Q. What are some of the common characteristics that define songs that hit the top of the charts? . A. Some would argue that dissecting art is a fool’s errand, that the magic is in the mix. If it was easy, surely more people would have followed ‘hit song’ research

Q. Has 2020 plague life changed us deeply? We can revisit that question in 2022. But, in the thick of it, how does all this affect how we experience art? . A. We’ve certainly found ourselves looking anew at masterpieces through our 2020 eyes. Take Magritte’s 1928 painting of The Lovers

Q. Today might be a good day to ask: which songs do people find most calming? . A. A 2019 poll of 2,000 Brits – commissioned by Rescue Remedy – identified their Top 30 Most Relaxing Songs. In first place? Louis Armstrong with his Wonderful World. Written by Bob Thiele

Q. Well, what are the Top Twenty Albums of All Time? . A. As if the world didn’t already have enough to argue about. Nevertheless, Rolling Stone Magazine has come out with its 2020 list of the Best Albums of All Time. What would be on your best of the

Q. Which paintings – historical to current – do people recognize and/or talk about the most? . A. We can all guess #1, but in November of 2019, CNN Style did an in-depth analysis of the 15 most frequently searched masterpieces. The winners were.. . i. Mona Lisa. Leonardo da

Q. “I now pronounce you…” The formal ceremony is over, the couple have kissed, family and friends are standing, clapping, dabbing at tears. Now, it’s time for the newlyweds to turn and walk back down the aisle. What music will lead them out? . A. For some, Mendelssohn’s Wedding March

Q. Sixty years! It’s been sixty years since the brilliant Dr. Seuss – aka Theodor Seuss Geisel – wrote Green Eggs and Ham. ‘I do not like them, Sam-I-am. I do not like green eggs and ham.’ One of Seuss’ great gifts was his ability to make up words that

Q. What are sugarplums? Wee fruits in hot, dry lands? Ordinary purple plums coated in sugar? Fairy tale fancies? A. Tchaikovsky gave the fairy in charge of these mysterious edibles a signature Nutcracker Dance and a sparkling celesta accompaniment. . Nina Kaptsova. Bolshoi Ballet. 2010 . Poet Clement Moore celebrated

Q. What would it take to throw a wrench into the rigid world of Edwardian dinner parties? . A. Revenge is a dish best served backwards. In the fastidiously ritualistic world of Edwardian Britain, it was easy to exact revenge on one’s nemeses at dinner. Want to mortify the hosts?

Q. As beleaguered teachers work to enliven their lessons and fill online learning hours, it begs the question: which school time learning songs best caught your attention, helped you learn concepts, then actually stayed in your head? . A. When edutainment songs don’t work, they really don’t work. RIP awkward