie Horniman (Theo James) with his head turned awkwardly, staring at Susie Glass (Kaya Scodelario) during his wedding suggests what the unfortunate “neck injury” wording alludes to, some critics took it in a very different way. 

Nearly did himself a neck injury. pic.twitter.com/7HKifplq5g

— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) September 10, 2026 Why is Netflix facing a backlash over ‘The Gentlemen’ Season 2 post? 

The streaming service shared the post on September 10, the one-year anniversary of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Kirk was tragically shot in the neck while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University. A swift backlash brewed as Kirk’s supporters interpreted the social media message as an under-the-radar roast.

“This post will become social media history. When your subscription service fails, this post will come back in millions of views to mock you. Bless you, Charlie. I am sorry these people are so cruel,” wrote one commenter as another posted a screenshot of their canceled Netflix membership, adding, “You guys are sick… I’ve had enough.” But the comments didn’t end there, and neither did the images of membership cancellation pages. 

Several people also posted their cancellation requests, making sure to include reasons such as, “You made fun of Charlie Kirk’s death.”

A firestorm of criticism continues to flood the post, with more of Kirk’s fans piling on: “Hope the person/people behind your ‘clever’ ‘neck injury’ jab gets fired”, “Buh bye. It’s a shame. Conservatives consume TV and movies too. To post something like this is appalling, disgusting”, “I can’t wait to see what happened to the person who posted this”, “Glad we canceled our membership way back. You people are disgusting, amoral demons. Hope your ‘business’ tanks. No one would deserve it more,” and “Posting a neck injury joke on the anniversary of Kirk’s assasination is either unbelievably tone-deaf or deliberate engagment bait.” 

Netflix responded to the outrage, sharing a statement with Fox News Digital, denying any ill intentions and adding, “This post directly references a plot point from our U.K. series, ‘The Gentlemen,’ which launched its second season on Sept. 3. Suggestions that it has any link to sensitive real-world events are inaccurate and ludicrous.” 

In 2026, country music legend Reba McEntire is celebrating an incredible 50-year career that’s as sparkly as the sequins she regularly wore while becoming the most successful female country artist of the 1980s and ‘90s.

Over the years, McEntire has landed 60 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including 24 No. 1s. While she’s often found success singing songs written by others, she has co-written some of her hits with fellow country songwriters, including “Climb That Mountain High” and “Somebody’s Chelsea.“

But across five decades, only one song that McEntire wrote completely on her own has been released as a single — 1985’s “Only in My Mind” — and it became an instant hit.

According to American Songwriter, “Only in My Mind” was the second single released to radio stations from McEntire’s ninth studio album, “Have I Got a Deal For You,” and it reached No. 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

The song, which was featured on McEntire’s first Greatest Hits album in 1987, is a pure country ballad about a complex topic: emotional infidelity. It’s sung from the perspective of a woman whose husband has just asked if she’s ever cheated on him. Her answer? Physically, no — but in her imagination, with someone she knows? Yep.

While she’s proved she has the songwriting chops to pen her own hits, McEntire has been heralded as a champion of other songwriters in Nashville, expertly putting her stamp on their compositions. In fact, in 2018, she received the first-ever Career Maker Award from the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, honoring her commitment to supporting songwriters.

But as she was selecting songs for her 1985 album, McEntire told American Songwriter that she was having a hard time finding tunes that fit the pure country vibe she was going for, which likely led to her including one of her own.

“After two No. 1 records, I thought, boy, now I’ll get the good songs,” McEntire said in 1984. “Well, that wasn’t right.”

Over the years, she’s become an expert at choosing the right songs from other songwriters and collaborating with lyricists and musicians on others. In 2019, she told BUILD that the key to a successful country song is that it’s “gotta have heart; somebody’s got to relate to it.”

“If it touches my heart when I hear the song, then when I sing it, hopefully it’s gonna touch your heart too,” she explained. “That’s a successful song to me.”

Charlie Hunnam has been dreaming about Sons of Anarchy. Literally. The FX limited series Legends — which brings back nearly the entire original cast — started with recurring dreams Hunnam kept having about being back with his co-stars. Not a pitch meeting. Not a network conversation. Dreams. “Obviously something in my subconscious was yearning for that experience,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter. So he wrote it down. FX ordered a six-episode series. And before anyone asks: it’s not what you think.

Here’s the thing. The cast isn’t coming back as their SOA characters. They’re coming back as themselves — or at least as fictional versions of the actual actors who spent seven years playing a motorcycle gang — reuniting at a fan convention where the line between their real lives and their fictional ones starts to blur. When things go sideways, they find themselves up against “a real-world threat more dangerous than anything they ever faced in their show.”

@extra_tv

Charlie Hunnam talks “unfinished business” with “Sons of Anarchy” and getting the gang back together for upcoming “Legends” series. 🏍️ #charliehunnam #sonsofanarchy #jaxteller

♬ original sound – ExtraTV

FX Productions and 20th Television are producing the spinoff. Same infrastructure as the original. Back alongside Hunnam are Ron Perlman, Katey Sagal, Maggie Siff, Mark Boone Junior, Tommy Flanagan, Kim Coates, and Theo Rossi. Coates has already described the new thriller as “smart, wild, funny and dangerous.” Hunnam developed it with writer Jonathan Groff. FX called it “a love letter to the series and a fun meta twist on what fans think they know.” That all tracks.

So where did the idea actually come from? Dreams. Hunnam kept having them. Several over a stretch of time. All about being back with the SOA cast. “Obviously something in my subconscious was yearning for that experience — to have another creative process with that group of people that I loved.” So he did something about it. He wrote a show. Before he took it anywhere near FX, he went to Kurt Sutter to ask for his blessing. He got it. Then he pitched it. FX said yes. “So here we go!” is how Hunnam put it. That feels right.

Related: Charlie Hunnam Spent a Year Inside Ed Gein’s Twisted Mind — 2 Street Kittens in Chicago Saved Him

“It’s definitely not Season 8 of Sons of Anarchy,” Hunnam wants to be clear about that. “It’s the same group of actors, but we are all playing ourselves going on a mad adventure and coming together after 10 years apart, although maintaining deep friendship in that time.”

Here’s what that means for fans who watched Jax Teller die on that highway in 2014.

@jaxteller.samcro

Last ride… the perfect ending #sonsofanarchy #jaxteller #samcro #sons #sonsofanarchyedit #charliehunnam #soa #foryou #fy

♬ som original – Legenda Rock – Legenda Rock

Nobody’s undoing it. Jax is still dead. What’s coming back is the brotherhood — the real people who made that show together — doing something new. Sons of Anarchy ran from 2008 to 2014. Seven seasons. When it started, it drew 2.52 million viewers. The finale drew more than 9 million. Nearly 200% growth over the entire run. Most shows bleed viewers as they go. SOA kept earning new ones right up until Jax rode to his death on the last day. Those people earned their grief. Legends is for them.

What Kurt Sutter Said

Sutter isn’t involved, and he’s made that clear. “I’m not involved with Legends at all — nor should I be. It has nothing to do with the characters I created or the mythology. It’s really about the show and the legacy of the show.” But here’s the wrinkle. His wife Katey Sagal is in it. And Sutter apparently couldn’t just leave the script alone.

“Watch this mother—er,” he told fans, “because I’ve taken a peek at the script that was perhaps just lying on my wife’s knitting table, and it’s really so well done. I think you’ll dig it. I love Charlie to death.”

The man who created the original show and has nothing to do with this one peeked at his wife’s script and told everyone to watch. That’s the most Sons of Anarchy endorsement imaginable.

Hunnam is currently promoting Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story, which hits Netflix in six days on September 17. He got an Emmy nod for playing Ed Gein in the previous Monster season. Legends is next. He wrote it in his sleep. So here we go.

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Casserole season is officially calling, and honestly, we are very ready to answer. As soon as the temperatures start to dip, our cravings shift from light summer meals to bubbling baked pastas, cheesy casseroles, roasted vegetables, brownies and basically anything that can be tucked into the oven and served warm. That cozy casserole dish coming out of the oven makes dinner feel a little nostalgic and special.

And now, Costco has a bakeware set that makes that whole scenario even more appealing. The new Coronet 2-piece Oven-to-Table Set is the kind of kitchen find that manages to be genuinely useful while also being pretty enough to leave sitting on the table. Made from 100% stoneware, the set includes a large rectangular baker and a smaller square baker, giving you two sizes to work with depending on what’s on the menu.

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Baum Coronet 2-Piece Oven-to-Table Set, $32.99 at Costco Baum Coronet 2 Piece Oven-to-Table Set

Costco

But the real selling point may be right there in the name: oven-to-table. These aren’t dishes you’ll want to hide away after the food is done cooking. The stoneware bakers are designed to go straight from the oven to the table, so your bubbling mac and cheese, lasagna, potato gratin or enchiladas can make its grand entrance without requiring a last-minute transfer to a serving dish. The listing says the set can also be used for everything from roasts and brownies to banana bread.

The larger rectangular baker measures 15.8 by 9.7 inches, while the square baker measures 9.8 by 7.8 inches, making the duo handy for everything from a family-sized main dish to a smaller side or dessert. They’re also microwave- and dishwasher-safe, and both are oven-safe up to 450 degree, making it easy to clean up when dinner’s over.

Related: Costco Just Dropped the Prettiest Jewel-Toned Dutch Oven Set

In other words, this is bakeware that understands the assignment. It can handle the cooking, look good enough for serving and then head straight into the dishwasher when everyone has gone back for seconds.

For anyone already mentally planning their fall menu, Costco’s stoneware set feels like a particularly timely addition. Because if casserole season is going to take over our kitchens for the next few months, we might as well serve those comfort food masterpieces in something that looks as good as they taste.

Related: Sur La Table’s Essential Bakeware Set Is Just $40 at Marshalls

Intrepid Travel has released its 2027 “Not Hot List,” an annual curated list of 10 lesser-known destinations it says are ready for more visitors—and where a trip can benefit local economies without adding strain.

Now in its ninth year, the tour operator builds the list based on three criteria: each place must receive fewer visitors than comparable spots, they must already have the infrastructure in place to handle more tourists and there must be something new happening in 2027 (such as a flight route, event or trail opening) that gives travelers an extra incentive to go.

The list draws on insight from the company’s destination and operations experts across 35 countries, as well as tourism boards, local guides and travel trend agency Globetrender.

Related: Why 2026 Is the Summer to Skip the Famous National Parks for These 5 Hidden Gems

Why It Matters Elephants roam Samburu National Reserve in Kenya, a peaceful alternative to the country’s busier safari parks.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Pilesasmiles

Intrepid Travel’s annual list highlights destinations that offer alternatives to some of the world’s most popular travel experiences. A visit to Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve, for instance, offers a quieter option than East Africa’s busier parks and helps to combat overtourism. And a vacation spent on Greece’s picturesque island Alonnisos offers a less-crowded alternative to Greece’s most-booked islands.

The 2027 Not Hot List also includes lesser-known regions of well-traveled countries like Canada and Chile, alongside destinations in Latvia, Georgia and Timor-Leste that receive comparatively few international visitors.

“If we want tourism to continue to be a force for good, we need to constantly rethink how and where we travel,” says Erica Kritikides, general manager of experiences at Intrepid Travel. “The Not Hot List isn’t just about surfacing lesser-known places, it aims to shift the conversation and help travelers to discover new destinations where their visit can make a meaningful contribution to local communities and economies.”

Related: Nantucket Limits Tourists This Summer—Here’s Where to Go Instead

The 10 Destinations For 2027 Western Sweden’s Dalsland province is known for its lakes, forests and outdoor recreation.

Photo credit: Jonas Ingman/WestSweden.com

1. Samburu National Reserve, Kenya — A quieter safari alternative to Kenya’s busier parks, with a tourism model designed to support local conservation and communities.

2. Mestia, Georgia — This Caucasus mountain town is becoming easier to reach, making its hiking, skiing and outdoor adventures available to more visitors year-round.

3. Northern Highlands, Jordan — Beyond Petra and Wadi Rum, Jordan is promoting its greener north, home to Roman ruins, forest reserves and mountain trails.

4. Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada — A new Arctic tourism initiative is turning this Yukon city into a base for community- and Indigenous-led cultural, wildlife and adventure tourism.

5. Alonnisos, Greece — An Aegean island with clear water and a marine park, Alonnisos draws far fewer tourists than nearby Santorini or Mykonos.

6. Dili, Timor-Leste — New flight routes bring opportunities to see one of Southeast Asia’s least-visited countries, known for its reefs and mountains.

7. Pekoe Trail, Sri Lanka — A newly designated long-distance hiking trail passes through Sri Lanka’s tea country, made easier with eased visa rules, new international flights and a responsible tourism strategy.

8. Liepāja, Latvia — This Baltic coastal city has been named Europe’s Capital of Culture for 2027 with more than 500 events planned, giving culture-seeking Latvia visitors an alternative to the capital, Riga.

9. Carretera Austral, Chile — A roughly 770-mile route through Chilean Patagonia’s fjords, glaciers and rainforests takes travelers along a less-crowded journey than Patagonia’s more popular trails.

10. Dalsland, Sweden — A new direct rail link has made it easier than ever to reach western Sweden’s beautiful and pristine lake district, perfect for kayaking, hiking, camping and biking.

Related: The One City You Should Visit Before It Gets Overrun by Tourists

New Guided Tours To Match The Carretera Austral winds through the fjords and glaciers of Chilean Patagonia.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Lucas Monteiro

Intrepid has launched five new guided trips tied to the list. They include a 10-day Kenya Safari Adventure that includes visits to the Samburu National Reserve, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Lake Nakuru National Park and Maasai Mara National Reserve, and a 16-day Wild Canada and Alaska journey that takes travelers through British Columbia, the Yukon and the majestic landscapes of Alaska.

The new journeys also include a 10-day Sri Lanka Hiking Trip on the Pekoe Trail that winds through the island’s emerald-green central highlands and a 12-day Jordan Uncovered tour that explores both the country’s famous highlights and lesser-visited regions such as Umm Qais, Ajloun and Pella. Rounding out the new tours is a nine-day trek on Georgia’s Transcaucasian Trail, which takes travelers on an adventure through Georgia’s Caucasus Mountains.

Related: Gen Z Can’t Stop Booking Impulsive Trips to These 10 Scenic Cities

The List Has a Track Record The mountain town of Mestia, in Georgia’s Caucasus range, is becoming a year-round hub for hiking and skiing.

Photo credit: Getty Images/Tuul and Bruno Morandi

This isn’t the first time Intrepid’s recommendations have been ahead of the curve. The company’s prior Not Hot lists have included Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region and Kyrgyzstan’s Tien Shan mountains, both of which later appeared on The New York Times‘ 52 Places to Go lists. And bookings followed: Intrepid says trips to Pakistan rose 67 percent year-over-year and Kyrgyzstan bookings climbed 62 percent.

Mongolia’s Sainshand, which appeared the company’s annual list in 2025, saw similar growth — bookings for Intrepid’s Trans-Mongolian Railway Adventure (which stops there) jumped 298 percent year-over-year. According to Intrepid, Mongolia’s overall international arrivals grew 16 percent from January to September 2025, twice the average pace across the Asia-Pacific region.

The full 2027 Not Hot List report is available at intrepidtravel.com.

Related: Cruise or All-Inclusive Resort? Travel Advisors Say One Is a Better Value for Travelers Over 60

A recall has been issued for candy due to a choking hazard that could cause “serious injury” or even death. According to a recall notice published on September 10 by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 2.3 million units of sour candy in four flavors have been recalled. 

Related: Multi-State Recall Issued for Pork, Including Texas, California, and Florida, Due to Listeria Risk

The affected candy, Ricky Joy sour crush rolling liquid candy bottles, was sold in the following colors and flavors: blue (blue raspberry), red (strawberry), green (green apple), and pink (watermelon). The bottles hold 1.85 fluid ounces of sour liquid candy, which is intended to be applied through the bottle’s rollerball top, but the rolling ball on the recalled candy bottles can detach. The recall states that this can pose “a risk of serious injury or death from choking hazard.” 

The candy was sold at H-E-B, Forman Mills, and a variety of candy stores nationwide. It was also available for purchase on Walmart.com, CandyFunHouse.com, RickyJoy.com, and other online retailers. The candy was available for purchase from January 2023 through May 2026 and retailed for around $3 per bottle, and between $13 and $32 for packs of three or 12 units.

Related: Recall Issued for Berries Sold at Walmart Due to E. Coli Risk

“Consumers should stop using the candy bottles immediately, take them away from children and contact The Ricky Joy Company for a refund. Consumers will be provided with a pre-paid shipping label to return the recalled product,” states the recall notice. The Ricky Joy Company can be reached toll-free at 404-975-0352 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at rickyjoy.com/pages/recall. 

This is the second candy recall in recent weeks, as a recall was issued for chocolate sold at stores including Marshalls, TJ Maxx, and Homegoods in 13 states. The August 31 recall of Crystal Temptations Halloween Chocolatey Eyeballs was issued due to an undeclared allergen. It was initiated after a TJX analyst discovered that the affected products, which contain whey, “were distributed in packaging that did not reveal the presence of milk.”

Next: Recall Issued for Grill Brushes Sold at Walmart, Amazon, TJ Maxx, Ross Due to Serious Ingestion Hazard

Long before Gerard Way was the frontman of My Chemical Romance, he was a comic book illustrator trying to figure out what came next. Then, on Sept. 11, 2001, Way witnessed the World Trade Center towers collapse in New York, an experience that made him rethink the direction of his life. He turned to music, and what began as a response to one of the darkest days in American history would eventually become My Chemical Romance, one of the most influential rock bands of the 2000s.

@urycorex

Gerard Way habla del 9/11 #mychemicalromance #mcr #gerardway

♬ original sound – Ury Corex

In interviews since Sept. 11, 2001, Gerard Way has described the impact of seeing the World Trade Center collapse as “surreal.” The New Jersey-born comic book illustrator took inspiration from the profundity of the day’s events to change the direction of his life. Citing a feeling that he didn’t want to continue doing what he was doing, Way was inspired to do something he found more meaningful with his life.

Related: 1972 Muzak Version of a Roberta Flack Hit About Unrequited Love Was Playing at the World Trade Center on September 11

Gerard Way Turned His Experience Into Music

The then-24-year-old channeled the experience into music, writing “Skylines and Turnstiles” as a response to the attacks. He quickly formed My Chemical Romance with drummer Matt Pelissier. Ray Toro, his brother Mikey Way and later Frank Iero joined the group. The newly formed band recorded its debut album, I Brought You My Bullets, You Brought Me Your Love, in 2002.

@karren.morga

Interview of “My Chemical Romance”, on how September 11 terrorist attacks directly inspired Gerard Way to form the band. 🎥 Video Credits/Courtesy of: @grammyawards-at LA Live 📌 The September 11 attacks, commonly known as 9/11, were a series of four coordinated suicide terrorist attacks carried out by the extremist group al-Qaeda against the United States on September 11, 2001. Hijackers flew American Airlines Flight 11 into the North Tower and United Airlines Flight 175 into the South Tower. Both 110-story skyscrapers collapsed within two hours. A total of 2,977 victims died in the attacks, including the 19 hijackers. Thousands more have since died from 9/11-related illnesses, such as cancers and respiratory diseases contracted by first responders and survivors at Ground Zero. The “National September 11 Memorial & Museum” in New York City stands in remembrance of the lives lost, preserving the history and ongoing impact of the tragedy. Way experienced a profound wave of human anguish and felt the event was like “the end of the world”. This traumatic experience motivated him to pivot away from his career as an aspiring comic book artist and use music as therapy to process the collective PTSD and “make a difference”. That very night, he wrote the band’s first-ever song, “Skylines and Turnstiles”, which captured the dread and altered reality of that day. Shortly after, he recruited drummer Matt Pelissier and guitarist Ray Toro, officially launching My Chemical Romance. #mychemicalromance #911 #gerardway #fyp #mcrmy

♬ original sound – 𝓚𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓼𝓱 ♡ – 𝓚𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓼𝓱 ♡ My Chemical Romance Defined the 2000s

My Chemical Romance went on to become one of the era’s defining bands, combining emo and alternative rock while perfectly capturing the post-9/11 angst that dominated pop culture.

Their 2004 album Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge produced songs including “I’m Not Okay (I Promise)” and “Helena,” while 2006’s The Black Parade transformed them from alternative-rock darlings into a mainstream phenomenon. “Welcome to the Black Parade” became the band’s defining song and cemented their legacy with a generation of fans.

My Chemical Romance Is Still Making Music

My Chemical Romance split in 2013 but reunited in 2019. In 2026, they’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of The Black Parade with their Long Live the Black Parade tour.

Twenty-five years after witnessing the World Trade Center collapse, Gerard Way’s decision to pursue a more meaningful path helped give rise to one of the defining rock bands of a generation. My Chemical Romance turned the emotions of a pivotal moment in American history into music that continues to resonate with fans decades later.

Related: 1986 Song Inspired by ‘Itsy Bitsy Spider’ Became Carly Simon’s 12th Top 40 Hit

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Keeping up with everything on Netflix is almost like fighting the mythical Hydra. Every time you finish a show, three more seem to pop up in its place. But it’s that seemingly unlimited well of content that has made it the most popular streamer today, even amidst the numerous amounts of competition. And so, at the end of every week, we kick up our feet, grab the remote, and listen for that classic “tudum” sound as we dive into Netflix’s voluminous library.

Luckily for you, Parade has flagged three new shows coming to Netflix this week that can become your new binge obsession! Here’s what you need to check out this weekend (Sept. 11-13, 2026).

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New on Netflix (Sept. 11-13, 2026) Dang! The cast of ‘Dang!’

Courtesy of Netflix

With the massive success of shows like BoJack Horseman and Big Mouth, Netflix has claimed a space in the ever-growing world of adult animation. And it hopes to add another successful show to the pantheon with the newly released Dang! The sitcom focuses on three siblings living in New York City: Narcissist Eunice (Poppy Liu), neurotic Andrew (Andrew Law), and seemingly perfect child Ruthie (Stephanie Hsu). When Ruthie cheats on her husband, blowing up her perfect life, it’s up to the other two to step in and make her realize how much fun there is in being flawed. Created by Law, whose credits include Hacks and The Good Place, you’ll hopefully be left saying only one thing after flying through the season and realizing there’s no more: “Dang!”

Related: Taylor Sheridan’s Best Series Is Finally Coming to Netflix

Untold Mr. T: I Pity The Fool Mr. T

Courtesy of Netflix

Mr. T is one of those people whose rise to success is impossible to recount. Over the years, many have tried to explain how a gruff man with a mohawk, gold chains, and an allergy to sleeves became an ’80s icon. Luckily, a new Netflix documentary, Untold Mr. T: I Pity The Fool, does just that. The special recounts the 74-year-old’s meteoric rise to fame as a star of The A-Team and Rocky III, and why he eventually chose to step out of the spotlight. Whether you’re a fan of his many pop culture appearances in his heyday, or looking to find out more about one of the most ubiquitous men of the ’80s, I pity the fool who doesn’t check this out.

Related: ‘A-Team’ Legend Mr. T, 74, Is Still Sporting His Gold Chains Almost 40 Years After the Show’s End

Crew Girl The cast of ‘Crew Girl’

Courtesy of Netflix

Coming-of-age shows are dime-a-dozen these days. And with the success of Heated Rivalry and Off-Campus, so are series focused around sports. But Crew Girl casts itself out into uncharted waters, exploring the world of competitive rowing. The new show stars Miku Martineau as Teagan Tao, a talented female rower who, after being relocated to the East Coast, realizes her new school does not have a girls’ team. Instead, she’s forced into the role of coxswain for the chaotic boys’ varsity crew, trying to navigate not only keeping them in line but also the romantic feelings churning like the water beneath them. If you’re a fan of dramatic love triangles and watching a ragtag team come together, Crew Girl will make you feel that life is but a dream.

Related: I Watch TV for a Living—These Are the 21 New and Returning Shows I Can’t Wait to See This Fall

Just months after their father’s death, Selena Quintanilla-Pérez’s siblings are engulfed in a legal war. TMZ reports that Selena’s brother, A.B. Quintanilla III, is suing their sister, Suzette, for $1 million from the late singer’s estate, alleging that they agreed with other family members after Selena was shot and killed in 1995 by Yolanda Saldívar.

Rumors spread weeks ago that A.B. filed a lawsuit, and both he and Suzette addressed the legal issues in separate social media posts, but details of the lawsuit are now publicly available. In the lawsuit, A.B. says the agreement was executed by Suzette, Selena’s mom, Marcella Quintanilla, Selena’s husband, Christopher Perez, and A.B. himself, noting that he is listed as a “beneficiary” of the agreement. A.B. also says Suzette launched Q Productions in 2025, where Selena’s estate and likeness are also managed. 

A.B. says things between him and his sister soured after Suzette became CEO and “exercised functional control” over Selena’s business affairs relating to the Entertainment Properties through Q Productions. Since then, A.B. says he hasn’t been paid adequately and is owed the $1 million of shared profits. 

Chris Perez has said on social media that he is staying out of the family drama. “This is me….NOT getting involved in any kind of legal capacity with either side,” Perez wrote on a social media post. “Please, stop tagging me in your posts….that means you. These social media ‘reporter’ guys are so lame…and (seemingly) getting fed false info like goldfish get fed their goldfish food. I hope they eat enough food that their bellies (BELLYS) explode!!!!”

Both A.B. and Suzette were part of the family business, Selena y los Dinos, at the time of Selena’s tragic passing. A.B. served as a producer, songwriter, and musician in the band, while Suzette played drums for the group. They have both been heavily involved in keeping Selena’s legacy alive and expanding it since her death.

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Bed bug treatment can get expensive quickly, especially when the infestation has spread beyond a single room. Homeowners are often faced with two main options: conventional pesticide treatment, which may require multiple visits, or professional heat treatment, which is designed to kill bed bugs and eggs throughout the treated area in a much shorter window. The price difference is significant between the two, but so are the results.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends an integrated approach to bed bug control because successful treatment depends on the size of the infestation, where the insects are hiding and whether every life stage is reached. But before you pay for whole-house heat, it helps to understand what that extra cost actually buys—and where conventional treatment may still make more sense.

Orkin offers both conventional and heat treatments for bed bugs in qualifying areas. A certified Orkin Bed Bug Specialist can inspect the property and recommend the option that best fits the infestation.

Is Bed Bug Heat Treatment Better Than Spray?

Heat treatment can eliminate bed bugs and eggs throughout a properly heated area in a relatively short period, while pesticide-based treatment may provide residual control after application. Neither approach is automatically superior in every home.

The EPA describes professional heat treatment as a “very effective means to control bed bugs” when performed properly. The agency recommends heating infested areas to at least 120°F for 90 minutes to ensure eggs are killed.

Conventional treatments work differently. EPA-registered pesticides may be applied to cracks, crevices and other bed bug harborages, and some products continue working after the initial application.

Orkin offers both methods and bases the choice on an inspection rather than treating every infestation the same way.

Heat vs. Conventional Bed Bug Treatment Explained

Factor

Whole-House Heat

Conventional Treatment

Treatment Speed

Often completed in one intensive treatment

May require several visits

Eggs

Heat can kill eggs when lethal temperatures are reached

Follow-up may be needed as eggs hatch

Residual Control

None after the home cools

Some pesticides provide residual activity

Hidden Areas

Heat can penetrate many furnishings and materials

Products are applied to identified hiding areas

Resistance Concerns

Does not depend on pesticide susceptibility

Resistance can affect some pesticides

Follow-Up

Monitoring remains important

Repeat treatment is often part of the process

The biggest advantage of heat is its ability to attack multiple bed bug life stages at once without relying on insects to come into contact with a pesticide.

Why Is Whole-House Heat Treatment More Expensive?

Whole-house heat requires specialized heaters, fans, temperature sensors and trained technicians who monitor conditions throughout the treatment.

The goal isn’t simply to make the house hot. Lethal temperatures must reach bed bug hiding places without damaging heat-sensitive belongings or creating unsafe conditions.

The EPA specifically warns homeowners not to attempt whole-house heat treatment using thermostats, fireplaces or propane space heaters. Professional systems use equipment capable of heating and monitoring the structure safely, which helps explain why it carries a higher upfront cost.

If you’re weighing the cost of heat against a multi-visit treatment program, Orkin can evaluate the infestation and provide a customized quote based on the property and recommended approach.

Can Heat Kill Bed Bugs in One Day?

Professional heat treatment has the potential to kill bed bugs and eggs during a single treatment when lethal temperatures reach all infested areas. That’s one reason homeowners may find the higher upfront cost attractive.

But a one-day treatment shouldn’t be interpreted as a guarantee that bed bugs can never appear again.

The EPA points out that heat has no residual effect. Once the home cools, there is no remaining treatment to kill bed bugs that are reintroduced later. Monitoring and prevention, therefore, remain important even after successful thermal treatment.

Items that cannot safely withstand high temperatures may also require another treatment method.

Why Does Conventional Bed Bug Treatment Take Longer?

Conventional bed bug treatment often involves more than spraying visible insects. Products may be applied to cracks, furniture, baseboards and other hiding areas, with follow-up visits used to check activity and address insects that survived or emerged later.

Orkin notes that bed bug treatments are “very involved and often involve more than one visit and a variety of treatment products.” The company also emphasizes that follow-up visits are crucial because missing even one bed bug can allow the infestation to continue.

Pesticide resistance can complicate treatment as well. The EPA says effectiveness depends partly on whether the bed bug population has developed resistance to the pesticide or pesticide class being used.

This is one reason professional treatment plans may use multiple methods instead of repeatedly applying the same product.

Is the Higher Cost of Heat Treatment Worth It?

Heat treatment may be worth the additional upfront cost when rapid treatment is especially important or when bed bugs are spread across numerous hiding areas that are difficult to address individually. However, conventional treatment remains a strong option, particularly when residual products and repeated monitoring make sense for the infestation.

The most useful comparison isn’t simply one expensive treatment versus several cheaper sprays. Bed bug control depends heavily on the layout of the home, severity of the infestation, preparation and ability to reach every affected area.

The EPA recommends integrated pest management for exactly that reason: successful bed bug elimination may involve a combination of chemical and nonchemical methods rather than relying automatically on a single technique.

Orkin follows a similar approach. Its Bed Bug Specialists inspect the home before developing a customized solution, with conventional pesticides or heat available depending on the circumstances.

For homeowners deciding whether heat is worth the price, that inspection is probably the most important first step. Paying for the fastest treatment only makes sense if it is also the right treatment for where the bed bugs are hiding and how widespread the infestation has become.

If you’re comparing whole-house heat with conventional bed bug treatment, request a free quote from Orkin. A Bed Bug Specialist can inspect the infestation and recommend the treatment approach that fits your home rather than choosing based on price alone.

Martha Stewart shared three photos on Instagram along with sharing an emotional message in an Instagram post in September. 11, 2026, marking the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

She recalled exactly where she was when she learned of the atrocities that occurred in New York City.

“In 2001 I was in Tokyo when we saw on television live footage of the destruction of the WorldTrade Center towers Of course we could not reach the United States for hours and could not find out the fate of our family members and friends,” she wrote. “We stayed glued to the television for news and we tried to figure out how we could get back to the United States we decided to take the train to Kyoto where we knew we could find peace and beauty amidst the horror of the day .

“I called my friend Mrs Koyama ,who with her mother, had built the Miho Museum and Shumei temple complex . She was stranded in Paris but urged us to go to the temple at Miho for solace and rest We drove through the entrance tunnel, past the museum ( both de signed by IM Pei) and onto the huge beautiful temple ( photo one) it had been designed by the very same Minoru Yamasaki who was the architect of the World Trade Center !!!! As we entered the deserted temple( it was closed that day) the organ played America the Beautiful for us All of us in my small group stood in awe and disbelief and we all cried for the people lost that day in the attack that changed America forever!”

Nearly 3,000 people were killed on Sept. 11, 2001, after two planes that were hijacked by Islamic jihadists crashed into the World Trade Center in New York, while another plane flew into the Pentagon in Washington, DC.

Bananarama turned a miserable summer in London into one of their biggest hits. “Cruel Summer” was inspired by a scorching heat wave in 1983 before the song found an even bigger audience through The Karate Kid the following year.

Bananarama formed in London in 1980 with Sara Dallin, Siobhan Fahey and Keren Woodward. The trio quickly became a fixture on the British pop charts, scoring five Top 10 singles between 1982 and 1983.

“Cruel Summer,” released in June 1983, was the first of those hits that Bananarama had a hand in writing. Producers Steve Jolley and Tony Swain created the backing track, combining steel drums with gritty guitar sounds, while Dallin, Fahey and Woodward wrote the lyrics.

The idea came from what was happening around them. London was experiencing a rare heat wave at the time, and the women were frustrated that they were stuck in the city working while friends were enjoying themselves on vacation. They channeled those feelings into the song. 

“Cruel Summer” quickly caught on in the U.K., reaching No. 8 on the U.K. Singles Chart and earning the group a performance on Top of the Pops in July 1983.

The song’s biggest breakthrough came a year later when it was featured in the 1984 movie The Karate Kid. “Cruel Summer” soundtracks some of Daniel LaRusso’s tougher moments. After the Cobra Kai beat him up at the beach, he heads to his new school, where he gets to know Ali, runs into them again and gets kicked out of soccer tryouts. 

The movie helped Bananarama gain a much bigger following in the U.S. The song eventually climbed to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1984, giving the group its first U.S. Top 10 hit.

Interestingly, Bananarama did not allow “Cruel Summer” to appear on The Karate Kid soundtrack album, though its inclusion in the film still gave the song a major boost.

Woodward later recalled the “massive, welcome shock” of discovering that “Cruel Summer” had made the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10. “Knowing that we’d cracked the top 10 in the Billboard charts was definitely a moment,” she said.

The song’s title has since taken on another pop-culture connection thanks to Taylor Swift’s 2019 hit of the same name. Dallin admitted she hadn’t heard Swift’s version when asked about it. “I haven’t heard it, I’m afraid,” she said. 

Woodward joked, “I would have preferred her recording mine, because then I could have made some of her money.”

Related: 1969 Rock Song, Written by the ‘King of Folk,’ Was Reimagined by Cher Before It Became a Hit

Elton John was 22, sitting at the piano in his mother’s North London apartment, when a scrap of paper covered in someone else’s handwriting turned into one of pop music’s most enduring love songs.

That someone was Bernie Taupin, his songwriting partner since the two were introduced by a record label a few years earlier. Taupin, then just 17, had scribbled the lyrics to “Your Song” on a lined notepad over breakfast at the same kitchen table, working with what he’d later admit was zero real-world experience to draw from. “It’s a very virginal song,” he said of the lyric.

That inexperience turned out to be the whole point. Taupin’s plain, unpolished phrasing gave John something simple enough to build a melody around almost immediately, by his own account, the tune came together in under 20 minutes, start to finish, the moment the lyrics landed in front of him. “I was 22, and he was 19, and it gave us so much confidence,” John later recalled of finishing the song.

“Your Song” appeared on Elton John’s self-titled second album in 1970 and became his commercial breakthrough on both sides of the Atlantic, launching a partnership that would define soft rock for the next decade. It also set the template the two would follow for most of their career: Taupin writes the words alone, hands them off, and John builds the music around them with little revision in either direction.

There’s some dispute over exactly how fast the writing side of things really happened. Taupin has pushed back on the idea that his half took a literal 10 minutes, calling that version an “urban legend” in a 2023 interview and putting the real number closer to 15 or 30 minutes. The quick turnaround on John’s end, though, has never really been in question.

Fifty-six years on, “Your Song” still turns up at weddings, in movie soundtracks, and on classic rock radio without fail. Not bad for a song written by two guys in their late teens and early twenties who, by their own admission, didn’t have much life experience to draw the lyrics from in the first place.