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Tuesday is the day all book lovers look forward to. It’s the day of new releases, whether you’re looking for a new romance, a dystopian story, or something that has you looking for clues. Sept. 29, 2026 is no different, with so many books that you’ll just want to know when you’ll be able to sleep!

Not sure where to start? Whatever genre you’re most interested in, we have seven books that you need to add to your TBR as we say goodbye to September and get ready for spooky season.

Courtesy of HarperCollins ‘Escape Me’ by Tahereh Mafi

Can you believe that Shatter Me turns 15 this year? The dystopian series has captured hearts and minds, and it found a new audience during the pandemic thanks to BookTok. We recently spoke with Tahereh Mafi about the anniversary, as well as the release of the next story in the universe, Escape Me.

Escape Me is the third in the new volume, which picks up 10 years after the events of the Shatter Me story. James Anderson needs a new plan, as he continues to make real moves against the threats to their world. However, nobody is ready to take him seriously, so he needs to act without permission and hope for forgiveness.

Courtesy of Simon & Schuster ‘Trust Fall’ by Lynn Painter

For those ready for a YA contemporary romance to keep the fall vibes, Trust Fall by Lynn Painter is the story to start with. Julia is a small-town girl who is happy with her peaceful life. When her elderly neighbor passes away, she learns that he was a secret multi-millionaire, and he’s left his fortune to Julia and her family. Now she has the opportunity to attend an elite private school, but is that what she really wants?

Well, she doesn’t fit in, and she’s failing. To help with one problem, she gets a tutor who is sure to get her back on track, but this Damion has his own secret. He’s the nephew of the family member who left everything to Julia, and he wants revenge. As the two get to know each other more, they will need to navigate those feelings and initial intentions.

Courtesy of Berkley ‘The Vanished Sister’ by Sherry Thomas

Historical fiction and mystery go together well, and when you think of this genre, you will likely think of Sherlock Holmes. The Vanished Sister by Sherry Thomas is the ninth story in a gender-swapped take on the story, following Charlotte Holmes three years after the decisive blow against Moriarty’s operations.

When Mrs. Watson gets an invitation from her long-estranged sister, Mrs. Carstairs, to attend a nearby house party while she and Charlotte are on the perfect summer holiday, things take a turn. Mrs. Carstairs disappears without a trace, and the body fished out of the Bristol Channel is not hers. So, what happened, and did Mrs. Watson have something to do with it?

Courtesy of HarperCollins ‘The Velvet Knife’ by Maureen Jackson

It’s almost time to return to the world of Truly Devious with The Velvet Knife by Maureen Jackson. This is another YA contemporary piece of fiction, but it’s a mystery instead of romance. Stevie needs to get to the bottom of another mystery: what happened to her boyfriend. She’d much rather deal with a murder than relationship drama, and that’s exactly what she gets.

When a body turns up in the middle of the Manhattan apartment complex, Stevie realizes that her true skills will be tested. Stevie has to start questioning every single human connection, as it’s possible that people may be joining a cult. This is perfect for fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder and One of Us Is Lying.

Courtesy of Putnam ‘The Unhaunting’ by Micaiah Johnson

As it’s the end of September, you’re possibly looking for a horror to get into. The Unhaunting by Micaiah Johnson is just that. It’s the end of the Civil War, and a daughter of the Confederacy believes she’s built a house where nothing bad could happen. Oh, how life seems to have a strange way of proving everyone wrong.

It just takes 170 years for the bad to come out. When Shantell’s best friend, Avery, inherits the house, the two move in optimistically. Shantell is ready to move past the pain and loss in her life, but whether it’s cleaning up black mold or handling the evil spirits, Shantell finds that there’s an eeriness to the calm, and sometimes, you shouldn’t go digging into the past. It’s packed with creepy and unsettling vibes that may just disrupt your sleep for all the right reasons!

Courtesy of Brilliance Publishing ‘Death by Misadventure’ by Jane Bitomsky

There’s another great historical fiction mystery to check out, and this one has nothing to do with Sherlock Holmes. Instead, it follows Coroner John Derrick, who is called to a rather confusing situation. The body of a naked man has been pulled out from under a waterwheel. Only, while it initially looks like an unfortunate accident, the particular missing body part suggests something else.

While the villagers turn away from the horror and don’t all make that much sense, 16-year-old Rebecca shares everything she can, but not out of the goodness of her heart. This is Elizabethan England, and servants are able to move around without being seen, which protects her own clandestine affairs, which she now needs to keep secret as the murder investigation takes place.

Courtesy of Grand Central Publishing ‘American Hagwon’ by Min Jin Lee

If you loved Pachinko, then you’ll want to check out Min Jin Lee’s next novel, American Hagwon. It’s one of the most anticipated books by Spotify’s team, and there are many great reasons for that. It’s a story of sweeping intimacy that forces a person to reckon with their own ambition.

The Koh family used to have a comfortable middle-class life. Then their lives were upended by betrayals and the 1997 Asian financial crisis. All they want is to find their footing, and it means leaving Seoul for Sydney and then Southern California. While this is fiction, there’s a heart to the story that focuses on the belief that education will allow the next generation to find success. Just how far will parents go to provide for their children?

Courtesy of Atria ‘Trad Wife’ by Sarah Langan

If you loved the way that Yesteryear poked fun at the trad wife influencer boom, then you’ll want to check out Trad Wife by Sarah Langan. However, don’t expect the same story at all. This isn’t about a woman stuck in another time or losing her mind. There’s a much darker, more terrifying element to the tale that makes it perfect for horror season.

Jenny Kaplan is desperate to boost her career after online attacks led to her losing her job. When she gets the chance to interview Mia Wright, the social media queen of trad wife influence, she isn’t all that certain at first. But she takes the gig anyway, and as she sees that many of the videos are staged, she learns that there is something much more sinister happening at Black Swan Farm. Can she get out alive?

In 1976, Rainbow, the legendary British hard rock band, released the classic hit “Stargazer,” a nearly nine-minute track that remains one of the band’s most enduring songs.

Decades later, the band, formed by former Deep Purple guitarist Ritchie Blackmore, continues to resonate with generations of rock listeners.

In a curated list by Rolling Stone, titled 100 Greatest Heavy Metal Songs of All Time, Rainbow’s “Stargazer” ranked No. 14.

The publication highlighted the track as the band’s iconic vocalist Ronnie James Dio’s “finest vocal performance on record.”

Released as part of their second studio album, Rising, “Stargazer” was not issued as a commercial single. Instead, “Starstruck” was released as the album’s only single in 1976.

Instead, stations favored the shorter “Starstruck,” which was released as the primary single to promote the album.

Despite the song’s lack of commercial exposure, “Stargazer” was considered a landmark track on the album, with Rising securing the No. 48 spot on the Billboard 200.

Rainbow members pose for a group studio portrait for use on the cover of the band’s album, ‘Rising’, in 1976.

Fin Costello/Redferns/Getty Images

However, before “Stargazer” cemented its status as one of the band’s timeless tracks, the song’s creation had an intriguing story of its own.

The sophomore album was recorded at Musicland Studios in Munich, a windowless basement located beneath a high-rise building in Munich, Germany.

Rainbow was joined by producer Martin Birch, who had previously worked with Blackmore’s former band, Deep Purple.

As for the songwriting process, Blackmore, the band’s founder and primary guitarist, wrote the song while playing the cello instead of the guitar.

“I wrote that on the cello,” Blackmore told Guitar World, via Rolling Stone. “I had given up on the guitar between ’75 and ’78. I completely lost interest. I was sick of hearing other guitar players, and I was tired of my tunes. What I really wanted to be was Jacqueline du Pré on cello, so I started playing cello.”

With Blackmore’s exotic-sounding guitar work, “Stargazer” pairs intricate guitar melodies with Ronnie James Dio’s dramatic and theatrical vocal delivery.

Initially, Blackmore wanted to add a touch of grandeur to the song with the help of the Munich Symphony Orchestra, led by conductor Rainer Pietsch.

However, although the orchestra was brought in and recorded, Blackmore thought its contribution was too much and would overpower the song.

“The orchestra was too flowery, and there was too much detracting from the simple melody,” the guitarist mentioned in an interview, as cited by Louder. “We kept taking out parts, and I felt sorry for Rainer because he was so proud of this grandiose piece he had written. We got down to the bare bones, and mixed in some Mellotron to even out the orchestra not sounding cohesive or in tune.”

Ultimately, “Stargazer” became a defining example of Rainbow’s ability to blend hard rock with grand, theatrical arrangements, transforming its cello-inspired beginnings into an ambitious recording that has endured for five decades.

Related: 1971 Song by Joni Mitchell, Covered By Over 200 Artists, Is Still a Powerful Hit 55 Years Later

Barbara Mandrell’s “Holdin’ On (To the Love I Got)” turns 54 today.

Released on Sept. 25, 1972, the country song reached No. 27 on Billboard’s country chart as Mandrell built toward the superstardom she would eventually achieve. But the song’s biggest claim to fame might just be the names behind it.

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Tammy Wynette Recorded It First

Tammy Wynette, Carmol Taylor, and Norris Wilson wrote “Holdin’ On (To the Love I Got),” with Wynette recording the song herself before Mandrell. Wynette’s version appeared on her September 1972 album, My Man, which Billy Sherrill produced.

Sherrill and Wynette were closely associated with the Countrypolitan sound, which blended traditional country with pop and orchestral elements. PBS described Sherrill as a primary architect of 1970s Countrypolitan, noting that his work with Wynette, George Jones, Charlie Rich, and others helped bring new listeners to country music.

Wynette’s My Man, released Sept. 25, 1972, was recorded at Columbia Studio B in Nashville and produced by Sherrill. The album reached No. 2 on the country albums chart, while its singles included the No. 1 country hits “My Man (Understands)” and “‘Til I Get It Right.”

There was an unusual bit of timing, too: Wynette’s recording appeared on her My Man album on Sept. 25, 1972—the same day Columbia released Mandrell’s version as a single.

Barbara Mandrell Was on the Rise

Mandrell recorded her version of “Holdin’ On (To the Love I Got)” on Aug. 31, 1972, with Sherrill producing. It was released as a single on Sept. 25, backed by “Smile, Somebody Loves You,” and spent 12 weeks on Billboard’s country chart, peaking at No. 27.

Though it wasn’t Mandrell’s biggest hit, the song captures the artist at an interesting moment in her climb.

“Show Me” had reached No. 11. “Holdin’ On” followed at No. 27. “Give a Little, Take a Little” came next at No. 24. Then in 1973, “The Midnight Oil” broke into the Top 10 at No. 7. All four songs appeared on Mandrell’s The Midnight Oil, which ultimately became her most successful album during her Columbia years.

A Snapshot of Early-’70s Nashville

A young Mandrell recording a song written by Wynette, Taylor, and Wilson—and produced by Sherrill—puts several important Nashville names in the same story.

Now, more than five decades later, “Holdin’ On” offers a snapshot of Mandrell on her way to becoming one of country music’s defining stars—and a reminder of just how interconnected Nashville’s songwriting, recording, and production worlds were.

Related: Country Star Claims He Made Out With an NFL Player—and Sings About It in New Song ‘Ring the Bell’

One major sign that you’ve become an adult is discovering a genuine love for home improvement. When you start dreaming up ways to upgrade your space, you know your days of being a carefree kid are officially behind you. Whether you’re fixing a broken pipe, adding a fresh coat of paint to a room or simply finding new ways to declutter a space, there’s something both satisfying and rewarding about getting the job done yourself.

This week, Hobby Lobby is giving shoppers an easy way to jump-start their own home upgrades with versatile finds like this Two Tiered Vanity Organizer. Perfect for bringing order to bathrooms, pantries, kitchen counters and more, it’s an easy way to tackle everyday clutter without breaking the bank, with a more-than-approachable price tag of just $12.99.

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Two Tiered Vanity Organizer, $12.99 at Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby

When it comes to organizing, there’s no end to the creative ways you can make the most of a room. From cramped closets to cluttered countertops, we all have those certain areas that can use a little extra help, which is where finds like this Two Tiered Vanity Organizer really come in handy. Featuring a classic wire frame design, it has two baskets fitted with bamboo bases to keep essentials neat and within reach.

Blending natural wood grain with a modern-industrial design, this handy organizer complements a wide range of interior styles, making it perfect for bathrooms, kitchen counters and pantries alike. Use it to hold hand towels, lotions and other toiletries in the bathroom, or set it up in the kitchen or breakfast nook and fill it with spice jars, coffee pods and other daily essentials.

Related: Hobby Lobby’s $15 Fluted Pie Dish Is Rustic, Elegant and Perfect for Fall Baking

A Versatile Organizer Shoppers Can Put to Work

Hobby Lobby

“LOVE LOVE LOVE these little organizers,” one shopper raved in a five-star review. “I purchased 2 and plan to purchase another one,” they added. “Perfect,” another fan wrote. “Exactly what I was looking for, very sturdy and holds a lot.”

Measuring 14.13 inches tall, 10.5 inches wide and 4.75 inches deep, this compact yet roomy organizer serves well beyond its intended purpose. It shines in small apartments and dorm rooms where shelf space is already limited, effectively making the most of your available vertical space without taking up too much room itself. And with roughly 8.25 inches of space between each shelf, it can even be used to hold small potted plants or serve as an office organizer for corralling small items like a cup of paper clips, a pencil holder, a tiny framed photo and other desk essentials.

If you’re already picturing the perfect location for one (or two) in your house, don’t waste any time adding this stylish and practical find to your cart. While you’re at it, check out Hobby Lobby’s Wood Slat Console Table and Welcome Leaves Coir Doormat for more essential home upgrades.

Related: Dollar General’s $3 Tarot Card Mug Is a Must-Have for Lovers of ‘All Things Spooky and Coffee’

If there’s one thing rock history proves, it’s that just because a song isn’t a chart-topper at first doesn’t mean it won’t end up being a classic (the inverse, of course, is also true). Some of the most influential and beloved tracks of all time never broke the Top 10. A perfect example? “The Witch,” by pioneering garage rockers The Sonics.

Written by Sonics frontman Gerry Roslie, “The Witch” was released as a single in 1964 (and then again on The Sonics’ 1965 debut album, Here Are the Sonics). It started out as a song about a local Washington dance craze and turned into a tune about a woman who mistreated her boyfriend, according to Tales of Tacoma. “The Witch” made a pretty big impression on regional listeners — even though some larger radio stations thought it was too progressive for the mainstream market.

As bassist Andy Parypa recalled later, Pat O’Day, DJ at Seattle’s KJR station, told him that “eventually the song had reached number one in sales, but the station policy said it was too far out to chart at number one. The station only played it after kids got out of schools.”

Despite limited airplay, “The Witch” managed to become one of the most influential songs of the ’60s; after all, there’s a reason why The Sonics are known as “The Grandfathers of Grunge.” When longtime music publication NME included “The Witch” in their roundup of the “100 Best Songs of the ’60s,” it was with the acknowledgment that the song is “creepy as its title suggests, romping along on a honking riff intercut with frenzied surf guitar freakouts.”

The Sonics were clearly ahead of their time, but as Roslie told The Skinny in 2015, the sense of musical exploration that set the band apart wasn’t exactly intentional.

“We were really big fans of The Beatles,” Roslie explained. “We didn’t necessarily want to be them but we did admire the songs and the songwriting talent. We were developing our own style. Actually, more importantly, they were much better musicians than we were!”

“The main thing was that we all had the same attitude to the band and to the music,” he continued. “Everybody wanted to do the same driving music; we didn’t do many love songs. There were a lot of bands emerging who were clearly trying to second guess the whole thing, even trying to copy The Beatles; a lot of bands were trying to do that. But that really wasn’t our thing. We were just too loud and whatever you wanna call it — just too reckless.”

Related: 1965 Rock Hit, Originally a Flop, Remains a Classic Road Trip Anthem 61 Years Later

Of course, it was that loud recklessness that made The Sonics so appealing to the next generation of musicians, including Kurt Cobain, who praised their inventive recording techniques.

“The Sonics recorded very, very cheaply on a two-track, you know, and they just used one microphone over the drums, and they got the most amazing drum sound I’ve ever heard,” Cobain said. “Still to this day, it’s still my favorite drum sound. It sounds like he’s hitting harder than anyone I’ve ever known.” 

Including 11 other tracks in addition to “The Witch” (and clocking in at just 28 minutes long), Here Are the Sonics was ranked as the #1 Best Garage Rock Album of All Time by Paste.

“The Sonics drew the blueprint for garage rock,” wrote Paste’s Loren DiBlasi, going on to praise the album for having “scraped off whatever polish rock ‘n’ roll had accumulated and jammed a distorted boogie into the mix behind the deranged squawking of Gerry Roslie.”

“The Sonics, who had formed in Tacoma, Washington, in 1960, didn’t just point the way toward a louder, more chaotic rock sound with their debut; they also helped define how a garage rock album was made, with limited mics and lots of bleed congealing into a primordial stew of barely controlled commotion,” DiBlasi added. “It added up to a precursor to just about every style of late 20th-century rock ’n’ roll, including punk, post-punk and grunge. A list of the band’s many tributes and admirers would be too long to compile; from Kurt Cobain to LCD Soundsystem, The Sonics touched countless great minds, and thus, almost every corner of popular music.”

Related: 1966 Hit, Ranked the Second ‘Greatest Garage Rock Song of All Time,’ Was Written by a 15-Year-Old Buddy Holly Fan

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After summer’s blistering heat waves, you’re probably awaiting the arrival of crisp fall weather. Thankfully, we’re already in September, so fall showers should be on the horizon. Even if it’s not destined to rain anytime soon, you still need a stellar coat collection to wear all season long. We can’t get enough of this Bernardo Recycled Polyester Rain Coat, and it’s currently 68% off at Nordstrom Rack. 

The coat originally cost $160, but has been marked down to $50 just in time for autumn and the impending holidays. The jacket is available in sizes ranging from extra small to extra large. Customers said that the fit runs slightly large, so make sure to take that into consideration when adding it to your cart. If you plan on layering underneath, then the fact that it runs a bit bigger may actually work in your favor. 

Bernardo Recycled Polyester Rain Coat, $50 (was $160) at Nordstrom Rack

Courtesy of Nordstrom Rack

Shop at Nordstrom Rack

You can shop for the rain coat in three colors and patterns: checkered black and white, matte black, and checkered black and beige. The checkered black and white color is a customer favorite because it’s nearly sold out, so make sure to shop for that offering in a large and XL while you can. The other hues, however, are fully in stock right now. They would even be a great gift option for loved ones since the style is so trendy and affordable.

Bernardo Recycled Polyester Rain Coat, $50 (was $160) at Nordstrom Rack

Courtesy of Nordstrom Rack

Shop at Nordstrom Rack

The outerwear features a spread collar, removable hood, and button straps that you can adjust to your comfort. Simply place your phone or small daily essentials in the front flap pockets whenever you want to go hands-free. The design falls below the waist, so you can wear it with virtually any seasonal pants that you love, including trousers, skirts, leggings, and jeans. The style would look even cuter and more intentional with a turtleneck peeking out of the top. 

Shoppers said that the coat is “perfectly oversized,” has a “good weight,” and is ideal for traveling because it keeps you “warm,” too. Customers loved that the style gives “French vibes,” since it’s not overly bulky and looks classy without trying too hard. Since the clothing is made entirely from recycled polyester, it’s machine washable and can be placed in the dryer, so maintenance is easy as well. 

Related: The North Face’s Packable Rain Jacket Is a Travel-Friendly Layer for Wet Weather

According to reviewers, you can wear a thick sweater or a thin jacket underneath this stunning rain coat and still have a flattering silhouette. The new arrival may not stay in stock for long though, so make sure you take advantage of this deal quickly. Add the outerwear to your Nordstrom Rack cart for 68% off! 

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It’s no secret that the biggest British rock bands of the ’60s borrowed heavily from the blues, from the Rolling Stones to Led Zeppelin to the Who and beyond. Sometimes, though, they did a little bit more than borrow…as was apparently the case when Eric Clapton came up with the guitar solo for one of Cream’s biggest hits, “Strange Brew.”

Released by Stax as a single in 1966 (and the next year on the album Born Under a Bad Sign), Albert King‘s “Crosscut Saw” was itself a reimagining of Tommy McClennan‘s “Cross Cut Saw Blues,” which came out in 1941. King’s version, which became an early hit on the R&B chart, showcased the guitarist’s trademark style of bending.

“In addition to this technique, it is worth noting King’s tone, which is light and distinctive with a bit of edginess coming from the inclusion of some distortion,” music educator and writer James E. Perone wrote in Listen to the Blues!: Exploring a Musical Genre. “In part, it is this combination of lightness, extensive wide string bending, and subtle gritty distortion that helped to give King a sound that was easily identifiable.”

King’s sound was so identifiable, in fact, that its influence can be clearly heard in Clapton’s solo on the 1967 Cream single “Strange Brew,” also released on the band’s album Disraeli Gears.

A 2019 Classic Rock article ranking “Crosscut Saw” at #45 on a list of the “100 Greatest Guitar Solos in Rock” called Clapton a “very naughty boy” for “having lifted the solo wholesale from Albert King’s ‘Crosscut Saw.'”

“To be fair to Clapton, his smash-and-grab job on King’s licks was a tribute to a man he was in complete awe of; something he had in common with fellow King’s men Jimi Hendrix, Gary Moore, Paul Kossoff and Stevie Ray Vaughan,” Classic Rock added.

In the book Deep Blues: A Musical and Cultural History of the Mississippi Delta, author Robert Palmer agreed that Cream’s “Strange Brew” and “Born Under a Bad Sign” “were practically Albert King parodies.”

According to Clapton, it was Atlantic Records chief Ahmet Ertegun who requested a blues cover for the album. Cream obliged with a version of “Hey Lawdy Mama,” first recorded as “Oh Lawdy Mama” in 1934 by Buddy Moss.

“This came from hearing an album that Buddy Guy and Junior Wells did together,” Clapton said in the Classic Albums: Disraeli Gears documentary. “And he did ‘Hey Lawdy Mama’ on that but that riff is from another song, I think a Little Walter song called ‘Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.’ What we did is we took it from shuffle to straight-time…so we took that riff then just [put] the song over that.”

Producer Felix Pappalardi still wasn’t satisfied. So along with his wife, Gail Collins, Pappalardi wrote a new set of lyrics for the song and convinced Clapton to sing lead on the song, instead of Jack Bruce.

“[Felix] took that really from a blues, just a standard 12-bar, and turned it into a kind
of McCartney-esque pop song,” Clapton said. “I wasn’t that mad, and I’m still not that mad about it, as a form, but I respected the fact that it could be done and he knew how to do it…and, of course, he let me play a guitar solo which was…almost like an unspoken deal that if I gave in and played on this kind of pop song, I could play an Albert King guitar solo.”

“Lifted” or not, Clapton’s solo was considered somewhat groundbreaking at the time. A Rolling Stone review of Disraeli Gears called “Strange Brew” “the most complex song and rather an unusual one in that Eric uses reverb — to stunningly mean and sensual effect — and it is really very far away from the usual blues stylings for which he has been noted.”

Related: Grammy-Winning Singer Says She Never Got Credit for Writing ‘One of the Biggest Songs in Rock History’

By the start of the 1970s, the Rolling Stones had already made a name for themselves in rock music, achieving plenty of hits by then. But they were only getting started, and one song from their 1971 album, Sticky Fingers, is still renowned today for its poignant lyrics.

The song “Wild Horses” from the critically acclaimed album was one of the band’s official singles released in the U.S. The track’s music reportedly began as a lullaby Keith Richards was writing for his newborn son, Marlon, who was born in August 1969. But once Mick Jagger started working on the lyrics, the message of the song changed, but kept the same deep emotion.

“Wild Horses” was recorded in late 1969, but thanks to some legal issues with the Rolling Stones’ former label, the song and its album couldn’t come out until 1971. Thankfully, the delay didn’t seem to affect the music’s popularity at all.

As for the single specifically, “Wild Horses” did very well upon release. It peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached No. 11 on the Canada Top Singles chart.

Many people assume the song was written about Jagger’s on-and-off-again girlfriend at the time, Marianne Faithfull, but the singer disputes this. The song also wasn’t written long after former band member Brian Jones died at his home in July 1969. All in all, it was a moment of struggle for the group.

Jagger said of the track in the liner notes of Jump Back: The Best Of The Rolling Stones, “Everyone always says it was written about Marianne, but I don’t think it was; that was all well over by then.”

“But I was definitely very inside this piece emotionally. This is very personal, evocative, and sad. It all sounds rather doomy now, but it was quite a heavy time,” Jagger went on. No matter what the inspiration was, you can hear the intense emotions in the song.

Related: 1980 Hit Song, Rejected by Stevie Nicks, Became an International No. 1 Hit for Another Rock Legend

“Wild Horses” features memorable lyrics like “I watched you suffer/ A dull aching pain/ Now you’ve decided/ To show me the same,” and “Faith has been broken/ Tears must be cried/ Let’s do some living/ After we die.”

Even after decades, the song’s lyrics are remembered as some of the best in rock music. Forbes even included the song in its compilation of “The Greatest Rock Song Lyrics Of All Time,” highlighting the latter verse mentioned above. Considering how big the Rolling Stones’ discography is, this is quite the honor for “Wild Horses.”

Related: 1969 Rock Song, Featuring a Famous Guitar Riff by Jimmy Page, Is Still a Global Hit 57 Years Later

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword answers cover a variety of things, including genetics, relaxation in practice, generations, sea creatures, and pasta sauce.

Working on the daily Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Wordle, and Strands is a whole ritual for many of us. And we can’t forget about the NYT’s The Mini Crossword, too!

Although the NYT is known for “The Crossword,” a larger puzzle for paid subscribers, The Mini has quite the fan following as well. This particular game resets at 10 p.m., unlike some of the others that start over at midnight.

So, if you’re working on today’s Mini Crossword on Saturday, September 26, and need some help (I’ve been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both “Across” and “Down” words, followed by “Across Answers” and “Down Answers,” so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Saturday, September 26, 2026

Here are additional clues for each of the words in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Alphabet song lyric before “Now I know my ABCs” — HINT: Ends with the letter “Z”

8 Across: Sea creature whose name sounds like “Ah, baloney!” — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”

9 Across: Skin markings after a sunny day on the links — HINT: Ends with the letter “N”

10 Across: Gen ___ (member of the “MTV generation”) — HINT: Ends with the letter “R”

11 Across: Medieval weapon — HINT: Starts with the letter “P”

15 Across: Fasting intermittently, say — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”

16 Across: Phrases differently — HINT: Starts with the letter “R”

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

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Shake, like a dog’s tail — HINT: Starts with the letter “W”

2 Down: Gaming console with a number in its name — HINT: Ends with the letter “E”

3 Down: Prestigious J.D. program in New Haven, Conn. — HINT: Ends with the letter “W”

4 Down: Creamy pasta sauce — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”

5 Down: “Believe it or ___ …” — HINT: Ends with the letter “T”

6 Down: Double-helix molecule — HINT: Starts with the letter “D”

7 Down: Buddhism branch associated with gardens — HINT: Starts with the letter “Z”

11 Down: “___ favor” (basic Spanish phrase) — HINT: Ends with the letter “R”

12 Down: What snowboarders try to catch — HINT: Starts with the letter “A”

13 Down: Crossed (out) — HINT: Ends with the letter “D”

14 Down: Creatures on U.F.O.s, for short — HINT: Ends with the letter “S”

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Saturday, September 26, 2026

Don’t go any further unless you want to know exactly what the correct words are in today’s Mini Crossword.

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: Alphabet song lyric before “Now I know my ABCs” — WXYANDZ

8 Across: Sea creature whose name sounds like “Ah, baloney!” — ABALONE

9 Across: Skin markings after a sunny day on the links — GOLFTAN

10 Across: Gen ___ (member of the “MTV generation”) — XER

11 Across: Medieval weapon — POLEAXE

15 Across: Fasting intermittently, say — ONADIET

16 Across: Phrases differently — REWORDS

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Shake, like a dog’s tail — WAG

2 Down: Gaming console with a number in its name — XBOXONE

3 Down: Prestigious J.D. program in New Haven, Conn. — YALELAW

4 Down: Creamy pasta sauce — ALFREDO

5 Down: “Believe it or ___ …” — NOT

6 Down: Double-helix molecule — DNA

7 Down: Buddhism branch associated with gardens — ZEN

11 Down: “___ favor” (basic Spanish phrase) — POR

12 Down: What snowboarders try to catch — AIR

13 Down: Crossed (out) — XED

14 Down: Creatures on U.F.O.s, for short — ETS

Related: NYT Mini Crossword Answers, Hints for Friday, September 25, 2026

In 1967, The Monkees were already one of the biggest acts in America, but one of their most adventurous recordings sounded very different from hits like “I’m a Believer” and “Last Train to Clarksville.”

“Daily Nightly,” written by Michael Nesmith for the group’s fourth album Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., ventured deep into the psychedelic sounds that were sweeping rock music. And 22-year-old Micky Dolenz, a former child star who had gotten his start on the 1950s TV series Circus Boy, helped make a little rock history along the way.

Dolenz sang lead on “Daily Nightly,” but he also played the Moog synthesizer heard throughout the recording, making the track one of the earliest rock recordings to use the revolutionary electronic instrument.

The strange, spacey sounds weren’t coming from some anonymous studio musician, either. Dolenz had become an early adopter of the technology, purchasing one of the first commercially sold modular Moog synthesizers.

His fascination with the instrument came at the perfect time for “Daily Nightly.”

Nesmith had written the song in response to the Sunset Strip curfew riots of late 1966, when young people clashed with authorities over new restrictions aimed at the clubs and nightlife along the famous Los Angeles strip. Rather than write a straightforward protest song, Nesmith cloaked the events in impressionistic lyrics.

The Moog gave that already unusual song an appropriately otherworldly atmosphere.

According to The A.V. Club, Dolenz had recently purchased the instrument when The Monkees recorded “Daily Nightly,” helping Nesmith move away from the country-influenced sound associated with many of his compositions and into something decidedly more psychedelic.

Related: Last Surviving Monkees Member Reveals Heartbreaking Thing He Misses Most About Michael Nesmith, Davy Jones & Peter Tork

Dolenz was hardly new to show business when The Monkees came along. He had starred as Corky on Circus Boy beginning in 1956, performing under the name Mickey Braddock. A decade later, he was cast as the drummer on NBC’s The Monkees, despite having to learn the instrument for the job.

He quickly became one of the group’s most recognizable voices, singing lead on “Last Train to Clarksville,” “Pleasant Valley Sunday” and “I’m a Believer.”

But “Daily Nightly” showed another side of Dolenz and of The Monkees themselves.

The song was featured during the second season of The Monkees, and a black-and-white performance sequence showed Dolenz miming his Moog performance. The track remained a deeper cut for decades, however, and Dolenz said during a 12-stop memorial tour after Davy Jones’ death in 2012 that The Monkees never performed the song live until that tour.

By then, the bizarre electronic instrument Dolenz had experimented with in 1967 no longer sounded quite so alien.

Synthesizers had become part of the fabric of popular music. But on “Daily Nightly,” listeners were hearing rock musicians explore that strange new sonic territory almost from the beginning.

Related: Micky Dolenz Mourns the Loss of ‘Rare Songwriter’ Who ‘Showed Up’ For Davy Jones

Three decades ago this month, Jewel was watching the song she wrote as a teenager climb the charts. “Who Will Save Your Soul” was No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 during the week of Sept. 21, 1996, while sitting at No. 5 on Adult Top 40. But the then-21-year-old singer’s connection to the song stretched back much further.

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Jewel Wrote Her First Song at 16

At 16, Jewel, born Jewel Kilcher, went on a solo hitchhiking trip through Mexico for spring break. While there, she sang in restaurants in exchange for food and noticed that she and the people around her seemed to be waiting for someone to save them. The observation inspired her to write her very first song, “Who Will Save Your Soul.”

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“Writing was the most effective tool I had at that age, and continues to be still the most effective tool I have,” Jewel told USA Today in September 2026.

A raw, rhythm-driven folk-pop anthem, the track is fueled by acoustic guitar strumming and social commentary rooted in personal accountability and self-rescue.

“I remember I wrote down in my journal, ‘You can’t outrun pain,’” Jewel said. “It made a world of sense for me that rather than avoid my pain, I should move toward it.”

She added, “These songs that I wrote were medicine; I really wrote these songs because I desperately needed them.”

Jewel’s vocal style in the song is dynamic and expressive as she shifts between a hushed, spoken-word cadence and falsetto leaps, ultimately blending singer-songwriter storytelling with an edgy alternative-rock attitude.

But the song would have to wait years before becoming a hit.

Jewel Was Homeless When She Was Discovered

In the early ’90s, Jewel fell on hard times. She was living in San Diego and had just lost her job after refusing her boss’ sexual advances. Without her paycheck, she couldn’t afford her rent and eventually ended up living in her car. Meanwhile, she performed at coffeehouses and clubs to make a little money.

One of those venues—and the one that would change her life—was Inner Change in Pacific Beach.

At 19, she began performing regularly at the coffeehouse, with her shows drawing bigger and bigger crowds each week. Eventually, her performances became standing-room-only events.

In August 1993, Inga Vainshtein, who was managing a local band at the time, heard about a “surf girl” who sang at the coffee shop on Thursdays. Vainshtein went to see Jewel perform at Inner Change with a representative from Atlantic Records. After the show, they contacted Danny Goldberg, then Atlantic Records’ head of West Coast operations, and asked him to fund a demo.

By then, Jewel had attracted the attention of multiple major labels. Vainshtein eventually became her manager and helped generate a bidding war that led to Jewel’s deal with Atlantic. She then recorded her debut album, Pieces of You.

“My life changes from the inside out. My life does not change from the outside in,” Jewel said.

“Who Will Save Your Soul” Finally Became a Hit

Pieces of You was released in February 1995. “Who Will Save Your Soul” was released to contemporary hit radio in April 1996 and became Jewel’s first major hit.

On the Billboard Hot 100, it was No. 14 for the week ending Sept. 21, after peaking at No. 11. On Billboard’s Adult Top 40 chart that same week, it was No. 5 and had been on the chart for 17 weeks.

The song eventually gave way to even bigger hits. “You Were Meant for Me” peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, while the “Foolish Games”/“You Were Meant for Me” combination later reached No. 7; Billboard’s chart history can be confusing because “Foolish Games” became the new A-side of the same single and was credited with the earlier No. 2 peak.

What isn’t confusing, though, is the album’s smash success. Pieces of You ultimately became one of the best-selling debut albums ever, earning 12-times Platinum certification in the U.S.

Jewel’s Success Continued With Spirit

Jewel followed Pieces of You with Spirit, released in November 1998. The album debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 and was certified four-times Platinum in the U.S. Its singles included “Hands,” “Down So Long,” and “Jupiter (Swallow the Moon).”

“Hands” reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100, while “Down So Long” reached No. 59 on that chart and No. 10 on Adult Top 40.

Related: 30 Years After Jewel’s 1st Huge Hit in 1996, She’s Busy Changing the World & Raising a Pretty Cool Kid (Exclusive)

Thirteen albums and four Grammy nominations later, Jewel now talks about how those songs served as “medicine” for her and others.

“It was amazing that my entire career has been based on these songs that I built as sort of medicine for myself and ended up feeling like medicine for other people,” Jewel said.

Related: Country Star Claims He Made Out With an NFL Player—and Sings About It in New Song ‘Ring the Bell’

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If your under-sink cabinet is the one space you keep pretending doesn’t exist, having the right organizational tools on hand can make it way easier to fix it. And right now, Walmart has a bestselling storage find on sale that can help you make sense of the chaos. The retailer’s bestselling Taimasi Pull-Out 3-Tier Organizer Set is currently $25, down from $50. It’s available in both white and gray and designed to help maximize tight cabinet spaces without interfering with plumbing.

Each organizer measures 12.44 inches long, 8.78 inches wide, and 13.62 inches high, with drawer heights of 2.56 inches. They’re made from high-hardness plastic and reinforced with thickened stainless steel support tubes. Each set includes two pull-out basket drawers with hollowed handles, six removable dividers per organizer for customizable compartments, anti-slip rubber feet, and opaque drawers that conceal contents. The top-tier covers can also double as storage trays and help prevent dust buildup.

Taimasi Pull-Out 3-Tier Organizer 2-Pack Set, $25 (was $50) at Walmart

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What makes these especially useful for spring cleaning is the stackable design. The trays can be configured as a single-tier, two-tier, or full three-tier system, depending on available height and pipe placement. The pull-out drawers also mean you won’t need to reach into the back of a cabinet to grab a single bottle anymore, which helps keep cleaning supplies, toiletries, and household items organized and accessible.

Reviewers have described the organizers as “easy to assemble” and “space-saving.” One shopper shared, “It holds lots of cleaning supplies, and the pull-out shelves make them easily accessible.” Another wrote, “I used these under my bathroom cabinets and cannot believe how much open space I have now.” A third buyer even called the set “one of the best things I have ever bought.”

Adding tiered under-sink storage can separate backup products from everyday items, keep bottles upright, and prevent any pileups that may form over time. The removable dividers make it easy to create designated sections for cleaning sprays, skincare, or kitchen supplies.

Related: Sweater Weather Is Officially Here, and Walmart’s $15 Long Cardigan Is ‘Perfect for Fall’

With adjustable tiers, pull-out drawers, and a compact design that fits around pipes, the Taimasi Pull-Out 3-Tier Organizer Set is a practical upgrade for anyone who wants to get their home in order. If under-sink organization has been sitting on your to-do list, now is a smart time to finally check it off.

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More than five decades after its release, Stealers Wheel’s “Stuck in the Middle with You” remains one of the most recognizable songs of the 1970s. 

Written by Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan, the 1973 hit first found success on the charts before gaining a much larger audience through Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 film Reservoir Dogs.

Per Elpee, the song reached No. 6 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 on the UK Singles Chart in 1973. It also reached No. 2 in Canada and became an international hit.

Its bright melody and easy-to-remember chorus helped make the track a pop favorite, while its lyrics were built around a very different subject: the uncomfortable feeling of being surrounded by people at a music industry gathering.

Stealers Wheel posed for a group portrait in Amsterdam, Netherlands, 1973.

Gijsbert Hanekroot / Getty Images

The song was written by Rafferty and Egan after an evening that Rafferty remembered as a difficult and boring experience. In an interview with Record Collector, Rafferty explained how the idea came together.

“We signed a contract with a big American company and they threw a launch party in a chic restaurant in Chelsea. There was a huge table with about 50 people there, record company executives and their wives, and musicians and their wives, and the wine was flowing. It was a boisterous evening, but I was sandwiched between two rather boring label executives and their wives. Two days later, Joe Egan and I sat down and we wrote that song in half an hour.”

That experience became the starting point for a song that would eventually travel far beyond the music business world.

“Stuck in the Middle with You” appeared on Stealers Wheel’s self-titled debut album, which was released in 1972. The album was produced by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the American songwriting and production team known for a long list of major hits.

Rafferty handled lead vocals on the recording, while Egan provided harmony. The band also included Paul Pilnick on lead guitar, Tony Williams on bass and Rod Coombes on drums.

The track’s success was especially notable because Stealers Wheel had already gone through changes, including Rafferty’s departure from the band, according to uDiscover Music. He was later persuaded to return after the song began gaining momentum.

The song was also performed on BBC’s Top of the Pops on May 18, 1973.

Listeners sometimes connected Rafferty’s vocal delivery to Bob Dylan. The songwriters had been influenced by Dylan, and the track was described as a parody of his style, per Songfacts. Its lyrics, however, focused on the uncomfortable atmosphere of a music industry cocktail party.

The famous chorus captures the feeling of being trapped between two groups:

“Clowns to the left of me / Jokers to the right / Here I am stuck in the middle with you”

The narrator is surrounded by people but does not feel comfortable among them. Other lines describe fear, confusion and the desire to escape the gathering.

“Trying to make sense of it all / But I can see it makes no sense at all”

The song’s second major chapter came nearly 20 years after its original success.

Quentin Tarantino selected “Stuck in the Middle with You” for his 1992 debut film Reservoir Dogs. The track plays during a memorable scene involving Mr. Blonde, played by Michael Madsen, and a captive police officer.

The use of the song in Reservoir Dogs introduced it to a new generation of listeners and connected the cheerful-sounding track with one of the film’s most widely remembered scenes.

Stealers Wheel eventually ended their run as a band, with the group breaking up in 1975. Rafferty later enjoyed a successful solo career, including the hit “Baker Street.” He died in 2011. Egan died on July 6, 2024.

Even after the members of Stealers Wheel were gone, their best-known song remained in circulation.

More than 50 years after “Stuck in the Middle with You” first became a hit, its simple chorus, unusual story and appearance in Reservoir Dogs have kept the song familiar to listeners across generations.

Related: 1981 Hit by Rush, Never a No. 1 on Billboard, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Guitar Solos of All Time’

With the current popularity of the minimalist Scandinavian and Japandi interior design styles, light-toned wood has been a mainstay in flooring in recent years. Namely, many homeowners have chosen gray wood floors when decorating their homes.

And although those design styles are still as popular as ever, when it comes to wood flooring, homeowners have started gravitating toward something different—and much more timeless.

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To learn more, we spoke with two designers: Melissa Lee, Interior Designer at Vancouver-based commercial design firm Ark & Mason, and Dorothy Weise, Interior Design Department Lead at Chapter Renovation.

Both Lee and Weise agree on the latest flooring trend; however, it’s really not a trend so much as a classic design style that homeowners are embracing once again. In fact, it’s a flooring choice that will likely never go out of fashion, as it complements nearly any interior design style. Keep reading to learn more!

Related: Your Rug May Be Making Your Small Living Room Look Smaller—Designers Explain Why

Why Gray Wood Floors Are Falling Out of Favor

Gladiathor / Getty Images

“During the design era of 2010s, gray floors were hugely popular and tended to have a cooler, more minimalist feel,” Weise explains. “However, they feel a bit more outdated today. With home interiors shifting towards a warmer and more layered approach, cool gray flooring can fight against the wood, natural stone and other earthly atmospheres that are being used throughout homes today.”

Lee agrees that “grey wood tones are definitely falling out of favor.” She adds: “Grey floors can also feel a little flat or cool compared to the warmer, more layered interiors that are becoming popular.”

Related: 5 Outdoor Lighting Mistakes Designers Say Can Make Your Home Look Worse

What Homeowners Are Choosing Instead of Gray Wood Floors

As of late, instead of gray wood floors, homeowners have been embracing classic, warm, medium-toned wood floors. These tones, according to Lee, include chestnut, coffee oak and walnut.

Related: The One Paint Finish Designers Say Most Homeowners Should Never Apply Themselves

Medium-Toned Wood Floors Bring Back Warmth and Timeless Style

kampee patisena / Getty Images

“What I’m seeing more recently is a resurgence of medium-toned wood floors and a return to a more classic look,” Lee says. “People are wanting to bring more richness, warmth, and color back into their interiors, and we’re seeing that reflected in flooring choices.”

“The look people seem to be gravitating toward is a floor that has warmth and richness without feeling overly yellow or too cool and grey,” she adds. “As interiors incorporate richer colors like deeper jewel tones, vibrant blues, taupes, beiges, and mossy greens, these warmer wood floors work really well because they add color depth and help ground the space.”

“Homeowners are looking for warmth and personal character,” adds Weise. However, they don’t want to go “back to the dark espresso floors that were popular before gray.” She believes “medium-brown tones hit that middle ground. They feel rich and established while keeping a room relatively light.”

Related: Deep Plum Is Coming for Beige—Designers Explain Why It’s Fall’s New ‘It’ Color

Why Designers Love Medium-Toned Wood Floors

Klaus Vedfelt / Getty Images

“I personally love this trend,” says Lee. “I renovated my own home back in 2021 and chose a medium, warm oak hardwood, and I still love it today. I think it has a classic, timeless quality that doesn’t feel tied to one particular design trend, which is really important when you’re making a long-term investment like flooring.”

Lee also appreciates how versatile medium-toned wood floors are, because they can complement “both warm and cool colors” in the rest of your space, and “can evolve as your furniture and design style change over time.”

Related: 9 Back-to-School Organization Tips Professional Organizers Swear By

Additionally, when compared to light-toned floors, “medium-brown floors are more forgiving and versatile,” according to Weise.

“The warm, wood-toned floors with visible grain and natural variation can help ground a space without completely dominating it,” she explains. “My personal preference for finishes in a space is to let the character of the wood come through rather than staining, which makes every plank look uniform. These warmer tones have an inherently timeless quality, allowing you to swap out furniture, change the paint and change the cabinetry without needing to completely rethink the flooring.”

Final Takeaways:

Warm, medium-toned woods are taking over in the world of home flooring for a few reasons.

• Light gray wood floors are becoming less popular. Light-toned natural wood floors are still fairly in style, though.
• Warm, medium-toned wood is a great choice for timeless, classic flooring. It’s also easy to match to any interior design style.
• If you’re upgrading your wood floors, don’t listen to trends. Trends come and go, but if you’re installing new hardwood floors, you’ll likely be stuck with them for decades to come. Make sure to choose a wood tone that sparks joy for you and your family rather than what’s trending at the moment.

Up Next:

Related: Black Kitchens Are Coming for White Kitchens—Designers Explain Why Everyone’s Making the Switch

Sources:

• Melissa Lee is the Interior Designer at Vancouver-based commercial design firm Ark & Mason.
• Dorothy Weise is the Interior Design Department Lead at Chapter Renovation.

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If stiff hiking boots usually have you reaching for sneakers instead, Merrell has a pair that gives you more protection without the clunky feel. The brand’s Wrapt Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots are on sale for $80 right now, down from $145, and their lighter, barefoot-inspired design makes them a great option for fall hikes, rainy walks, and everyday wear. They come in five colors, with black and poplar currently marked down.

The boots feature a waterproof suede upper and a membrane that helps keep rain and puddles out while still letting your feet breathe. They also have a roomy toe box, a tongue designed to keep dirt and debris out, and a grippy rubber sole for better traction on the trail. Their zero-drop design keeps the heel and forefoot level, while Merrell’s Barefoot 2 design lets your feet move more naturally.

Wrapt Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots, $80 (were $145) at Merrell

Courtesy of Merrell

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These are great boots for someone who wants a single pair that can handle more than a once-in-a-while hike. The mid-height design offers extra coverage around the ankle, while the lighter, more flexible feel makes them easier to wear even on casual outings like dog walks, rainy errands, sightseeing days, or weekends spent outside. 

One shopper called them “very comfortable and light” with “fantastic” grip, while another said they’re “insanely comfortable” with “no break-in period needed.” Other reviewers have said they’ve worn them through rain, ice, and light snow and for up to eight hours at a time without foot fatigue.

Related: Shoppers With ‘Difficult Feet’ Swear by Skechers’ ‘Very Comfortable’ Memory Foam Boots, On Sale Pre-Prime Day

These are a breeze to work into the outfits you’d already wear for a day spent outdoors. You could pair the black version with leggings, hiking pants, or straight-leg jeans and add a fleece or lightweight jacket for anything from a foliage walk to an afternoon on the trail. They could also earn a spot in your suitcase for a trip where the forecast includes rain and plenty of walking.  

Shop More Hiking Shoe Deals

• Speedarc Matis Mid Gore-Tex Boots, $162 (were $230) at Merrell
• MTL Skyfire 2 Matryx Sneakers, $125 (were $220) at Merrell
• Ontario Mid Waterproof Boots, $120 (were $180) at Merrell

With the Merrell Wrapt Mid Waterproof Hiking Boots nearly half off, now is a great time to snag a pair for fall. They’re waterproof, grippy, and made for comfort on and off the trail. Be sure to grab your size at Merrell while the sale lasts.

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Rush’s 1981 classic “Limelight” has earned another place in rock history, with Guitar World ranking Alex Lifeson’s guitar solo at No. 26 on its list of the 50 greatest guitar solos of all time.

The recognition stands out because “Limelight” was never a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. In fact, the song peaked at No. 55 in the United States after entering the chart in March 1981. It spent nine weeks on the Hot 100.

The song came from Rush’s landmark eighth studio album, Moving Pictures, which was released on Feb. 12, 1981. The album helped take the Canadian rock trio to a much larger audience while keeping the complex musicianship that had defined the band.

Rob Verhorst / Getty Images

For Guitar World, the focus was not the song’s chart position. It placed “Limelight” at No. 26 because of Lifeson’s guitar work, especially the way he built the solo with bends, delay, reverb and careful control of the sound.

Lifeson explained the thinking behind the solo in a 1996 interview with Guitar World.

“The approach on that solo was to try to make it as fluid as possible. There was a lot of bending with lots of long delay repeats and reverb, so notes falling off would overlap with notes coming up. I spent a fair amount of time on that to get the character, but once we locked in on the sound, it came easily.”

According to Guitar World, some of the most noticeable bending in the recording came from whammy bar divebombs played on Lifeson’s Floyd Rose-equipped Hentor Stratocaster. He used a Marshall Club And Country 50-watt combo, while additional amps were placed outside and inside the studio to create a long echo.

Lifeson’s approach made the solo different from a simple display of speed. The guitar moves through sustained notes, bends and effects, giving the section a smooth but dramatic sound.

The solo became one of the most recognized instrumental moments on Moving Pictures, an album that also included “Tom Sawyer,” “Red Barchetta,” “YYZ,” “The Camera Eye,” “Witch Hunt” and “Vital Signs.”

“Limelight” also showed how Rush could make its progressive rock sound more accessible without abandoning the musicianship that had built its following.

The band had already moved toward shorter and more radio-friendly songs on 1980’s Permanent Waves. That change helped prepare the way for Moving Pictures, which brought together progressive rock elements and more direct song structures.

The success of Moving Pictures came at an important point in Rush’s career. The band had spent years building a loyal audience through progressive rock, but the 1981 album pushed them further into the mainstream.

“Limelight” was part of that change. While its Billboard Hot 100 peak was only No. 55, the song became one of Rush’s signature recordings.

The track also carried a personal subject for lyricist and drummer Neil Peart. Its lyrics dealt with the pressure of public attention and the difficulty of protecting a private life after becoming famous.

In an interview with CBC, Peart described the song as an attempt to explain his experience as an introvert dealing with fame. 

“That was an attempt on my part to explain myself as an introvert, feeling totally alienated by the ‘gilded cage’ of it all, and it’s been remarkable over time how many young musicians have come up to me and told me what that song means to them when they faced the same transition in their life,” he said.

That idea gave “Limelight” a different meaning from a typical rock song about fame. It was written from the point of view of someone uncomfortable with being constantly watched.

The song’s place on Moving Pictures was also significant because the album became a major turning point for Rush. Its seven tracks combined the group’s progressive roots with a more accessible sound.

The album later received extensive anniversary treatment. In 2022, Rush released expanded 40th-anniversary editions of Moving Pictures, including previously unreleased recordings from the band’s March 25, 1981, concert at Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto. A live version of “Limelight” was included in those releases, per uDiscover Music.

And while the song did not reach the Billboard Top 10, its guitar solo has received a very different kind of recognition.

Related: Major 2000 Hit, Ranked Among ‘Best Country Songs of All Time,’ Was Once a Taylor Swift Favorite

Even though The Early Spring aired its final episode weeks ago, the series is still building buzz on social media and viewers can’t get enough of Luke/Luan Nian (Jing Boran) and Flora/Shang Zhitao (Sun Qian). Some viewers got a lucky surprise when Youku released two bonus episodes offering a sort of epilogue to Luke and Flora’s storyline.

And what about Season 2 of The Early Spring? We know a second season has been greenlit by Youku, though the studio/streamer behind the hit has been mum on the second series other than it’s happening. Rumors abound on social media with “confirmed” facts about casting and storylines.

Find out more about the rumors surrounding The Early Spring.

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Sun Qian, Jing Boran

The Early Spring

Are there really bonus episodes of The Early Spring?

Apparently, yes. Youku released two bonus episodes on their Youku China platform.

What are the bonus episodes of The Early Spring about?

There were two episodes. Both episodes were released on Sept. 19. Both episodes were around 60 minutes long. The additional episodes focused on Luke and Flora’s romance and the sweet and romantic moments throughout their relationship. It serves as an epilogue of sorts for viewers who wanted more of a resolution to the show’s finale.

Related: Who’s the Real Red Flag in Netflix’s ‘The Early Spring’—Luke or Flora?

Who can stream the bonus episodes of The Early Spring?

Currently, these two bonus episodes are available to subscribers/viewers of Youku China’s platform. There has been no mention of when or if the episodes will be available on Youku’s international platforms.

Related: One of Netflix’s Most Addictive New Romances Is Getting a Follow-Up—and Fans Think They Know the New Leads

How many episodes of The Early Spring are there?

Season 1 of The Early Spring is comprised of 24 episodes though it was originally planned for 32 episodes. It’s unclear how many episodes Season 2 of The Early Spring will have.

Sun Qian, Jing Boran

The Early Spring

What is the sequel to The Early Spring called?

The original series is actually called The Early Spring Clear. The sequel series has been referred to by names including The Midsummer Clear, A Sunny Summer, Midsummer Clarity, A Clear Midsummer Day, Clear Skies in Midsummer and so on. The series seems to be going through the seasons so potentially there could be four seasons of this series. Until we hear officially otherwise, we’ll be referring to the sequel as The Midsummer Clear.

Related: Will Netflix’s Global C-Drama Hit ‘The Early Spring’ Return for Season 2? Here’s What We Know—and the Spinoff Fans Want Next

What is the plot of The Midsummer Clear?

Yezi Zhang

The Early Spring

View the 2 images of this gallery on the original article

An official logline has not been released by Youku, the studios and primary streamer of The Early Spring. We’ve seen unconfirmed posts on social media that the plot of The Midsummer Clear revolves around Luke and Flora’s life post-wedding, following the ups and downs of living together, growing together, getting to know each other’s habits and quirks.

We believe Season 2 will revolve around Lumi (Yezi Zhang) and Will’s (Chang Liu) relationship and subsequent courtship. There’s a sequel to the book The Early Spring is based on called Miss Talkative that follows Lumi and Will and it’s steamier than The Early Spring. We hope it’s their story this time around.

Related: A Chinese Workplace Romance Just Climbed to No. 2 on Netflix’s Global Chart—Why Everyone Is Talking About ‘The Early Spring’

Who stars in The Midsummer Clear?

No official announcements have been made but apparently both Jing Boran and Sun Qian have signed on for the sequel. Whether they will play the main leads of the second series or supporting characters remains to be seen.

When does production start on The Midsummer Clear?

No official dates have been announced but production could and has been rumored to start as early as December 2026.

Where will The Midsummer Clear film?

The Early Spring filmed primary in Beijing, China and Harbin, China. Season 2 is rumored to film in the Jilin province of China and more specifically in the city of Changchun, Jilin.

What is the release date of The Midsummer Clear?

No release date has been announced as production has yet to begin. Should production begin in December 2026, we’re probably looking at a mid to late summer 2027 premier date at the earliest, but it’ll likely be more toward the fall/winter 2027. Check back here for updates!

Next, ‘The Early Spring’ Finale Delivers the Moment Flora and Luke Fans Have Been Waiting For—Here’s What the Ending Means

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Security camera shopping gets technical fast. Product pages may list resolution, field of view, frame rate, HDR, compression, night vision distance and IP ratings without explaining which specifications actually matter in everyday use.

The best camera is not necessarily the one with the biggest number in every category. A wide field of view can be useful for a driveway, while stronger night vision may matter more along a dark side yard. Outdoor cameras also need enough weather protection for the location where they will be mounted.

Current Google Nest cameras offered through ADT illustrate how those specifications can vary. The wired Nest Cam Outdoor, for example, records up to 2K at 30 frames per second, has a 152-degree diagonal field of view and carries an IP65 weather-resistance rating.

Here are seven specifications worth checking before you buy.

If you’re comparing cameras for several areas around the house, ADT can help match compatible Google Nest cameras to the locations you want to monitor.

1. How Much Security Camera Resolution Do You Really Need?

Resolution determines how many pixels make up the recorded image. Higher resolution generally captures more detail, which can help when reviewing faces, clothing or activity farther from the camera. But higher-resolution video also requires more network bandwidth and storage.

Google’s current wired Nest Cam Outdoor supports up to 2560 x 1440, or 2K, at 30 fps. ADT notes that reaching 2K resolution depends on Wi-Fi and network strength and requires at least 3.3 Mbps of connectivity speed. For many residential locations, 1080p or 2K provides a useful balance between detail and bandwidth.

2. What Field of View Is Best for a Security Camera?

Field of view tells you how much of the scene the camera can capture. A wider angle can cover more of a driveway, yard or large room and may reduce the number of cameras needed. The tradeoff is that objects can appear smaller when a camera is trying to cover a very broad scene.

Current Nest models range from roughly 130 degrees to 152 degrees diagonal, depending on the camera. Google’s second-generation wired Nest Cam Outdoor has a 152-degree field of view, while the battery Nest Cam uses a 130-degree view.

Placement still matters. A wide-angle camera mounted too high or pointed toward an unnecessary area can waste much of that coverage.

Related: Layered Home Defense: Combining Security Cameras, Alarms and Landscape Lighting

3. Does Security Camera Frame Rate Matter?

Frame rate, measured in frames per second (FPS), affects how smoothly motion appears in recorded video. A higher frame rate can make moving people, cars or other activity easier to follow. Current Nest cameras commonly record at up to 30 FPS, including the 2K wired outdoor model and several 1080p models.

Thirty FPS is generally enough for typical residential surveillance.

Specification

What It Affects

What to Look For

Resolution

Image detail

1080p or 2K

Field of view

Amount of area covered

Around 130°+ for broad areas

Frame rate

Smoothness of motion

Up to 30 FPS

Night vision

Visibility after dark

IR range suited to location

HDR

Detail in bright/dark scenes

Useful at doors and windows

Compression

Bandwidth/storage use

H.264 or H.265

IP rating

Outdoor durability

Rating appropriate for exposure

4. How Far Should Night Vision Reach?

Night vision range matters most in areas with little exterior lighting. Infrared LEDs allow many security cameras to record in darkness, but the useful distance varies by model. Google’s current wired Nest Cam Outdoor provides infrared illumination up to about 20 feet, while its indoor wired model reaches about 15 feet.

A camera covering a short porch needs less reach than one overlooking the far end of a driveway.

When choosing camera locations, ADT can help determine whether the available night-vision range and field of view fit the area you want covered.

5. Is HDR Important on a Security Camera?

HDR, or high dynamic range, helps cameras preserve detail when a scene contains very bright and very dark areas at the same time. That can be especially useful at a front door, garage or window where bright daylight may sit behind a person standing in shade.

Google includes HDR on current Nest cameras, including its wired and battery outdoor models. HDR won’t compensate for poor placement, but it can make difficult lighting conditions easier to handle.

6. What Do H.264 and H.265 Mean?

H.264 and H.265 are video-compression formats. Compression reduces the amount of data needed to store and transmit video. H.265 is newer and can deliver similar image quality at lower bitrates in many applications, although compatibility varies by system.

Google’s newest wired Nest Cam Indoor and Outdoor models support H.264 and H.265 encoding, while several older Nest models use H.264. For homeowners, the practical question is whether the camera can deliver the desired video quality without overwhelming the home network. That is particularly important when several cameras are streaming at once.

Related: Self-Monitoring Security: What Happens if You Miss the Alert?

7. What IP Rating Should an Outdoor Security Camera Have?

An IP rating describes how well an enclosure resists dust and water. The first digit refers to protection against solid particles, while the second addresses moisture. Outdoor cameras should have a rating appropriate for their level of exposure.

Google’s second-generation wired Nest Cam Outdoor is designed to comply with IP65, while the battery Nest Cam carries an IP54 rating. Google notes that these ratings indicate resistance to dust and water but do not make the devices completely waterproof.

ADT’s Blu Outdoor Camera also carries an IP65 rating and is rated for temperatures from -4°F to 113°F. Just keep in mind that a covered porch and a fully exposed exterior wall don’t necessarily require the same level of protection.

What’s the Best Security Camera for Your Home?

The best security camera is the one whose specifications match the job. For a large driveway, prioritize field of view, resolution and night vision. For a front entrance, HDR and two-way audio may matter more. Outdoor cameras should also be rated for the weather and temperatures they will actually experience.

Cybersecurity belongs on the checklist, too. The Federal Trade Commission recommends choosing cameras that support encryption, keeping their software updated and protecting the home Wi-Fi network with WPA2 or WPA3.

Comparing those details before buying is more useful than choosing a camera based on resolution alone.

If you’re building a camera setup around an ADT security system, ADT can help you compare compatible camera options based on the areas you want to monitor and the connectivity available at your home.

This article was drafted with the assistance of AI and thoroughly reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by Parade editors. See our complete AI Policy.

According to a report obtained by TMZ, the 61-year-old, whose legal name is Scott Thompson, was informed by his manager on September 18, roughly an hour before the incident, that a story alleging sexual misconduct was about to publish. Those allegations, tied to a separate legal dispute, have not been proven.

Police say dispatch got a call about an unresponsive man at Thompson’s home around 4:20 p.m. that day. Officers arrived quickly to find him breathing but unconscious near his backyard pool. According to the report, his manager had called minutes earlier to tell him about the impending story; Thompson said his show was over, then hung up and sent a one-word text: “Done.” The manager immediately requested a welfare check from local authorities.

Thompson is still hospitalized following what police described as a suspected overdose. His longtime representative, Jami Schlicher, says he’s now breathing on his own and in touch with family, and that his loved ones are “deeply grateful for the concern” while they ask for privacy. His Friday and Saturday shows at the Atrium Showroom were canceled, and as of this week, no return date has been set.

The hospitalization comes in the middle of an already difficult stretch for the comedian. That fight stems from an August lawsuit filed by singer Brian Evans, who accuses Thompson of sending an unsolicited explicit video; Thompson’s attorney, Ronnie Bitman, has separately alleged an extortion attempt tied to the same footage, though a related police report in Florida led to no charges. Thompson has headlined the Atrium Showroom since November 2005, making it the longest-running solo act on the Strip, and fans have flooded social media with well wishes and support as he recovers.

If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text, any time.

Legendary singer-songwriter Buck Owens, who served as the frontman for the Buckaroos, put out hit after hit during his long career in music. But one of his most romantic songs was his 1964 track “Together Again.”

Owens wrote the song in the early ’60s and put it out as an official single on his album Together Again, which was released in July 1964. Both “Together Again” and the other official single, “My Heart Skips a Beat,” were released a little earlier in the year, and they immediately became popular with music fans.

“My Heart Skips a Beat” became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in May 1964, and the next month, “Together Again” switched positions with the other single to become a No. 1 hit as well.

Over the years, Owens’ hit song was covered by many different artists, and it became a hit again quite a few times. Ray Charles released a cover in 1966 that did well on multiple Billboard charts, while Emmylou Harris‘ 1975 version hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.

Then came Kenny Rogers and Dottie West‘s duet in 1983, which peaked at No. 19 on the Hot Country Singles chart. Many other singers made versions of the track as well in the decades since Owens’ hit first came out.

Related: 1972 Hit Ballad, Made Famous by Elvis Presley and Willie Nelson, Among Top 100 Songs of the 20th Century

Along with the enduring popularity of “Together Again,” it is also well-known as one of the best love songs in country music. With lyrics like “The key to my heart/ You hold in your hand/ And nothing else matters/ We’re together again,” it’s no wonder people love it so much.

Even over half a century after it was released, critics adore the track, and “Together Again” was ranked No. 41 on Billboard‘s list of the “Top Country Love Songs of All Time.” The publication said, “Buck Owens sings about the kind of reunion that feels like it’s happening in slow motion in ‘Together Again.'”

The song is simple and to the point, and fans can’t help but feel the love Owens wrote about while listening to the song.

Related: 1978 Rock Song, Featuring a Historic Guitar Solo From Eddie Van Halen, Is Still a Smash Hit 48 Years Later