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Even though most of us haven’t exactly received an invitation to her house, here are plenty of reasons to believe Dolly Parton would be a wonderful hostess. Between her famously witty personality, her bakeware line, and her growing homeware collection, she’s given us a pretty good idea of the kind of entertainer she might be: Warm, welcoming, whimsical, and never afraid to put a little personality on the table.

While we wait for our invitation to Dolly’s place to come through, the Dolly Parton Acacia Reversible Cutting Board With Butterfly Print makes a pretty great stand-in. Walmart has it for just $11, and its pretty design can make even a simple spread of cheese, crackers, fruit, or appetizers look a little more special. It’s just as useful for serving biscuits and cornbread at a family brunch as it is for putting out snacks at a party, too.

Dolly Parton Acacia Reversible Cutting Board With Butterfly Print, $11 at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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Pretty enough to leave propped against your backsplash between uses, this acacia cutting board turns a kitchen essential into a small piece of countertop decor. Scattered butterflies on the surface are rendered in jewel-toned blues, purples, pinks, and magentas, with larger butterflies accompanied by smaller ones for a more organic, fluttering arrangement. Look closely, and the wings have an almost mosaic or stained-glass quality, built from tiny fragment-like sections of color outlined with darker lines. The intricate patterning gives each wing dimension and makes the butterflies look pieced together from miniature shards of colored glass.

The decorative details are concentrated around the corners, leaving plenty of the natural acacia wood grain visible through the center. A lighter stripe running through the wood adds another organic detail, while Dolly’s signature and a tiny butterfly mark appear subtly near one edge. Flip the board over, and you get an entirely plain wood-grain surface, so you can keep the embellished side facing out when displaying it and use the undecorated reverse when you want a simpler prep surface. 

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• Dolly Parton Bamboo Reversible Cutting Board With Pink Butterfly Print, $10 at Walmart
• Dolly Parton Plastic 4-Piece Cutting Mat Set, $9 at Walmart
• Dolly Parton 3-Piece Chef Knife Set With Rose Pattern Handles, $9 at Walmart

Beyond the decoration, acacia is a durable hardwood with a smooth surface that’s gentle on knife blades, making this functional enough for everyday slicing and chopping rather than purely decorative use. Its compact footprint is especially handy for quick prep jobs when pulling out an oversized cutting board feels unnecessary, and it can transition straight from prep to presentation for appetizers or snacks. To preserve both the wood and butterfly artwork, it should be hand-washed and dried promptly.

Related: Dolly Parton’s Stainless Steel Travel Mugs are ‘Perfect’ for ‘Coffee in the Morning,’ and Start at $20 on Amazon

There’s always room for Southern hospitality at the table. Shop the Dolly Parton Acacia Reversible Cutting Board With Butterfly Print for $11 at Walmart and give your next snack spread extra charm!

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Years before Joe Walsh wrote some of the most famous guitar riffs in rock history for the Eagles, like “Life in the Fast Lane,” the legendary musician was coming up with catchy tunes as a member of the James Gang…and one of those songs is still among the most popular of his career.

Released in 1970 as the first single from the James Gang’s second album, James Gang Rides Again, “Funk #49” helped to establish Walsh as a major player on the music scene. And as Walsh told Rolling Stone in 2016, it all started with a jam.

“Before we really started writing our own songs in the James Gang we’d play covers, and then in the middle of them we’d go for a jam for four or five minutes,” Walsh explained.

“At some point we had six or seven of those sections, and we didn’t need to cover other people’s songs anymore,” he continued. “We took those jams and wrote words to them, and that was really the first and second James Gang albums.”

“The ‘Funk #49’ jam was one we always happened to crush, so we recorded it for Rides Again,” Walsh added.

“How’d we get the name? We said, ‘Hey, this is that funk jam we have!’ And it seemed like we were counting how many times we ever played it. We thought it was right around 50. But we were in the studio with Bill Szymczyk, who was our engineer at the time, and he said, ‘It couldn’t have been 50.’ So we said, ‘OK, well, 49 then!'”

Related: Legendary Rock Star, 78, Surprises Fans With Performance of 1973 Chart-Topper

As Walsh explained in the book The Guitar Greats, he was responsible for “basic guitar lick,” while his bandmates made other contributions to the song.

“The words never really impressed me intellectually,” he admitted, “but they seemed to fit somehow. It was a real good example of how we put things together, bearing in mind that it was a three-piece group, and I don’t think that there was any overdubbing. The only thing we really added was the percussion middle part, which the three of us actually played, putting some parts on top of the drums, but that’s the three-piece James Gang, and that’s the energy and kind of the symmetry we were all about.”

That energy and symmetry still hit just as hard with listeners over 50 years later. “Funk #49” is still a regular fixture on classic rock radio, per Online Radio Box, not to mention a streaming hit: At the time of this writing, “Funk #49” has 80,122,260 plays on Spotify alone.

Related: The Eagles’ 1974 Classic Cover Was a Huge Disappointment to Original Songwriter: ‘As Exciting as Watching Paint Dry’

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If you’re a BookTok girly, or just love a good romance, then you’ve definitely stumbled upon the romantasy genre. Combining fantasy elements with romantic storylines—and usually a lot of spicy intimate scenes—these fantastical books have become a staple online in the bookish communities. When it comes to the most popular or best romantasy books around, titles like A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) by Sarah J. Maas, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout come to mind. 

But readers who love romantasy don’t just love reading; you might also be an avid consumer of PerfumeTok content, too. Whether you’re all up in the latest fragrances trending over there or you just love fragrances, and you can’t get enough of these novels, then perfumes based on books might just be up your alley. And if so, then we have several romantasy book-inspired fragrances suggested by a fragrance aficionado who just so happens to be a massive fan of this genre of books as well: Kathleen Fuentes. 

Parade spoke with Fuentes, a popular beauty content creator who has a separate perfume-related TikTok account, @KathleenSmells, with over 150k followers. She’s been known as KathleenLights online for over a decade and has over 659k followers on TikTok and nearly 2 million followers on Instagram. She’s also talked about her love of the romance genre of books on her YouTube, which has over 4 million subscribers. 

“I’ve been a reader for a long time, but the book that really made me feel something was Anna and the French Kiss when I was in ninth grade. It was one of those stories that completely hooked me and made me chase that feeling ever since,” she tells Parade. “Since then, romance has stayed one of my favorite genres, and over time that naturally expanded into romantasy too. I’ve always loved stories with strong emotional payoff, tension and a big sweeping love story at the center.”

Fuentes’s company, Lights Lacquer—which just launched its first-ever hair and body mist, Amber Hour—even released a Dark Fantasy collection last year, which was inspired by dark fantasy romance books on BookTok. So you’re in great hands when it comes to discovering perfumes matching romantasy books, as well as fragrances that best match your favorite reading tropes. Read on to find out which perfume you need to try out next!

Related: If You Loved ‘Quicksilver,’ You Won’t Be Able To Put These 11 Books Down, Librarians Say

Quick Guide: Matching Romantasy Books to Signature Fragrances

Romantasy Book Title

The Recommended Perfume

Main Scent Notes

‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J. Maas

KAYALI Eden Sparkling Lychee

Sparkling Lychee, Rose Damascena, Vanilla Absolute

‘Fourth Wing’ by Rebecca Yarros

Discothèque Next To Me or Nothing

Cold Milk, Star Jasmine, Sandalwood

‘From Blood and Ash’ by Jennifer L. Armentrout

5 SENS Catch Feelings

Damask Rose, Vetiver Roots, Lychee

‘Quicksilver’ by Callie Hart

Courrèges Hyper Musc

Musk, Peppermint, Vanilla

‘Throne of Glass’ by Sarah J. Maas

NEST Indigo

Moroccan Tea, Bergamot, Wild Fig

How We Paired Iconic Romantasy Vibes With Fragrance Profiles

As we stated above, Fuentes is a massive romance book lover and has talked about romantasy on her social media platforms often. So she knows these books and the themes and tropes within them very well. Not to mention, she has a strong knowledge of perfumes and the many notes that go into them. So when it came to pairing iconic romantasy books with fragrances that have different notes that make them fit right in with the story or vibes, Fuentes knows more than a thing or two. 

For instance, she tells Parade the fragrance notes that match romantasy as a genre.

“The notes that come to mind for romantasy are iris, rose, bergamot, musk and amber,” she shares. “To me, that mix captures what romantasy does so well: something luminous and romantic, but also soft, emotional and a little mysterious.”

She states that “bergamot gives that sparkling, almost magical opening; rose and iris bring elegance and romance; musk adds intimacy; and amber gives warmth and depth.”

Related: 27 Books Like ‘ACOTAR,’ According to Librarians

The 5 Best Perfumes Based on Your Favorite Fantasy Book, According to a Fragrance Expert ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ by Sarah J. Maas — KAYALI Eden Sparkling Lychee, $29-$150

Sephora

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ACOTAR is one of the most well-known romantasy books around. The 2015 novel is the first in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series by Maas and follows a hunter named Feyre who gets dragged off to a magical land as retribution for killing a wolf by a High Fae named Tamlin (who turns into a beast as well). Feyre’s feelings for Tamlin transform, and they face a threat to his land together. 

So for a perfume that pairs well with the ACOTAR story and themes, Fuentes chose KAYALI Eden Sparkling Lychee. 

“This works because it has a bright, juicy, addictive quality that feels romantic and fantasy-driven, but still playful,” she shares. “It fits the escapist, lush world of ACOTAR.”

‘Fourth Wing’ by Rebecca Yarros — Discothèque Next To Me or Nothing, $39-$175

Discothèque

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Yarros’ book, Fourth Wing, is another one that feels synonymous with the romantasy genre because of its popularity. It came out in 2023 and follows Violet Sorrengail, a small-in-stature young woman who loves books and was prepared to live a “quiet life” among them. That is, until her mother orders her to join the elite group of dragon riders at Basgiath War College, which is where our adventure begins. 

For a story like this, Fuentes suggests a perfume from luxury fragrance brand Discothèque: Next To Me or Nothing.

“This feels bold, electric and high-intensity, which matches the adrenaline and tension of Fourth Wing,” she states. “It gives main-character energy.”

‘From Blood and Ash’ by Jennifer L. Armentrout — 5 SENS Catch Feelings, $65

Sephora

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Like most of the books listed here and those within the romantasy genre, From Blood and Ash is part of a series, with this first one coming out in 2020. It takes place in a world where “the Maiden,” is meant to leave a life of isolation until her “Ascension.” But of course, Poppy (a Maiden) falls for Hawke, one of her guards who is supposed to make sure she makes it to her Ascension. With a kingdom hanging on by a thread, this obviously proves hazardous to everyone involved.  

Fuentes pairs 5 SENS’s perfume, Catch Feelings, with this story.

“This pairing fits because the book is emotional, intense and romantic in a way that feels immediate and consuming,” she shares. 

‘Quicksilver’ by Callie Hart — Courrèges Hyper Musc, $308

Courrèges

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The first in the Fae & Alchemy series, Hart’s Quicksilver follows Saeris Fane, who has alchemical powers she uses to steal from the Undying Queen. When caught, she “accidentally reopens a dormant gateway between realms and is whisked away to a land of ice and snow,” per the book’s description. She finds the Fae there along with a centuries-long conflict. Saeris binds herself (accidentally) to a strong Fae warrior, Kingfisher, and gets caught up with him—personally and within this conflict.

When it comes to which perfume best matches the vibes of this book, Fuentes recommends Hyper Musc from French luxury fashion house Courrèges. 

“This makes sense for a story with tension and magnetism,” she tells Parade. “A musky fragrance feels intimate and close, which works well for that kind of chemistry.”

‘Throne of Glass’ by Sarah J. Maas — NEST Indigo, $32-$98

Sephora

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And lastly, another Maas book on this list is Throne of Glass, a 2012 book that started the series of the same name. The story follows Celaena Sardothien, an assassin summoned to a castle in a land with no magic, to defeat 23 people in a competition that will win her her freedom from prison. But there’s, of course, more to the story, including “something rotten” that is living within the castle. 

Fuentes believes this is a “strong” romantasy book to include on this list, and suggests the fragrance NEST Indigo. 

“It feels moody, rich and slightly mysterious, which suits the emotional depth and fantasy atmosphere,” she shares. 

Related: These Are the 9 Best-Smelling Perfumes for Women, According to a Fragrance Expert

How To Choose a Perfume Based on Your Favorite Reading Tropes

If you love romantasy books, then you definitely are a fan of reading tropes, especially (and maybe specifically) romantic ones. And there are fun ways to find scent profiles for different tropes, as Fuentes shares.

“A fun way to choose a perfume is to think less about the plot and more about the emotional atmosphere of the trope,” she notes. “Is it tense and slow-burn? Soft and comforting? Dark and dangerous? The best fragrance match should feel like the same energy as the relationship dynamic.”

Enemies-to-lovers: Le Monde Gourmand Bisous de Fleur, $30

Amazon

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For maybe the most famous romantic trope—enemies-to-lovers—Fuentes shares a perfume that also changes as you wear it. 

“You want something that transforms on the skin,” she says, sharing a recommendation for a collaboration she previously did with LMG. “A scent like Le Monde Gourmand Bisous de Fleur works well because it starts bright and citrusy, then dries down into something creamy and soft. That kind of evolution feels very enemies-to-lovers to me.”

Grumpy sunshine: House of Bō Acapulco76, $250-$370

House of Bō

The grumpy-sunshine trope sounds exactly as it sounds: it involves one character who is very bright, kind and lovely, and another who is the complete opposite (gruff, mean, depressed, etc.). It doesn’t just have to be a romantic trope, but there’s something about opposites attracting.

“I love this trope, and it reminds me of more natural-smelling perfumes like House of Bō Acapulco,” Fuentes shares. “It feels warm, breezy, easy and bright, but still grounded.”

Forbidden love: KAYALI Lovefest Burning Cherry, $105-$150

Sephora

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Another classic, forbidden love makes up a lot of iconic romance stories. And Fuentes states that KAYALI’s Lovefest Burning Cherry perfume is the perfect embodiment of that.

“Kayali Burning Cherry is perfect for this,” she says. “It’s rich, tempting and a little dangerous in the best way.”

Friends-to-lovers: Amber Hour from Lights Lacquer, $28

Courtesy Lights Lacquer

Friends-to-lovers is another transformative trope, yet this one is sweet and involves revelations about feelings and newfound appreciation for someone you’ve maybe known your whole life. Fuentes recommends something very familiar to her for this trope.

“I’d go for something soft, warm and familiar—a fragrance that feels comforting but still romantic,” she says. “Amber Hour from Lights Lacquer fits that perfectly. It has that cozy amber warmth that feels easy, intimate and lived-in, which is exactly how a great friends-to-lovers story unfolds.”

Related: 11 Vintage Fragrances That Deserve a Comeback

Top Indie & Niche Fragrance Brands Every Book Lover Should Know

When it comes to indie or niche fragrances or perfumes that book lovers should keep their eyes on, Fuentes shares Imaginary Authors. It is a brand that aims to “unlock memories you’ve long forgotten” through “innovative fragrances and creative storytelling.” On their “About” page, they say that they “view” their “fragrances like books,” meaning you shouldn’t just own one, but rather multiple to fit your mood, the season or your story in that moment.

Fuentes calls “this is an especially fun one for book lovers because the whole concept,” which to her “feels literary and story-driven.”

Imaginary Authors The Abandoned Mansion, $7-$115

Imaginary Authors

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Each fragrance comes with a synopsis, on top of fragrance notes, and you can dig into the “memories [it] may conjure” on each perfume’s landing page, too. Plus, they come in packaging that looks like a book, which is a sweet touch.

Which perfumes smell like old paper and books?

And if you’re looking for fragrances that give off that smell of old paper or books—which can be so nostalgic for many—Fuentes shares Commodity’s two perfumes: Book and Paper. Commodity creates perfumes crafted by artisans and has names that give a hint of what’s inside. They also offer scent spaces on their site, where you can choose personal, expressive or bold versions of each perfume to customize how strong you want it to smell. 

Commodity Book, $155

Commodity

Shop it at Commodity Shop Book Personal at Sephora

Fragrance Family: Earthy, Woody
Scent Type: Warm Woods
Key Notes: Black Tea, Sandalwood and Cedarwood

Commodity Paper, $155

Commodity

Shop it at Commodity Shop Paper Personal at Sephora

Fragrance Family: Warm, Spicy
Scent Type: Warm, Sheer
Key Notes: Amber, Iso E Super and Sandalwood

Up Next:

Related: This Is the Most Expensive Perfume in the World (and Its $32 Affordable Dupe), According to a Fragrance Expert

Source:

• Kathleen Fuentes, AKA KathleenLights, is a beauty content creator and the founder of Lights Lacquer. She has over 659k followers on TikTok and nearly 2 million followers on Instagram. She also has a popular fragrance-focused TikTok account called @KathleenSmells, which has over 150k followers on its own.

Looks like some pop culture phenomena really do sparkle forever. Because the fans have spoken, and they are demanding a return to the rain-soaked timber town of Forks, the immortal soulmate saga of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen, and the forever-enduring Team Edward vs. Team Jacob debate.

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According to the media experts at Playfame, the No. 1 movie Americans want to see make a comeback is Twilight. And perhaps the timing isn’t a coincidence. Netflix is already taking another bite out of the vampire saga with a new series, but more on that later.

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By analyzing monthly search volume over 12 months, Playfame found that Twilight averaged 3,370 U.S. searches per month. That’s particularly surprising considering the company Twilight beat out. From nostalgic classics like Back to the Future, Jaws, and Ghostbusters, to newer films like Friday the 13th, Star Trek, and Kill Bill—all of which made the Top 10—Twilight was the definitive winner.

Top 10 Films Americans Want Back

Title

Year of latest release

US Search Volume

Twilight

2012

3370

Friday the 13th

2009

2170

Back to the Future

1990

1650

Star Trek

2016

1500

Jaws

1987

1020

Ghostbusters

1984

900

Kill Bill

2004

750

Matilda

1996

700

Forrest Gump

1994

660

The Mask

1994

630

“There’s something uniquely comforting about returning to a show or film we already know and love,” Playfame said in a press release. “Whether it’s the characters, storyline, or simply the memories attached to it, these familiar favorites can offer a sense of escapism and comfort.”

Released in November 2008, the first film in a five-film series became a pop culture obsession. Adapted from the wildly popular novels by Stephenie Meyer, the movie starred Kristen Stewart as protagonist and human Bella Swan and Robert Pattinson as her love interest and sparkly vampire Edward Cullen.

The movie was a smash, grossing more than $400 million worldwide on a modest $37 million budget. And despite hemming and hawing from critics, it still spawned several sequels, turned its leads into bona fide superstars, and set in motion an impact that continues today.

Just look at 2025’s Netflix charts. When Twilight became available to stream at home, the film debuted in the seventh spot on the domestic charts, per CBR, and entered the global charts in fifth place the following week. The sequels had similar showings.

Lucky for fans, there’s a new entry in the Twilight-verse in the works over at Netflix. According to the streamer, Midnight Sun is an animated retelling of Twilight from Edward’s perspective, with its source material coming straight from Meyer’s 2020 companion novel. Meyer will serve as an executive producer on the series.

“It’s not simply about looking back and hoping that their favorite shows and films pick up where they left off,” Playfame said, “audiences are actively engaging with the possibility of seeing their favorite franchises given a new lease of life.”

Nearly two decades after Bella turned the lip bite into a meme and Edward perfected the clenched jaw in a film that would become a 2000s time capsule, the franchise is proving it still has plenty of life left. And even more hunger from its fanbase.

Related: 1976 Hit, Featured in James Gunn’s Marvel Debut, Became One of Classic Rock’s Greatest Movie Moments

While it’s rare that a song with no vocals takes over music charts, it has happened, and in 1950, it was an unexpected movie theme that captivated listeners everywhere.

In late 1949, the film noir movie The Third Man starring Orson Welles came out in the U.K. and became super popular with audiences. Quickly, the song’s theme, written and performed by Anton Karas, dominated the airwaves, so much so that the song was released as a single alongside the movie’s February 1950 U.S. release.

“The Third Man Theme,” also known as “The Harry Lime Theme,” had no words or vocals, but it was still a hit nonetheless. A lot of the song’s charm came from the use of the unique zither instrument. It quickly sold over half a million copies within weeks of its release, and soon enough, it became a true bestseller.

Starting on the April 29 edition of Billboard‘s Best-Selling Pop Singles chart, “The Third Man Theme” took the top spot, beating hits like Teresa Brewer‘s song “(Put Another Nickel In) Music! Music! Music!” and Gene Autry‘s rendition of “Peter Cottontail.”

The movie instrumental held the top spot on the Best-Selling Pop Singles chart for 11 weeks. Its final week at No. 1 was the July 8 edition of the list, but it was still on the chart for weeks afterward. Along with its best-selling pop single status, the song’s sheet music was also a bestseller.

The theme for The Third Man was technically 15 years in the making. Director Carol Reed explained how the song came to be in an interview with Charles Thomas Samuels for the book Encountering Directors.

He said that Karas was working on the soundtrack when he played a new tune, or at least new to Reed, for him one night. It would go on to become “The Third Man Theme.”

Reed recounted their conversation that night: “‘Why haven’t you played that before?’ I said. ‘I haven’t played it for fifteen years,’ he answered, ‘because when you play in a cafe, nobody stops to listen; music is just background for talk and drinking and shouting.'”

Related: 1979 Rock Song, Written by Neil Young, Among “Greatest Rock Song Lyrics of All Time”

Karas explained that the tune was a challenge to play on the zither, so he usually played easier songs when performing at public venues. Reed added, “It turned out he’d composed the tune himself but had nearly forgotten it.”

Thankfully, the song came back to him, and it made it into the film. Reed admitted that the song was practically impossible for a zither player to perform on their own. He said that Karas “played the tune, then, with an earphone rerecorded it, adding thirds. In the ordinary way, no zither player could do it.”

It was certainly worth all the effort. Karas’ song became a huge hit and a part of one of the most iconic movies in film history.

Related: 1939 Hit Song, Featured in ‘Shawshank Redemption,’ Became One of the Best-Selling Singles of All Time

Music icon Billy Joel is starring in a new documentary, but he had nothing to do with the film. 1971: Billy Joel’s Lost Interview features an AI version of the then-22-year-old ‘Piano Man.’

While what you see on film is a recreation of the singer based on an AI reimagining of what Joel looked like in the early 1970’s, the lost 50-year-old audio is real. The 20-minute clip comes from a radio interview with Ed Mann, Joel, and Joel’s manager Irwin Mazur for C W. Post’s WCWP station’s ‘That’s Interesting’ show following the release of ‘Cold Spring Harbor.’ 

The film will premiere at the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) Music Documentary Film Festival on September 25. Executive Director of the festival, Tom Needham, said of the AI doc, “We are entering a new era in filmmaking, where emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are creating new possibilities for preserving and sharing stories from the past.”

Billy Joel during the recording of his album The Bridge. Recorded at The Power Station recording studio on August 20, 1986 in New York, New York. (Photo By Larry Busacca/Getty Images)

Needham continued, “We recognize that AI in entertainment is a topic that will generate discussion and different viewpoints, but this film demonstrates how technology, when used thoughtfully, can help us reconnect with important moments in music history. 1971: Billy Joel’s Last Interview allows audiences to see a young Billy Joel before worldwide fame changed his life, and we hope people will experience it with curiosity and an open mind.”

Film director and producer Adam Ripp (the son of Joel’s music producer, Artie Ripp) shared, in a press statement, “It is a tremendous honor for 1971: Billy Joel’s Lost Interview to be selected as the opening night film of the LIMEHOF Music Documentary Film Festival.” 

He added, “Featuring the earliest known recorded interview with Billy Joel—predating his earliest known “Piano Man”-era interviews by approximately three years—the film captures him at the very beginning of his extraordinary journey, speaking candidly about his life, his struggles, and the music he was determined to create. I cannot imagine a more meaningful setting for the film’s world premiere than an institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating Long Island’s remarkable musical legacy.”

Mann, who was the interviewer on the tape, is also one of the film’s executive producers. “It’s like 50 years just disappeared. We were all good looking back then,” said Mann. “Adam brought to life something that was not possible. The recreation of the interview now allows an insight of Billy, which perhaps was not often seen in 1971.”

What do Billy Joel’s fans think of the AI documentary?

Joel’s fans aren’t thrilled about this AI interpretation. On the Billy Joel subreddit, one commenter posted, “I would argue that this is actually worse than remixing an album without Billy’s permission. This is just blatant AI,” and another added this blunt critique: “That looks awful.”

While the Grateful Dead‘s frontman was the late Jerry Garcia, the singer and guitarist rarely penned lyrics for the jam band’s songs. Instead, Robert Hunter, who died in 2019 at the age of 78, was largely in charge of coming up with the Grateful Dead’s lyrics.

However, Garcia penned the lyrics to the 1967 tune “Cream Puff War,” off the band’s first record, also called Grateful Dead, as reported by Far Out magazine. According to the publication, in a 1967 interview with KMPX DJ Larry Miller, Garcia discussed writing “Cream Puff War,” which is on the shorter side for a Grateful Dead song, coming in at 2 minutes and 31 seconds.

“The title came after the song. I already developed the idea – this is the only song that I claim totally – this is mine from beginning to end! I actually wrote it,” said Garcia, who died at the age of 53 in 1995. “We were down in LA, I was writing, I had the changes worked out and the bridge and the first verse.”

He then said that his bandmate the late Ron “Pigpen” McKernan suggested the song’s title, before Bob Weir injected that it was actually his idea.

“Or you did, somebody did,” said Garcia to Weir, who died in January 2026 when he was 78. “At any rate, the title doesn’t really mean anything particularly…it was a name that happened to be around, and then later on I happened to work it into the lyric as the last line.” 

Far Out magazine reported that the Grateful Dead, known for their live music, played “Cream Puff War” a mere 11 times in front of an audience. According to the publication, in 1986, Garcia explained why the band refrained from performing “Cream Puff War.”

“That’s one of those tunes that’s so old it’s totally embarrassing. I’d just as soon everybody forgot about it,” said Garcia.

Grateful Dead Fans Have Shared Their Thoughts About ‘Cream Puff War’

While Garcia didn’t seem to overly appreciate “Cream Puff War,” Grateful Dead fans still enjoy the psychedelic rock number. For instance, in a 2022 Reddit post uploaded on the Grateful Dead subreddit, a fan wrote, “Just a reminder…cream puff war is a solid song.”

Several Reddit users agreed in the comments section.

“Always wished they had kept cream puff war in the rotation for a couple more years at least,” wrote a commenter.

“Jamming tune, it rocks. The dead always kept my feet on the ground when my head was flying high. Pink Floyd however made things boil l,” shared another.

“I heard this on the wya to work the other day, first time I consciously heard it. It was a delightful surprise,” added a fan.

In a 2025 Reddit upload, also shared on the Grateful Dead subreddit, a listener asked other fans how they felt about the band’s first record. Quite a few commenters shared they appreciated the album as a whole and pointed to “Cream Puff War” as a favorite.

“I think it’s great, cream puff war is a ton of fun, though viola lee blues is the only one that remotely captures anything close to what they were doing live in 1967,” wrote a Grateful Dead fan.

“Dude it’s killer! Viola Lee Blues, Golden Road, Cream puff War, Cold rain and snow, beat it down the line. All amazing stuff,” added a commenter.

Diane Warren has a new friend.

The Grammy Award-winning songwriter has a new celebrity in her life. Warren adopted a pig that went viral last weekend after a video showed him running through the streets of West Hollywood, Calif.

“A lot of my friends were sending me footage of this poor little pig running through the streets of West Hollywood,” Warren told Variety.

Jamaal Harrison, who posted the video, follows the pig and yells, “There’s a pig in West Hollywood!” Adding, “We gotta catch the pig. … Come back, pig!”

The West L.A. Animal Services Shelter picked up the porker and waited for his owner to come forward. When no one claimed him, the shelter held a silent auction on Thursday, August 19. Marcia Zwilling, the managing director of the Diane Warren Foundation, won the pig with a winning bid.

“I called my friend Marcia Zwilling who runs my Animal Foundation,” Warren wrote in an email. “We agreed that we gotta save this pig!”

She added that “Marcia went this morning to the shelter where they were auctioning the pig, and as Marcia said, ‘Whatever it takes we gotta get this pig and give him a safe, wonderful home.’ So BY ANY MEANS we did! Wilbur is the cutest little thing, and he’s a celebrity now! We are all in love with him. Animals are precious sentient creatures. Welcome Wilbur!!!”

The pig was given the name Wilbur, referring to the children’s book Charlotte’s Web. He is estimated to be about 11 weeks old and could put on quite a few pounds as he gets older.

“This little pig can actually grow to be 50 pounds to 125 pounds,” Animal Services Public Information Officer, Agnes Sibal-von Debschitz told KTLA News, “You have to make sure you have enough space where you’re housing the pig, and then there are zoning and setback requirements.”

We are living through the Information Age, and we’re officially at the point where no children on Earth have ever lived in a world without social media. Soon, there will be no children who have ever existed without generative AI.

Though there are obvious benefits to technological advancements, there are also plenty of drawbacks—and Gen Z is one generation bearing the brunt of those disadvantages. In fact, there are some life skills that experts have observed to be challenging for Gen Z, aka those born between 1997 and 2012.

To learn more, we spoke with two career coaches: Nicole McDaniel, a board-certified coach specializing in career coaching, a licensed professional counselor and the founder of Nicole M. Coaching, and Dr. Bedford Palmer II, PhD, a licensed psychologist, professor, the counseling department chair at Saint Mary’s College of California and the founder of therapy practice Deeper Than Color.

McDaniel and Dr. Palmer each share an ability that they’ve observed Gen Z grads missing, and they both have something in common: they both stem from digital dependence. And if you are a parent or grandparent of Gen Z children struggling with these skills, it’s important not to criticize or condemn them; instead, you should help them.

“It is easy to judge young folks. We like to believe that if we were in their shoes, we would make better decisions,” Dr. Palmer tells Parade. “But in reality at that age we had different challenges. That said, we can be helpful by letting go of the judgment, and replacing it with our actual experiences.”

Keep reading for the skills most Gen Z grads are missing, according to McDaniel and Dr. Palmer.

Related: 3 Psychologists Agree This Is the Most ‘Underrated’ Positive Parenting Habit

Most Gen Z Grads Struggle With Being Present, According to a Career Coach

According to McDaniel, the #1 life skill Gen Z grads struggle with is “the ability to be present and live in the moment.”

“Gen Z is the first generation to grow up in a highly digital society where technology is always at their fingertips,” she explains.

And even though having constant access to information is valuable, it can also be a distraction that steals focus from being able to live in the moment.

One example of this often arises when sharing a meal with someone.

“How often do you or the other party receive a push notification or check for messages or emails?” she shares. “These types of digital distractions are completely normal for the society that Gen Z grew up in, but these digital distractions expose a life skill that is missing: the art of being present.”

Related: Parents Who Raise Confident Kids Tend To Avoid These 8 Phrases, According to a Child Psychologist

Javier Zayaz / Getty Images

How To Encourage Your Gen Z Children To Be More Present 1. Model being present

“Parents and grandparents can use behavioral modeling techniques to non-verbally demonstrate how they hold presence and show attention,” says McDaniel.

“When conversing with your Gen Z child or grandchild, put down your phone, close your book, turn off the TV and connect with them, giving your undivided attention,” she adds. “Having a conversation that is intentional and present is an invaluable gift.”

Related: An Etiquette Expert Is Begging People To Stop This ‘Rude’ Habit in Social Settings

2. Introduce your kids to hobbies that take focus

McDaniel suggests introducing your kids and grandkids to hobbies you enjoy, “specifically those that require concentration and singular focus,” such as cooking, crafting or playing Mahjong.

Hobbies like these “are meditative in nature and naturally guide you to a greater level of presence and being in the here-and-now.” She adds that “the key here is reducing distractions and turning your attention to being in the present moment.”

3. Discuss boundaries

“With such a connected society, there’s often the unspoken expectation that we have to respond to texts, calls and emails immediately, even if the timing is inconvenient,” says McDaniel. However, “most inquiries are not emergent nor do they require an immediate response.”

Keeping this in mind, she recommends discussing boundaries with your kids, such as “how taking a pause prior to responding can be valuable not only in interpersonal relationships but also in the workplace.”

Related: 7 Phrases To Avoid When Emailing Gen Z Coworkers, According to an Etiquette Expert

Another Life Skill Many Gen Z Grads Are Missing Is Distinguishing Credible Information

Olga Pankova / Getty Images

Dr. Palmer has observed many Gen Z students and grads facing challenges with media literacy, or “experiencing difficulties distinguishing between credible information and information that has been shared by unreliable sources.”

“From having a hard time finding appropriate sources for term papers, or labeling themselves based on ‘attachment’ style, to chasing curated lifestyles, media literacy has become a moving target where young people have been taught a lot about how to find sources, but seemingly little about how to determine credibility,” he explains. “Information being available online seems to be creating a wide-reaching halo effect, where visibility is equated with expertise, where ease of availability, especially when the information is confirmatory, overrides red flags around actual accuracy.”

With our society shaped by technology, social media and artificial intelligence, media literacy is becoming both more important and more challenging than ever.

“Young people will need to rise to challenges like learning to use AI as a tool instead of a substitute for their own voice, or being able to tell the difference between an authority and a loud mouthpiece, or being able to shield themselves from pressures to live unrealistically curated lives,” he says.

How To Encourage Better Media Literacy in Gen Z Kids 1. Lead with curiosity

“When your young person presents you with information that you doubt, lead with curiosity,” Dr. Palmer suggests. “Ask where they learned that and who first thought it up. Also ask about the context around the information. Model intellectual challenge without making it insulting.”

2. Practice what you preach

Before judging your child, take a look at the way you learn information and your sources.

“Then model making changes while normalizing the act of recalibration,” advises Dr. Palmer.

3. Pay for access to credible information

Teach your children the importance of getting information from credible sources. If you can afford to, Dr. Palmer recommends paying for your children’s subscriptions to reputable digital newspapers that are paywalled.

Up Next:

Related: We Asked 4 Psychologists What Usually Causes Adult Siblings To Drift Apart—They All Said the Same Thing

Sources:

• Nicole McDaniel is a Board-Certified Coach (BCC), licensed therapist (Licensed Professional Counselor/LPC) and the founder of Nicole M. Coaching.
• Dr. Bedford Palmer II, PhD, is a licensed psychologist, professor, counseling department chair at Saint Mary’s College of California and founder of therapy practice Deeper Than Color.

By 1983, Asia had already established itself as one of rock’s biggest supergroups, following the massive success of its 1982 self-titled debut, but the band continued that momentum, especially after the release of “Don’t Cry,” which quickly became one of their most memorable hits.

Composed of all-star members, including John Wetton from King Crimson and U.K., the supergroup also featured Steve Howe of Yes, Geoff Downes of The Buggles and Yes, and Carl Palmer of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Asia released a number of standout tracks across its first two albums, among which is “Don’t Cry,” written by Downes and Wetton.

Released as the lead single from their second studio album, Alpha, the song marked the band’s transition from progressive rock toward a more arena-pop-rock sound.

Following the massive success of their self-titled debut album, the sophomore album was later described by members of the band as being “terribly finished off” and lacking the polish it could have had.

Asia members Steve Howe, John Wetton, Geoff Downes, Carl Palmer at Le Studio, Quebec, Canada, April 1983.

David Tan/Shinko Music/Getty Images

“Alpha was a record that I’m not saying is actually bad, but it was just terribly finished off. Mixed in completely a–-about-face values,” Howe mentioned in his 2016 book, Time and a Word: The Yes Story, as cited by Ultimate Classic Rock. Meanwhile, Palmer said, “The second album was a complete mistake and was put together, possibly, through greed, the ‘chasing the single’ syndrome. It was just full of pop tunes that just died miserably.”

As for “Don’t Cry,” it was the last song that the band included on the album, according to Songfacts.

“We actually wrote it in a bit of a hurry, because we felt we didn’t have the right track to kick the album off with,” Downes said in an interview, adding, “I had an idea, John [Wetton] had another idea, and we cemented them together.”

Despite the unexpected result, the song reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remained on the chart for 13 weeks.

In addition, “Don’t Cry” also made it to the UK Singles Chart, peaking at No. 33.

More than four decades after its release, the arena rock hit continues to make an impact, cementing its status as a timeless classic.

The song continues to receive praise from listeners in online discussions, with some Reddit users calling it one of the band’s standout tracks.

Related: ’80s Rock Band, Ranked Among Best Supergroups of All Time, Announces Exciting News

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Fall is right around the corner, which means comfy pants are about to start working their way back into the everyday rotation (if they haven’t already). If you’re looking for a new pair to add to the mix, the Gap Logo Fleece Joggers are currently as low as $20 on Amazon, down from $25, making them an easy way to ease into chillier weather without spending much. Prices vary by color and size and currently range from $20 to $53, with six colors to choose from and sizes run from extra small to XXL.

These classic Gap joggers are made from a 77% cotton and 23% polyester fleece blend that’s soft enough for lounging but not so relaxed that you can’t wear them out of the house. They feature a pull-on design with a drawstring at the elasticized waistband, plus elasticized cuffs that taper around the ankles. They also have pockets and are machine washable.

Gap Logo Fleece Joggers, $20 (were $25) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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The fleece design adds some warmth once mornings and evenings start getting cooler, but you can still throw them on with a T-shirt and sneakers on warmer afternoons. The relaxed sweatpant style also works for everything from a lazy Sunday at home to errands, road trips, or coffee runs. And with the lowest-priced colors at just $20, they’re an affordable closet refresh ahead of sweatshirt season.

Shoppers are especially impressed with how cozy they are. One reviewer said, “You could live in these pants,” while another described them as “buttery soft and so cozy.” A third added that they’re “perfect for fall or to lounge in.”

Related: Amazon’s ‘Very Soft’ and ‘Stretchy’ $6 Midi Knit Skirt Is Perfect for Early Fall Days

You could pair these with a white tee, denim jacket, and sneakers while the days are still warm, then swap in a sweatshirt once temperatures dip. Or for an easy weekend look, you could try them with a fitted tank, oversized button-down, and baseball cap for something that looks a little more put-together, even if you just rolled off the couch.

Shop More Deals

• Cozyfit Scrub Pants, $15 (were $24) at Amazon
• Campsnail 4-Pack Joggers Set, From $30 (was $46) at Amazon
• G Gradual Joggers, From $20 (were $32) at Amazon

The Gap Logo Fleece Joggers start at just $20 on Amazon right now, and with fall getting closer, now is a great time to grab a pair before cozy pants become an everyday necessity again. Be sure to check your size in the navy uniform and ruby wine colors first if you want to snag the best price.

Don’t miss future deals! Sign up for Parade Picks to receive our commerce team’s curated selection of discounts and sales twice a week.

Big Brother 28 is airing its Week 6 eviction tonight. Angela Murray, Haley Thogmartin, and Kamu Kirk sit on the block, after a topsy-turvy week that involved this season’s OTEV competition, an attempted bribe, and a game-changing use of the Diamond Power of Veto. But the nominees still have one more shot to avoid eviction and getting to have a candid conversation with Julie Chen Moonves. We’ll update this story throughout the night as the Block Buster and eviction results are revealed.

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Who was eliminated on Big Brother 28 tonight? Kamu Kirk Kamu Kirk on ‘Big Brother 28’

Evan Mulling/CBS

Kamu Kirk became the sixth person evicted from Big Brother 28. Over the past month and a half, the MMA fighter established himself as the lead contender, one of the biggest competition threats and amassing allies all over the place. It all came crashing down, however, when Rick Devens commandeered the week’s plans by using the Diamond Power of Veto. When Kamu lost the Block Buster, the house near-unanimously came together to land a TKO.

Who won the Block Buster on Big Brother 28 tonight? Angela Murray Angela Murray on ‘Big Brother 28’

Evan Mulling/CBS

Angela Murray ruled victorious in the Block Buster this week. She was able to take advantage of the fact that she had seen this particular competition before. Her ball handling skills paid off in spades, giving her the win and removal from the block.

Related: Meet the ‘Big Brother’ Season 28 Cast — Including the Surprising Reality TV All-Stars!

Who’s left in the game on Big Brother 28? Angela Murray Barrett Pfeiffer Dee Valladares Drew Campbell Haley Thogmartin Jason De Puy LaTrice Verrett Mallory Aurichio Melody Morris Rick Devens Taylor Brown Yash Patel

The Week 7 Head of Household competition will determine who takes power next. Check back on Friday after the HoH competition to find out who won, who’s nominated, and who could be headed for the block next.

Related: ‘Big Brother 28’s Chuk Anyanwu Reveals He Was ‘Disgusted’ By Lala’s Gameplay — And Why He Still Stands By It (Exclusive)

Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali are competing on season 35 of Dancing With The Stars!

According to production insiders who spoke to TMZ on Thursday, Aug. 20, the 2 iconic ’90s actresses will be hitting the ballroom floor this season.

Stiles is best known for her starring roles in teen films like 10 Things I Hate About You, Down to You, and Save the Last Dance. She’s kept a low profile in recent years, but still regularly makes film and television appearances.

In a February 2025 interview with People, Stiles called the dance competition show her “Monday Night Football.”

“I’ll go down YouTube rabbit holes of watching old videos, and I have my favorite choreographers,” she said, before explaining she lives across the country with her husband and three kids. “We’ve talked about me doing it, but I live in New York City, so it would be hard. Maybe they could do an East Coast version.”

Ali, for her part, rose to fame while starring as Ashley Banks on the NBC sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air from 1990 to 1996. She later appeared on the soap opera The Young and the Restless for six years before starring in a number of TV movies.

RELATED: ‘DWTS’ Season 35 Will Feature First Same-Sex Partnership in 4 Years

So far, the only season 35 celebrity-pro pairing revealed is Jimmy Kimmel Live! sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez and reigning DWTS champion Witney Carson.

Seven other contestants—Summer House‘s Ciara Miller, Love Island‘s Maura Higgins, Savannah Bananas’ Jackson Olson, The Bachelorette‘s Tyler Cameron, The Rookie‘s Jenna Dewan, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Connor Leavitt, and Love Thy Nader‘s Sarah Jane Nader—have been confirmed for the show, but their partnerships won’t be revealed until later.

As for the rest of the cast, Giada De Laurentiis, Taylor Hanson, Harry Shum Jr., and Ezra Frech are among the names rumored to be competing, but nothing has been officially confirmed by ABC.

Dancing with the Stars airs returns on Tuesday, Sept. 15. on ABC and Disney+ and streams next day on Hulu. The full cast will be revealed on Wednesday, Sept. 2 on Good Morning America.

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Staying hydrated is much easier when you have a water bottle you actually want to carry. A good tumbler should hold enough water to get you through a busy morning, fit in your car cup holder and keep drinks cold long after you fill it up. But the most popular styles often come with a price tag that makes you think twice before buying.

That is why finding a name-brand tumbler at T.J. Maxx always feels like a win. The retailer is known for securing unexpected inventory at lower prices, and its drinkware section has become a great place to find practical, trendy items. When you spot something you use every day at a discount, it is usually worth grabbing before it disappears.

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Stanley 1913 40-Ounce Stainless Steel Pro Tour Flip Straw Quencher Tumbler, $24.99 at T.J. Maxx

T.J. Maxx

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T.J. Maxx is currently offering a 40-ounce Stainless Steel ProTour Flip Straw Quencher Tumbler for $24.99, with a compare-at price of $37. That is a $12 savings, or about 32 percent off. The listing does not identify the brand in its product title, so shoppers should check the product photos and details before purchasing. However, the size and the ProTour Flip Straw Quencher name match Stanley’s popular 40-ounce design. 

The 40-ounce capacity is ideal for long workdays, road trips, gym sessions, school days, or anyone trying to drink more water without making constant refills. Stanley’s ProTour version includes a flip-up straw that snaps shut when you are done drinking, creating a leakproof lid that is especially helpful if you toss your tumbler into a tote bag or keep it beside a laptop. 

Related: Sam’s Club’s Beautiful 3-Piece Set of Antique-Looking Iron Pumpkins Is Giving Core ‘Halloweentown’ Vibes

It is made with 18/8 recycled stainless steel and double-wall vacuum insulation, which helps keep cold drinks chilled for hours. According to Stanley, the ProTour Quencher keeps beverages cold for up to 11 hours and iced for up to two days. 

The tumbler also includes a textured comfort-grip handle, a removable straw spout, a replaceable seal, and a tapered base designed to fit most car cup holders. It is BPA-free and dishwasher-safe, making it practical for everyday use rather than something that requires complicated hand-washing. 

At $24.99, it is significantly less than many name-brand 40-ounce insulated tumblers, especially ones with leakproof flip-straw lids. Just keep in mind that T.J. Maxx inventory can change quickly, and color or availability may vary by store or online. 

If you have been holding off on buying a large insulated tumbler, this is a solid opportunity. The size, leakproof lid, insulation and discounted price make it one of those T.J. Maxx finds that are likely to go fast.

Related: Target’s Super-Handy $30 Find Is the Perfect Storage Solution for Small Spaces

It’s been more than 15 years since Precious scooped up a pair of Academy Awards after making waves at its Sundance premiere.

Starring big names like Mo’Nique (who won Oscar gold) and Lenny Kravitz, the impactful drama film is based on a hit novel dating back to the mid-1990s.

And now, Push — by writer and performer Sapphire — is back in the headlines all these years later after the state of Utah just banned the book from its school districts.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that it got cut across the state on Wednesday, August 19 once the Davis, Granite and Washington County school districts removed it — bringing the total number of books banned from public schools to 37.

Here’s the official synopsis of Push, per the author’s website: “Precious Jones, an illiterate sixteen-year-old, has up until now been invisible to the father who rapes her and the mother who batters her and to the authorities who dismiss her as just one more of Harlem’s casualties. But when Precious, pregnant with a second child by her father, meets a determined and radical teacher, we follow her on a journey of education and enlightenment as she learns not only how to write about her life, but how to make it truly her own for the first time.”

Addressing the Ban and Its Implications

Sapphire, 76, responded to the ban on her website, titling her open letter “Culture Wars.”

“When we ban books like PUSH, The Color Purple, Beloved, and The Autobiography of Malcolm X we stand not just to close our collective minds, but to lose them,” reads her message in part.

The letter continues, “PUSH is about the power of language to transform and open the mind and the heart. PUSH heals. PUSH teaches. But most of all PUSH loves. ​ When we ban books like PUSH, we are in danger of falling into the sinkholes of hate and prejudice and ignorance and of losing what little love we have left for each other.”

You know a song has real pop culture significance when it’s still being featured in major movies decades later. Take “Go All the Way,” for example. The upbeat rocker was a big hit for the Raspberries back in 1972, when it went to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100. Then, years later, it made two comebacks via the silver screen: First, in 2000, it was featured in Cameron Crowe‘s iconic Almost Famous; next, the song appeared in James Gunn‘s 2014 blockbuster Guardians of the Galaxy…and it fit both perfectly.

Interestingly enough, it was a small screen performance that inspired the song. As Eric Carmen told HuffPost in 2014, “Go All the Way” might never have happened if he hadn’t seen the Rolling Stones perform “Let’s Spend the Night Together” on The Ed Sullivan Show.

“That was the inspiration for ‘Go All The Way,'” Carmen explained. “That’s really where it started. Actually, the very first concert that I ever went to was the Rolling Stones. They were my favorite from the very beginning. But I will never forget watching Mick [Jagger] wearing this psychedelic flower shirt rolling his eyes every time he went, ‘Let’s spend some time together.’ The Stones were so threatening, really, to America, to youth, and Ed [Sullivan] was a pretty conservative guy so he was not going to let them sing, ‘Let’s spend the night together,’ that’s just too suggestive, too racy for American television back then.”

“At the same time that this was going on I was listening to Pet Sounds thinking, ‘You know, Brian Wilson‘s getting away with murder, here, compared to The Rolling Stones,” Carmen continued.

“Just the lyrics of ‘Wouldn’t It Be Nice?’ ‘We could say goodnight and stay together,'” he went on to point out. “Between the lines the Beach Boys were getting much more suggestive stuff on the radio, but no one batted an eye because they sounded like choir boys and they looked pretty harmless. When I sat down to write I remember thinking to myself, ‘I’ve got to write a song that’s suggestive, but I’ve got to present it in a way that we don’t end up like the Stones.'”

Finally, Carmen had the idea to flip the song from a male to female perspective.

“I saw the title ‘Go All The Way’ and I thought about how I would write it and I thought, ‘What does the girl say to the guy instead of the other way around? That’s much less threatening. That’s got a really nice twist on the story,'” he explained.

“So that was kind of how we did it. One of two things would happen, just based on the title: It was either going to be banned, in which case that would create some controversy and we would sell some albums, or it would be a big smash hit, just based on the title. It turns out it was banned in England, they wouldn’t play it at all, and in America it went top five.”

Tom Hill / Getty Images

“Go All the Way” ended up being the biggest hit the Raspberries would have, though it was quite an accomplishment; Spin magazine even included the song on its list of the “100 Greatest Singles of All Time” in 1989. Carmen went on to even greater success with solo hits including “All by Myself,” which peaked at #2 in 1976, and “Make Me Lose Control,” which went to #3 in 1988.

“The band split up and I had already started writing at least the beginning of ‘All By Myself’ while the Raspberries were still going,” Carmen recalled. “I started working on all these other new songs and somewhere in the back of my mind was the thought that I was not going to be writing for this band, my mind was opened up to the idea that I was writing not for these four guys but for whatever musicians I wanted. I could write much bigger harmony parts, I could write more sophisticated chord things that might not be appropriate for the Raspberries.”

Of course, Carmen’s solo hits ended up being in movies, too…but that’s another story for another day.

Related: 1966 Rolling Stones Hit, Written by a 22-Year-Old About Desperate Housewives, Is Still a Pop Culture Staple 60 Years Later

Gillian Hills was already a rising actress and singer. But her 1961 recording of the playful yé-yé pop song “Zou Bisou Bisou” would become her signature song and, decades later, introduce her to a whole new generation.

Born in Cairo and raised in France, the British singer and actress was discovered at age 14 by filmmaker Roger Vadim, who thought she could be the next Brigitte Bardot. After landing roles in movies like Vadim’s Les Liaisons dangereuses (1959) and Edmond T. Gréville’s Beat Girl (1960), she crossed over into music.

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In the summer of 1960, Hills began recording for Barclay Records, releasing a string of songs that included “Cha Cha Stop” and “Près de la cascade.” A year later came the recording that would become her signature and really cement her as a ye-ye pop icon: “Zou Bisou Bisou.”

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hills’ “Zou Bisou Bisou” was released in June 1961 right around the singer’s 17th birthday. A flirty French pop tune, it has a rich backstory. Produced by Barclay, the song was written by composers Bill Shepherd and Alan Tew, two men who went on to work with the Bee Gees and Cat Stevens, respectively, with French lyrics penned by Michel Rivgauche.

An English version of the song, titled “Zoo Be Zoo Be Zoo,” was recorded by Sophia Loren for the 1960 film The Millionairess. But it’s Hills’ French-language original that would become the version most closely associated with the song.

With a title that translates roughly to “Oh! Kiss Kiss,” “Zou Bisou Bisou” is an upbeat Euro pop jam. It tells the story of young lovers hiding in the grass, stealing kisses from one another, and confessing their love. It’s actually the perfect breezy tune to play during these last weeks of summer, as Hills softly sings, “The noise of kisses! / In the bushes, under the August sky,” against a cha-cha groove driven by Jean Bouchety’s orchestra.

The song became a recognizable track and helped establish Hills as a popular presence on France’s emerging ye-ye scene, with her subsequent pop hits, “Tut, tut, tut, tut (Busy Signal),” and films like Blowup and A Clockwork Orange extending her cultural footprint well beyond the French pop scene.  

But broader international appeal still eluded “Zou Bisou Bisou.” That is, until March 2012, when a certain critically acclaimed period drama created by Matthew Weiner resurrected the song and sent it to the top of a Billboard chart.

In the series’ season five opener, appropriately titled “A Little Kiss,” Jon Hamm’s Don Draper, an ad agency executive and one of the Golden Age of Television’s greatest anti-heroes, watches as his new, young wife, Jessica Paré’s Megan Draper, performs a sultry rendition of Hills’ original.

Purring through the song in front of Don’s friends and co-workers at his surprise 40th birthday, Megan quickly became one of the most talked-about elements in the entire series.

“The 1961 original never charted, but as evidenced by this Mad Men episode, set in 1966, the very sexy single still caught on and spread around the world,” Mic wrote.

Paré’s performance became a sensation, and her recording of the song debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s World Digital Songs chart. Meanwhile, Hills’ original played over the episode’s closing credits, sending viewers back to the 1961 recording. Hills was keenly aware of this feat and excited about it.

“I went viral after Jessica Paré sang my old French hit ‘Zou Bisou Bisou’ at Don Draper’s birthday party,” Hills told the British Film Institute in a Sight and Sound interview. “The same key, the same rhythm, and she sang it so prettily.”

Today, Hills, 82, works as a book and magazine illustrator, splitting her time between New York and Britain. She stays in touch with fans through social media, posting the occasional jaunt down memory lane and clip of her signature hit.

The whole story makes for the perfect tale of a pop song that got a second life. Call it fate, sealed with a little kiss-kiss.

Related: 1968 Pop-Rock Hit, Covered 58 Years Later by Madonna, Launched a 19-Year-Old’s Career

Andy Gibb burst onto the music scene in 1977 with his debut album, Flowing Rivers. The youngest of the famed musical Gibb family, Andy Gibb had some of music’s heavy hitters supporting him as sessions took place at Criteria Studios in Miami. Not only did he have big brother Barry Gibb writing and producing, but Flowing Rivers was recorded while the Eagles were recording Hotel California in an adjoining studio. The proximity to the Eagles would change the trajectory of one of the album’s most successful tracks, “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water.”

With Barry Gibb co-writing and producing “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water,” Andy Gibb already had the makings of a successful musical collaboration. Then producer Albhy Galuten invited Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh to stop by and check out the young singer’s work. The Eagles by then were nothing short of living legends, and Andy Gibb was a promising young singer preparing for his first major American album release. Instead of just stopping by, Walsh picked up the guitar, the producers pressed “record,” and the rest is a small part of music history.

How “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water” Came Together @vintagevibes566

#andygibb #loveisthickerthanwater #fyp #music70 #music80s90s #lyrics #tiktokmusic #lyricsmusic #ilovemusic70

♬ sonido original – Vintagevibes

The song had actually come together when Andy and Barry were working together in Bermuda. Barry’s strategy was to come up with song titles, then build songs around them. Andy suggested “Thicker Than Water,” Barry liked it and started writing the song.

Though both brothers received writing credit on the song, Andy later admitted that Barry did most of the song’s writing. Though Andy Gibb mainly contributed the title, it became the foundation for the song, which would become one of Andy Gibb’s most successful songs of all time.

The song was recorded in 1976 at Criteria Studios. Barry, Galuten and Karl Richardson were overseeing production. Barry also provided backing vocals, but it was Walsh’s appearance on the song that is the makings of iconic music lore.

Despite his star status, Joe Walsh was never credited on the song, making his contribution an especially fun Easter egg for listeners who have heard the song countless times without realizing the Eagles legend was part of it.

Related: 1973 Song Inspired by a Notorious Texas Brothel Became ZZ Top’s First Big Hit

Joe Walsh’s Uncredited Contribution

Joe Walsh remained uncredited on the song, but “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water” became Andy Gibb’s second No. 1 hit. Released in September 1977, the song became the second consecutive No. 1 single of Andy Gibb’s career.

The song reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, staying there for two weeks. The song was certified gold and spent 29 weeks on the music charts.

The timing of the rise of “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water” is particularly remarkable. The song reached No. 1 on March 4, 1978, displacing the Bee Gees’ “Stayin’ Alive” from the top spot. Two weeks later, the Bee Gees returned to No. 1 with “Night Fever.” For a brief time in 1978, the Australian Gibb family basically dominated the top of the American pop music charts.

The song’s success, which dethroned his own brothers’ No. 1 standing, helped cement Andy Gibb’s status as a pop star separate and apart from the success of the Bee Gees.

A Musical Easter Egg Fans Still Discover @_sondra_rock_

Do you know who played the guitar solo on this song? #andygibb #70smusic #1977 #foryou #thickerthanwater #gibb

♬ (Love Is) Thicker Than Water – Andy Gibb

Despite the massive star power backing Andy Gibb’s debut, the marketing was all about the singer himself. Joe Walsh’s contribution to “(Love Is) Thicker Than Water” was never used as a marketing hook, instead remaining a piece of music trivia fans can enjoy discovering with time.

For music lovers listening to Gibb’s hit again, knowing that the Eagles’ Joe Walsh was quietly playing guitar without fanfare or credit, just a music legend supporting a promising up-and-comer, makes an already familiar hit feel like a time capsule of 1970s rock and pop.

Related: 1971 Song Written by 17-Year-Old Kenny Loggins for His Brother Became an Anne Murray Hit

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Dancing With the Stars will have its first same-sex dance partnership in four years!

According to TMZ, the season 35 pairing will include Sarah Jane Nader and an unnamed female pro dancer. Sarah Jane was pictured leaving the DWTS studio by the outlet on Thursday, Aug. 20, while wearing an opaque facial covering in hopes of concealing her identity.

Earlier on Thursday, Us Weekly revealed that Sarah Jane—sister of Sports Illustrated model Brooks Nader—would be joining the upcoming season. Brooks placed ninth on season 33 of DWTS in 2024 with her ex-boyfriend, Gleb Savchenko.

Sarah Jane is a model and content creator who stars on Freeform’s Love Thy Nader alongside Brooks and their two other sisters, Mary Holland and Grace Ann. The series follows the four sisters, originally from Louisiana, as they pursue careers in fashion and modeling in New York City.

On the show, Sarah Jane opens up about her LGBTQ+ identity after growing up in a Southern, religious environment and shares her experiences dating.

Her upcoming partnership will mark the third same-sex pairing in the show’s history and the first in four years.

JoJo Siwa and Jenna Johnson became the first same-sex pairing when they competed together on season 30, while Shangela and Savchenko competed as partners on season 31. Shangela, also known as D.J. Pierce, is a drag queen who uses she/her pronouns in drag and he/him pronouns out of drag.

RELATED: ‘DWTS’ Casts 2 Relatives of Past Contestants for Season 35

So far, the only season 35 celebrity-pro pairing revealed is Jimmy Kimmel Live! sidekick Guillermo Rodriguez and reigning DWTS champion Witney Carson.

Eight other contestants—Summer House‘s Ciara Miller, Love Island‘s Maura Higgins, Savannah Bananas’ Jackson Olson, The Bachelorette‘s Tyler Cameron, The Rookie‘s Jenna Dewan, The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives’ Connor Leavitt, and ’90s actresses Julia Stiles and Tatyana Ali—have been confirmed for the show, but their partnerships won’t be revealed until later.

As for the rest of the cast, Giada De Laurentiis, Taylor Hanson, Harry Shum Jr., and Ezra Frech are among the names rumored to be competing, but nothing has been officially confirmed by ABC.

Dancing with the Stars airs returns on Tuesday, Sept. 15. on ABC and Disney+ and streams next day on Hulu. The full cast will be revealed on Wednesday, Sept. 2 on Good Morning America.

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There’s a specific kind of beauty advice that sounds counterintuitive right up until the moment you try it, and then you can never un-see it. Highlighter for mature skin falls squarely into that category.

Of course, we all want to look luminous, glowy, lit from within, a goddess that just so happens to be visiting Earth; you know, all of the things that highlighter promises on the packaging.

So you dust it on and then peer into a mirror under decent lighting and realize that instead of looking radiant, you look like your pores and fine lines have been carefully outlined with a tiny sparkle pen.

The problem isn’t highlighter itself. It’s where you’re putting it and what formula you’re reaching for. Shimmer has a way of illuminating everything it lands on, including the things you’d rather it skip—and on mature skin, makeup mistakes over 50 tend to cluster around exactly this issue.

Products that work beautifully on a 25-year-old can do something entirely different on skin with more texture, more movement and a different relationship with light than it had a decade (or three!) ago.

The good news is that the fix is simple once you understand the logic. We talked to celebrity makeup artist Maria Ortega—whose clients include Helena Christensen, Mitski and Jane Lynch—about the exact spot to avoid, where to put highlighter instead and which formulas actually deliver that youthful glow on mature skin without the unintended side effects.

Related: 16 Best Foundations for Dry Skin, According to Celebrity Dermatologists

Where Is the One Place You Should Never Put Highlighter on Mature Skin?

Crow’s feet. Full stop. Ortega avoids placing highlighter anywhere near deep wrinkles or crow’s feet specifically because the product enhances whatever it lands on—and that includes depth and texture you’d rather not draw attention to. She also skips larger pore areas and the tip of the nose for the same reason.

The logic tracks once you understand how light works on skin.

Shimmer reflects light outward, which sounds like exactly what you want for a glow—until you consider that fine lines and pores also catch and reflect light differently than smooth skin does.

Highlighter in those areas doesn’t create the illusion of smoothness; it sadly creates the opposite.

Why does shimmer and highlighter sometimes backfire on fine lines and wrinkles?

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This question is a big deal because the formula type is what makes or breaks it. “Shimmer highlighters, especially in powder formulas, can enhance large pores, exaggerate depth of wrinkles and textured skin because it reflects light,” Ortega tells Parade.

The particles in powder highlighters tend to be larger and more reflective, which is beautiful on a smooth surface and less so on one with texture and movement.

The best cream highlighter for wrinkles works on a different principle entirely. Cream and liquid formulas melt into the skin rather than sitting on top of it, which means they reflect light in a more diffuse, skin-like way rather than bouncing it off the surface.

The result reads as radiance rather than shimmer—which is the whole goal when it comes to youthful glow makeup tips that actually hold up in person, not just under ring lights.

Related: 15 Best Night Creams for Women Over 50, According to Celebrity Makeup Artists

Where To Apply Highlighter for an Instant, Youthful Glow

Do you have a pen ready? Because class is in session! “Applying highlighter to the high points of the cheeks, bridge of the nose and the collarbone provides a glow from within, while also looking natural,” says Ortega.

She also loves applying it on the back of the hands and fingers for a luminous effect that extends the glow beyond the face.

The through line across all of those placements is that they’re areas with minimal fine lines and texture—smooth skin that can actually do what highlighter is supposed to do, which is catch light beautifully rather than catching everything.

The Best Highlighter Formulas for Mature Skin

Cream, liquid and balm formulas are the clear answer, and Ortega is specific about why: They “provide a healthy glow, radiance and suppleness to the skin” in a way that powder formulas simply don’t on mature skin.

Her personal favorite is the Chanel Baume Essentiel, which she applies strategically using the Rephr Brush 36—a detail worth noting because application tool matters as much as formula when it comes to getting the placement exactly right.

The broader principle for anyone shopping for highlighter for mature skin is to prioritize formulas with a natural sheen over formulas with visible sparkle or glitter particles. Satin and pearl finishes tend to read as skin rather than as product, which is the distinction between looking radiant and looking like you’ve applied highlighter.

Related: The 20 Best Primers for Mature Skin, According to Professional Makeup Artists

Other Common Highlighter and Makeup Mistakes To Avoid Over 50

Powder highlighter is the recurring culprit. “Using powder and extra glittery powder highlighter can enhance fine lines and wrinkles. These also tend to make pores look more enlarged,” Ortega says, adding that it’s easy to overdo powder highlighter in a way that compounds all of those issues simultaneously.

Even the right formula in the wrong placement produces the wrong result, which is why understanding where specifically to apply—and more importantly, where to skip—matters as much as what you’re buying.

The crow’s feet area, the tip of the nose and any zone with visible texture or enlarged pores should stay highlighter-free regardless of formula. Keep it to the smooth high points, choose cream over powder and the youthful glow effect actually delivers what the packaging promised.

Up Next:

Related: Celebrity Makeup Artist Reveals a Clever Concealer Trick for Mature Skin I Wish I’d Known About Sooner

Source:

• Maria Ortega, celebrity makeup artist