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With the Fourth of July just around the corner, Queen Latifah is gearing up to host America250 — a block party at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Featuring performances from Latifah, Chris Stapleton and The Smashing Pumpkins, thousands will gather to celebrate the nation and donate to charitable organizations.

In an exclusive interview with Parade, Latifah spoke with us from the Coliseum to share a sneak peek at what fans can expect from this Fourth of July party.

“I think [America250 will be] a good time to be a good person, do good things, look out for each other [and] be good neighbors to each other on a huge holiday that we all celebrate,” she said. “This is actually a place to not just party, but party for a good cause. Party for a good reason with people you want to dance with and hang with, and help out other people at the same time.”

In addition to hosting the party and concert, Latifah will also be performing. While she’s still figuring out what genre she wants to do, she said she can guarantee that “there will be hip-hop.”

With America250 on the horizon, Latifah is also preparing to release new music for the first time in nearly 17 years.

“It’s time to put this [music] out right now,” Latifah said. “It’s time to drop this. I think I’m going to have to stop procrastinating and put out some new music as soon as possible.”

As Latifah prepares to step into this next chapter, she recently announced that she’ll be making her debut on The Voice as a coach this September. She said she decided to join the show after she “prayed real good about it.”

“It’s really not about Queen Latifah,” she said. “It’s about that artist, that 90 seconds [on The Voice], and hopefully being able to do something that makes me turn the chair.”

Latifah said she’ll be there to pass on what she’s learned to new artists, and hopes she can connect with whoever ends up on her team.

“I think artists need to make art,” Latifah said. “Make what you want to make. Make what makes you feel good in your spirit. Don’t worry about what everybody else is doing. … Everyone needs to tell their stories.”

Tickets for America250, hosted by Latifah, are available now for $17.76. Find out more at America250.org.

For a decade, "How Far I'll Go" has been one of Disney's most enduring songs. It plays at recitals, gets hummed by fans, and usually comes up in any Moana conversation. When the live-action remake was announced, one of the first questions fans had was simple. Would Lin-Manuel Miranda be back for more? The answer was yes, with a twist.

Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this week to promote the live-action Moana, hitting theaters July 10, Miranda explained that returning to the franchise was not originally the plan. "They pulled me out of retirement to write one more song for Moana and Maui," he told Fallon. The new song, "Along the Way," is performed by Catherine Laga'aia, who plays Moana in the film, alongside Dwayne Johnson as Maui and Auli'i Cravalho, the original voice of Moana from the 2016 animated film and its 2024 sequel.

The song exists because of an unusual creative circumstance. Cravalho, who handed off the role to Laga'aia, is also an executive producer on the live-action film. That dual role gave Miranda an opening he could not pass up. "What's really wonderful is Auli'i is a producer on this film," he said. "So we thought, what if there's a musical conversation between Auli'i's Moana and Katie's Moana? That became the idea for the song." The result puts both actresses on the same track, with Johnson joining as Maui in what Miranda described as a piece that fully earns its place in the story. "Auliʻi and Catherine's voices blend so beautifully," he said in a press statement, "and writing for Dwayne as Maui is just pure fun."

Related: The 2-Second Spider-Man Shot That Convinced Everyone Sadie Sink Is Jean Grey

The film reunites Miranda with director Thomas Kail, who staged Hamilton on Broadway and directed the 2020 filmed stage recording before making his feature directorial debut here. Miranda offered Fallon an affectionate note about Johnson's comfort with the material: "I was there for the filming of 'You're Welcome,' and he's rapping it really well. And I was like, 'Dwayne, you're really good at this.' And he was like, 'Lin... I've been rapping this into every kid's phone for the past 10 years.'" The Moana soundtrack, which includes the original songs alongside "Along the Way," drops June 26.

The Fallon appearance also touched on Miranda's other current project, the Octetfilm adaptation, which he just finished directing. He described the cast (Amanda Seyfried, Rachel Zegler, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Philippa Soo, Jonathan Groff, Gaten Matarazzo, and Tramell Tillman) as "the Avengers for theater kids," adding that his confidence in Seyfried came from a performance. "She sang Joni Mitchell on this show," Miranda said. "A really hard Joni Mitchell song, on the dulcimer. And I was like, 'Oh, she knows ball.'"

Moana opens in theaters July 10. The soundtrack is available June 26.

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Nearly 50 years after its release, this 1975 love song remains a staple of romanticmusic collections. Its beautiful melody made it a hit, but a remarkable vocal performance is what truly made it unforgettable.

"Lovin' You" by Minnie Riperton is a cornerstone of the '70s thanks to its easygoing, romantic sound and one of the most remarkable vocal performances ever captured on a pop record.

Decades after it topped the charts, the song continues to captivate listeners with a note that few singers have ever matched. It's called a "whistle note" and is the highest in the vocal register.

Riperton was trained as an operatic singer, according to Medium. Her music career took a turn in the early '70s after she essentially retired from the music business to focus on her family with husband Richard Rudolph and their two children, son Marc and daughter Maya.

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Riperton was encouraged to return to music by a representative from Epic Records, and in the summer of 1974, released Perfect Angel, the album that featured “Lovin’ You.” The song quickly stood out for Riperton’s extraordinary vocal range, making the song one of the standout tracks of her career.

Riperton's voice was unlike anything else on the radio at the time. By blending soul, R&B, jazz, and pop into one smooth, unmistakable sound, Riperton carved out a deeply personal and timeless style.

Her daughter Maya Rudolph, who would become a comedy star on Saturday Night Live and in films such as Bridesmaids and Grown-Ups, shared her thoughts about her mother's legacy in a YouTube video.

"It was the debut of this special quality that my mother had. People were blown away," she began.

"It was her big introduction to a lot of people. It sounds like my childhood," Rudolph continued.

"The song sounds like a perfect example of that time and everything coming together in the right way. Over my life, I have heard from people who want to tell me how great she was and how the song affected their lives. How special her voice was."

Rudolph concluded that her mother "stands out as one of a kind, a gem of a human being. As a recording artist, performer, and woman."

Minnie Riperton died at the age of 31 of breast cancer in 1979.

Related: 1975 Perfect Honky Tonk Classic Was Just Named One of the Greatest Country Songs of the Decade

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If you're looking to add a dash of charm to your yard this summer, Walmart's Koralakiri Insect-Proof Hummingbird Feeder might just be the sweetest little find of the season. 

Priced at only $11 for the retailer’s Summer Deals event, this feeder is winning over bird lovers for being both feather-light and surprisingly sturdy. Plus, it's as cute as can be!

Koralakiri Hummingbird Feeder, From $11 (was $18) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Crafted from premium plastic, the Koralakiri feeder skips any funny smells and keeps things safe for your tiny garden visitors. Its clever design features a two-millimeter feeding opening, making it ant- and bee-proof while ensuring hummingbirds have exclusive access to their nectar treat. With six flower-shaped feeding ports in cheery red and yellow, the feeder both attracts hummingbirds and brightens up your outdoor space in one fell swoop.

One of the best parts? There's room for more than one visitor at a time! The 250-milliliter capacity means fewer refills for you, and the six feeding ports mean more happy hummingbirds in your garden. The bottle mouth, styled like a blooming flower, is not only adorable but also practical. It is designed to invite hummingbirds and keep pesky bugs away from the nectar.

Shoppers are loving how easy it is to use. One reviewer gushed, "What I like about these hummingbird feeders is that they were super easy to set up. It comes with easy-to-follow instructions, which is nice." The lightweight build makes hanging it up a breeze, and the bottom cap not only prevents leaks, but makes cleaning and refilling as simple as can be.

Beyond its function, the Koralakiri feeder makes a whimsical gift for anyone who loves nature or wants to add a touch of color to their patio, backyard, or porch. It's sturdy enough to withstand summer breezes but light enough to move wherever you want to catch a glimpse of hummingbirds flitting about.

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This $11 hummingbird feeder is the perfect way to welcome a flutter of feathered friends to your home. With over 150 five-star reviews, this little feeder is proof that big garden happiness comes in small, affordable packages. Grab one while it's on sale and upgrade your backyard experience before it sells out!  

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Detroit has lived several lifetimes as an American icon, and that deep history has bred an unshakable sense of identity. Today, the world is once again training its spotlight on Motor City, driven by a culinary revolution that has officially caught the attention of the global stage. With the monumental announcement that Detroit is joining the prestigious MICHELIN Guide American Great Lakes edition, anonymous inspectors are officially on the ground ahead of the highly anticipated 2027 star revelations.

"2026 is shaping up to be another milestone year for Detroit, and our food scene is leading the charge," says Claude Molinari, President & CEO of Visit Detroit. "MICHELIN inspectors are currently exploring and assessing restaurants across the tri-county region, with the excitement building for the 2027 star announcements."

Yet, the magic of this destination isn't coming from national corporate boardrooms. The city's neighborhoods are shaped entirely by the creativity and hustle of the people who live there. What you find today are hundreds of fiercely independent businesses with real personality behind them. "There’s something different about eating at a place where the chef is in the kitchen cooking food they’ve dreamed about serving for years," explains Jeanette Pierce, founder of the City Institute.

Whether you're drawn by the buzz of the incoming Michelin stars, the world-class architecture or the fiercely local independent spirit, there has never been a better time to cross this iconic city off your bucket list. From masterfully restored boutique stays to neighborhood culinary institutions, here's exactly why Detroit deserves the top spot on your next long-weekend travel agenda.

Related: Michelin Names Its Best Places to Travel for Food Lovers

The 2026 Cultural Wave and Immersive Spaces

Detroit Tourism

The momentum building across the city this year extends far beyond the dining room, with infrastructure milestones and museum modernizations opening back-to-back.

The new Gordie Howe International Bridge, the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America, is nearing its highly anticipated official opening, connecting Detroit to Windsor, Ontario. It features a dedicated pedestrian and bicycle path that lets visitors experience the riverfront from an entirely new perspective. On the arts front, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) recently reopened following a major update, which Pierce notes "feels like a fresh new chapter for the museum." Visitors can take in a special exhibit on Detroit artist Olayami Dabls, founder of the MBAD African Bead Museum.

"The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation is launching America: 250 Years in the Making, a yearlong celebration with two major debuts: Handmade: The Crafting of America and Fabric of America, which explore American identity through craftsmanship, design and technology," notes Molinari. In the coming months, the arrival of Cosm Detroit near Campus Martius Park will bring a 180-degree immersive dome offering public experiences in sports, entertainment, art and education. If you happen to time your visit to September, you'll hit the Detroit Month of Design. "Detroit is the only UNESCO City of Design in the U.S., and you really feel that energy across the city during that month," Pierce adds.

Related: This Midwest City in Michigan Was Dubbed ‘Most Underrated’

Where to Stay: Historic Preservation Meets Apartment Style The Shinola Hotel’s stylish guest suites provide the perfect backdrop for a private "Curated by Coup" shopping experience.

Shinola Hotel

Finding a home base in Detroit means choosing between masterfully preserved historic landmarks and innovative, sustainability-focused boutiques.

"Detroit has so many great hotel options," Molinari says. "The Hotel David Whitney sits in the heart of the city near Grand Circus Park and is a big part of Detroit’s story. If you’re drawn to craftsmanship, the Shinola Hotel stands out for its attention to detail, while The Siren Hotel, inside the former Wurlitzer Building, is truly one-of-a-kind. For a quieter stay, The Inn on Ferry Street is in a beautifully restored Victorian mansion."

If you prefer an apartment-style setup or midtown proximity, two properties stand out for their architecture. Molinari recommends Roost Detroit, located inside the beautifully renovated Book Tower, offering top-tier amenities in a setting that honors the city’s past and future. "The Roost is always high on my list," Pierce agrees. "The rooms feel more like beautifully designed apartments than hotel rooms, and the $400 million renovation of the Book Tower is stunning. It’s one of the best examples of Detroit preserving its history while still feeling modern and fresh."

For something completely unique, Pierce points to the El Moore Lodge in Midtown. "Dating back to the 1890s, it was transformed after being abandoned into this gorgeous, sustainability-focused lodge and apartment space with geothermal heating, solar panels, gardens, and really thoughtful design throughout. It has a lovely garden space and cafe, which makes it feel personal in a way most hotels don’t."

Related: Inside the Detroit Michelin-Key Hotel That Brings the City's Best Boutique to Your Door

The Neighborhood Dining Conversation

Baobob Fare

Detroit’s dining scene is as diverse and dynamic as the city itself, thanks to chefs who bring their own stories and flavors to the table. Neighborhood corridors like the E. Warren Corridor are gaining national attention, anchored by fresh concepts like Little Liberia. "The owner turned her family history and passion for community into a first-of-its-kind restaurant in Detroit," Pierce says.

"Baobab Fare in New Center serves up vibrant East African dishes that have quickly become local favorites," Molinari shares. Pierce echoes the praise, calling it her favorite restaurant in Detroit, period. "The food is approachable even if you’ve never had it before, and the owners’ story of coming to Detroit as refugees from Burundi and building this community-centered business to provide opportunities for so many others makes the place even more special."

For modern Moroccan soul, Molinari points to Saffron de Twah on the East Side, while Marrow’s blend of butchery and ambiance keeps it at the center of Detroit’s food conversation. If you are exploring Southwest Detroit, Pierce recommends El Asador, highlighting a specific dish from a chef who spent years working in high-end kitchens before opening his own place. "El Asador has my favorite steak in the city: Triple chili butter filet mignon. Everything is so good that even the simple side dishes of rice and beans are the best I've had. Bonus: it’s BYOB without a corking fee." For a classic stop, check out Golden Fleece—the oldest restaurant in Greektown. Pierce notes it features second-generation owners on-site daily, alongside a newly added modern Greek bar and coffee shop next door that boasts a fantastic espresso martini.

Morning Bites and Saturday Browsing

Detroit Tourism

The local cafe and bakery scene serves as a major anchor for Detroit's neighborhoods. For a memorable morning bite, Molinari points to Sister Pie in the West Village and Warda Pâtisserie in Midtown, calling both "genuinely world-class." Pierce suggests dropping into Good Cakes and Bakes for a banana pudding cupcake, Morningside Cafe for coffee and community, Alba for an incredible breakfast sandwich, or Sepia Coffee, because the team is "super intentional about where they get their beans and they roast them themselves."

One of the most exciting transformations in the city is the newly revived Michigan Central Station, which is now home to a new location for Yellow Light Coffee and Donuts. "Grab a donut, look around, and just take it all in," Molinari suggests. "That building's transformation is one of the most exciting things happening in Detroit today."

For an afternoon of browsing, Eastern Market is an absolute hub of energy. "It's full of life on Saturday mornings, drawing thousands for local produce, handmade goods, and some of the best murals in the city," Molinari notes. The district features standout stops like Anthology Coffee and La Ventana Café, and is a stone's throw from Evelyn’s Midtown Kitchen, which hosts highly social cooking classes.

While wandering the neighborhood corridors, Pierce tells visitors to stop by Source Booksellers. "It’s one of the best independent bookstores anywhere, and the selection is incredibly thoughtful." Both experts recommend checking out the Shinola store on Woodward, City Bird and Pure Detroit, while Pierce adds Flo Boutique, Next Chapter, Three Thirteen and Viva La Vida Imports to the shopping trail. "They all feel very Detroit in different ways, which means creative, independent, personal and full of character."

Urban Green Spaces and Waterfront Views A breathtaking sunset view over Belle Isle, Detroit's iconic 985-acre island park.

Detroit Tourism

To see the natural beauty of the city, look straight to the water. The Detroit Riverfront stretches for eight miles and is anchored by the new Ralph C. Wilson, Jr., Centennial Park. "It’s a massive waterfront park with basketball courts, playgrounds, water features and green space," Pierce says. For families looking to map out an itinerary, Pierce highlights several of her triplets’ favorite spots in her children's book, Hello Detroit, including the Mount Elliott Park pirate ship splash pad. Adult travelers can look to City Institute’s specialized walking tours or opt for an elegant evening on the water. "Try a Detroit Princess Riverboat dinner cruise at golden hour," Molinari suggests. "The skyline views are stunning."

Connecting the Riverfront directly to Eastern Market is the Dequindre Cut Greenway, an urban path running below street level that Molinari describes as "lined with ever-changing murals and the city’s energy just above." For an unexpected escape inside the city limits, Pierce recommends Rouge Park. "The Stone Bridge Trail feels like you’re hours outside the city when you’re actually only about 20 minutes from downtown."

Finally, no trip to Detroit is complete without crossing over to Belle Isle. "Belle Isle is uniquely Detroit," Molinari says. "This 985-acre island park in the Detroit River has the Oudolf Garden, a public beach, kayak launches, and a 5.4-mile loop trail with views of both the Detroit skyline and Windsor." Pierce notes that the island's Nature Center, beach, aquarium, and playgrounds keep locals and visitors alike returning over and over again.

Related: This Michigan Landmark With the World’s Longest Porch Just Launched Its 140th Season

I can't remember a holiday, birthday, Sunday morning or even a random busy Wednesday before school when there wasn't something from the ShopRite bakery sitting on our kitchen table. Growing up in a Northern New Jersey ShopRite family, the grocery chain wasn't just where we bought food. It was woven into our lives.

Every Sunday after church, ShopRite was our first stop before heading home. While my parents tackled the grocery list, my brother and I headed straight for the bakery. The smell alone was (and still is!) enough to pull us in. Fresh bread, muffins, cakes,pies, cookies, and donuts filled the air, creating a scent that still feels like home decades later.

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Some of my strongest childhood food memories came from those bakery cases. The buttery rolls that made every sandwich taste better. The donuts lining trays and trays, carefully put into boxes with tissue paper. Birthday cakes that punctuated ever celebration. And their iconic frosted brownies that rarely lasted more than a day in our house.

What makes ShopRite special is that it still feels like a real neighborhood bakery. While many grocery stores have shifted toward frozen or prepackaged products, many ShopRite locations continue baking fresh items in-store daily. You can see the bakers at work and smell the products being made as soon as you walk through the doors.

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Today, I still rely on ShopRite for holiday desserts, birthday cakes, fresh bread, school breakfast treats, and last-minute entertaining essentials. As a lifelong ShopRite loyalist, getting assigned a story about my favorite bakery items honestly feels like a childhood dream come true. After decades of eating my way through countless pastries, cakes, breads, and cookies, these are the bakery items I always come back for.

RELATED: I Tried 25 Whole Foods Bakery Items—Here’s What To Buy (and 3 To Skip)

Why Do Fans Love ShopRite's Bakery?

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

The answer is simple: quality and value. ShopRite somehow manages to deliver bakery items that taste like they came from a dedicated local bakery while keeping prices incredibly affordable. Whether you're grabbing a dozen donuts, a custom birthday cake, fresh rolls for dinner, or a pie for a holiday gathering, the quality consistently punches far above the price point. It's one of the few places where you can feed a crowd without sacrificing flavor or blowing your grocery budget.

RELATED: Costco Shoppers Are Racing to the Bakery for This Bright New Spring Dessert

What Can You Order at ShopRite's Bakery?

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

If you're a big host, let me introduce you to one of the greatest birthday-party hacks of all time: custom ShopRite cakes.

Over the years, I've brought ShopRite bakery teams photos of elaborate cakes that would easily cost $300 to $400 at specialty bakeries, and they've recreated remarkably similar versions for a fraction of the price. The decorators are incredibly talented, and many locations can accommodate everything from character cakes and graduation cakes to trending Pinterest-inspired designs.

Cupcake pull-apart cakes are especially popular among parents right now. They're easy to serve, require no cutting, and make cleanup a breeze. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, baby shower, graduation, retirement, or holiday gathering, ShopRite's bakery can create surprisingly impressive custom desserts without the premium bakery price tag.

RELATED: ‘I Tried the TikTok Upside-Down Pastry Craze and It’s My New Secret Weapon for Hosting Brunch’

What Can You Buy at ShopRite's Bakery?

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

The better question might be: what can't you buy?

The bakery cases are filled with freshly baked breads, rolls, bagels, donuts, muffins, pastries, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, cakes, cheesecakes, pies, specialty desserts, seasonal treats, and breakfast items. Whether you're shopping for a quick breakfast, a school celebration, a holiday meal, or a birthday party, there's usually something fresh coming out of the ovens.

RELATED: ‘I Tried the TikTok Upside-Down Pastry Craze and It’s My New Secret Weapon for Hosting Brunch’

Tips for Shopping at ShopRite's Bakery

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

I've learned some lessons when it comes to navigating the ShopRite bakery - Place custom cake and specialty dessert orders at least 24 hours in advance whenever possible. During busy holiday periods, graduation season, or major celebrations, giving the bakery a few extra days is even better.

If you're shopping for donuts, arrive early for the best selection, but don't be afraid to ask. During a recent visit around 9 a.m., I watched bakery employees bringing out fresh trays from the back throughout the morning.

Skip the expensive breakfast sandwich shop and grab fresh bakery rolls for homemade bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches. You'll save money and often end up with a better sandwich.

Check the seasonal displays. Some of ShopRite's best desserts only appear during certain times of year, and the bakery team often introduces fun trend-driven items that sell out quickly.

Finally, if you're hosting a gathering, don't overlook the bakery section for last-minute entertaining. Fresh bread, cookies, cupcakes, pies, and cakes can easily save you a lot of time.

The 12 Best Things To Buy at ShopRite's Bakery, According to a Superfan

Here are my all time favs...

1. Donuts

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

I've been saying ShopRite has some of the best donuts around for years, but now TikTok has caught on too. Soft, fluffy, generously frosted, and available in seemingly endless varieties, they're the ultimate crowd-pleaser. At well under the price of many boutique donut shops, they're one of the best bakery values you'll find anywhere. Show up with a dozen and nobody's complaining.

2. Cheesecake

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

ShopRite's cheesecake is classic New York-style perfection. Dense, creamy, rich, and just sweet enough, it's the kind of dessert that feels timeless. The strawberry-topped version is particularly good, with a generous layer of fruit adding brightness to the decadent filling.

3. Cookie Cakes

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Affordable, festive, and endlessly customizable, cookie cakes deserve more love. They're a fun alternative to traditional birthday cakes and somehow manage to satisfy both cookie lovers and cake lovers at the same time.

4. Jumbo Kaiser Rolls

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

These rolls are legendary in my family. Soft, pillowy, and slightly buttery, they're delicious with everything from jam to good-quality butter. They also happen to make phenomenal sandwiches. They remind me of a day at the beach...perfect to stuff with your favorite cold cuts and hit the road!

5. Coconut Cream Pie

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

This one is pure nostalgia for me. My mom used to pick one up for my grandfather whenever we had family dinners, and it quickly became one of my favorites too. Every bite takes me back to family gatherings around the table, sitting on my grandpa's lap. Creamy filling, fluffy topping, and plenty of coconut make it an underrated gem.

6. Mini Butter Croissants

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

These croissants are a staple in my house. They're the perfect size for kids, easy to grab on busy mornings, and delicious enough that adults inevitably steal a few too. Rich, buttery, flaky, and endlessly snackable.

7. Frosted Brownies

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

If you know, you know. Specifically, I'm talking about those iconic brownies with the thick frosting and distinctive lines across the top. They're fudgy, rich, chocolatey, and have been a fixture at family parties and school events for as long as I can remember.

8. Italian Bread

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Freshly baked and often still warm when you grab a loaf, ShopRite's Italian bread is one of the best bargains in the bakery department. It's perfect alongside pasta dinners, for garlic bread, or for building giant sandwiches to feed a crowd.

9. Rye Bread

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Growing up, rye bread was a regular at our dinner table on soup nights. Today, I still buy it for sandwiches, breakfasts, and lunches for my kids. It's hearty, flavorful, and consistently fresh.

10. Corn Muffins

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Corn muffins are one of my favorite bakery treats, and ShopRite does them exceptionally well. They're moist, slightly sweet, and absolutely perfect split open, toasted, and slathered with butter.

11. Cupcakes and Pull-Apart Cakes

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Even the brightly decorated character-themed cupcakes somehow taste good. The cake is soft, the frosting is sweet without being overwhelming, and the pull-apart cupcake cakes have become the unofficial dessert of children's birthday parties. They're practical, affordable, and always adorable.

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

12. Dot Cakes

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

Props to ShopRite for jumping on one of the biggest cake trends of the year! I was pleasantly surprised to see these in the bakery case These colorful cakes deliver all the fun of the viral bakery versions popping up on social media, but priced where you could buy 3 of these for the cost of the famous one in Manhattan! My kids were obsessed, and honestly, so was I.

Honorable Mentions

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

A few favorites just barely missed the list. The chocolate fudge cake remains one of the most reliable celebration cakes in the bakery case, especially when you need a last-minute birthday dessert. Most locations can even add a quick personalized message while you shop.

And don't sleep on the cake pops. They're a newer addition at many locations, but they're delicious and cost a fraction of what you'd pay at a coffee shop.

Courtesy Jeanette Donnarumma

After a lifetime of shopping at ShopRite, one thing hasn't changed: no matter how many trendy bakeries open around me, I still find myself gravitating back to those familiar bakery cases. The smells, the flavors, and the memories are all part of the experience, and that's something no fancy bakery can replicate.

After spending a lifetime eating my way through birthday parties, holiday gatherings, Sunday dinners, and ordinary weekday treats, ShopRite's bakery still manages to impress me. While plenty of grocery stores sell baked goods, few deliver the combination of freshness, variety, nostalgia, and value that ShopRite does. Whether you're picking up a custom cake for a special celebration, grabbing donuts for the office, or simply treating yourself to one of those iconic frosted brownies, there's a reason generations of New Jersey families keep coming back. For me, every visit feels a little like coming home and I'm excited to share my bakery stapes, in hopes some end up in your cart soon!

Related: Costco Shoppers Are Rushing to the Bakery for This New 'Perfect Summer Treat'

Lionel Richie cut a concert in St. Paul, Minn., short after 55 minutes on Wednesday, June 24, after falling unwell.

The 77-year-old singer was performing "Dancing on the Ceiling" at Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, when he took a seat on a platform on the stage,

The Grammy award winner informed the crowd, according to People, that he was feeling dizzy and that was the first time he had performed the classic song sitting down.

"When you're feeling dizzy, sit your ass down," he joked, before sitting down to perform "Three Times a Lady" at a piano.

Then followed an impromptu intermission that Richie never returned from. Richie's five band members stayed onstage for 15 minutes before leaving and being replaced by recorded music.

Around 40 minutes into the intermission, Richie's saxophonist, Dino Soldo, thanked the crowd for their patience and explained that the "All Night Long" singer was feeling unwell and wouldn't be able to return to the stage and finish the last 90 minutes of the concert.

“Unfortunately, Lionel is not feeling well,” he reportedly told the audience. “He won’t be able to continue. Additional information will be available,” Dino told the crowd.

Earth, Wind & Fire drummer John Paris later reassured fans in the Star Tribune. He explained that Richie had shown no signs of ill health beforehand and that he was "a little dehydrated."

The show was the first of a 26-date run of shows on Richie's Sing Along All Night Long tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. The singer is scheduled to perform on Friday in Chicago before hitting dates in Toronto, Boston, N.Y.C., Philadelphia, San Francisco and Los Angeles, before finishing the tour in Austin on Aug. 14. He is also set to perform international shows later this year.

Lionel has not spoken out about the incident or updated fans on how he is now feeling. We hope he feels better soon!

Known for his memorizing swirls of color and rich emotions, Vincent van Gogh completely changed the game with his bold artistic style. While a few of his paintings may stand out, there’s one Van Gogh painting that mirrors your soul, according to your birth month. But finding the Van Gogh painting matched to your birth month might be difficult since Van Gogh has over 2,000 works of art to choose from. All birth months naturally gravitate toward his more popular paintings and drawings. Despite being drawn to these works, these birth months might find that they actually resonate more with Van Gogh’s lesser-known work.

No matter if the birth month is paired with Van Gogh’s well-known art or his more obscure pieces, there’s a Van Gogh painting for each birth month. Read on to find yours. 

READ: The Painting That Mirrors Your Soul, Based on Birth Date

Your Van Gogh Painting, Based on Your Birth Month

Check for the month you were born for pro insights.

January: The Potato Eaters

Hard workers are born in January. People with this birth month are influenced by the Saturnian signs, Capricorn and Aquarius. Despite facing more challenges and karmic lessons than other birth months, January is rewarded with a stoic, responsible nature. January’s unwavering work ethic is mirrored in The Potato Eaters. Van Gogh’s moody, intense painting mimics January's complex emotional landscape after a long day of work. Plus, January will appreciate that The Potato Eaters is widely considered one of Van Gogh’s first masterpieces. 

February: The Bedroom

People born in February love to retreat once the day is done. Their independent Aquarius spirit and sensitive Pisces heart seeks solitude. Some of Van Gogh’s paintings might be too much for February to handle, but The Bedroom stands out. The Bedroom has a uniquely personal and familiar vibration that instantly comforts February. Maybe it’s the lilac walls or the simple yet inviting bed. No matter what pulls February in, people born during this month will want to envelope themselves in the coziness and inviting energy of this painting.

March: The Starry Night

Van Gogh’s otherworldly artistic style aligns with March’s energy. People born during this month share Pisces’ imagination and Aries’ vibrancy, so March will find their match in The Starry Night. Arguably one of Van Gogh’s most notable pieces, The Starry Night captures March’s swirling moods and romanticism. The way Van Gogh depicts the night sky’s celestial magic and the sleepy village mirrors how March views their world. The Starry Night isn’t just a masterpiece—it’s part of March’s soul.

April: Sunflowers

Those born in April will feel drawn to Van Gogh’s happier paintings and drawings. April is influenced by positive Aries and easygoing Taurus, so this birth month will see their optimistic spirit in Sunflowers. The radiant shades of yellow mirror April’s vibrancy and excitability. After all, Van Gogh created this famous painting with joy, gratitude, and friendship in mind. His painting is a celebration of life that a birth month like April appreciates. Sunflowers exude a happy-go-lucky energy that April cannot help but be drawn to. 

May: Tree Roots

Individuals born in May are drawn to Van Gogh’s vivacious landscapes due to being a mix of nature-loving Taurus and mutable Gemini. While Van Gogh has many lovely landscape paintings, May feels aligned with Tree Roots. This gorgeous abstract painting initially captures May’s adaptability and roving mind. The mix of colors and shapes seem almost indiscernible to everyone but May who immediately recognizes the shapes as lively, sprawling roots. May sees their spirited energy and natural wonder is every detail of Tree Roots.

June: Café Terrace at Night

If June could live in a Van Gogh painting, they would. June’s Gemini-like curiosity and Cancerian desire for coziness is channeled in Café Terrace at Night. June feels immediately at home in this bustling scene. Van Gogh’s captured a familiarity and nostalgia that brings comfort to those born during this month. Maybe it reminds them of their nights out or of a trip. Regardless, June feels a delightful wonder, and they wish they could sit outside the café to become part of Van Gogh’s world. 

July: Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat

Only July could see themselves in Van Gogh’s self-portraits. This birth month is a unique combination of the luminary-ruled zodiac signs, Cancer and Leo. These two zodiac signs capture July’s extroverted and introverted personality attributes that are explored in Self-Portrait with Grey Felt Hat. July will see their emotional depth, passion, and intensity in this masterpiece despite it being a painting of Van Gogh. Perhaps July is the only birth month who truly understands and empathizes how Van Gogh feels. 

August: The Sower

People born in August take pride in their work, thanks to being co-ruled by ambitious Leo and hardworking Virgo. Luckily, Van Gogh has captured the beauty of productivity time and time again. Although there are many to choose from, August feels connected to The Sower. Even if August has never toiled in the fields, they still feel the warmth of the sun on their back while tirelessly working. The Sower captures August’s attention to detail and fulfillment while passionately pursuing their work. 

EXPLORE: The Seashell That Reflects Your Soul’s Journey, Based on Your Birth Date

September: Garden with Courting Couples: Square Saint-Pierre

If anyone appreciates Van Gogh’s attention to detail and beautiful brush strokes, it’s September. This birth month is home to both precise Virgo and Venusian Libra. All September birthdays feel strongly about Van Gogh’s more romantic pieces, but Garden with Courting Couples: Square Saint-Pierre is ultimately their favorite. The light, calming colors bring out the warmth and coziness the couples exude. September gets lost mulling over the details and wondering what the couples must be like every time they see their Van Gogh painting. 

October: Wheatfield under Thunderclouds

October hides their intense emotional state well. People born during this month use their Libran charm to hide their Scorpionic depth. November has a magnetic allure that’s difficult to look away from, which is why they’re paired with Wheatfield under Thunderclouds. This picturesque scene is more complex than some may realize. October notices the rolling thunderclouds and empty fields, because this scene speaks to everything October tries to hide.  Try as they may, Van Gogh still captures exactly how October feels. 

November: Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette

People born during November need more than romantic landscapes and flowers. November shares Scorpio’s intensity and Sagittarius daringness, so they’re attuned with Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette. This painting’s moody color palette and subject captures November’s sarcastic sense of humor. November feels at home with the sardonic tone Van Gogh’s skeletal painting exudes. Even though this is different from Van Gogh’s other paintings, November deeply appreciates this masterpiece. 

FURTHER: Every Birth Month Has a Spirit Animal — Here’s Yours

December: A Pair of Shoes

December wants so much from this life, thanks to their explorative Sagittarius mind and legacy-focused Capricorn attitude. People born during this month feel drawn to Van Gogh’s paintings that capture hard work, effort, and conscientiousness. Although there are many labor-focused masterpieces to choose from, A Pair of Shoes captures December’s work ethic and adventurousness. December will see every step they’ve ever taken toward success, accomplishment, and excitement when they gaze at A Pair of Shoes. 

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Yungblud is putting his health first after revealing he won't be able to perform at Norway's Tons of Rock festival this week.

The 28-year-old singer shared the news directly with fans through his Instagram channel, explaining that recurring tonsillitis has forced him to cancel his scheduled appearance at the festival on Friday.

"I love this channel because it allows us to make things really personal and be together," Yungblud said in a voice message to fans on Instagram before breaking the news.

RELATED: This Nearly Canceled Performance Ended up Winning a Grammy

"Tomorrow morning the news is going to come out that I'm not going to be able to play Norway Tons of Rock on Friday night because after the crazy tour … with no rest … my tonsillitis has flared up again."

The musician, born Dominic Harrison, said he has been taking antibiotics, but his doctor advised him to be extremely careful with his voice as he recovers.

While he won't be able to perform in Norway, Yungblud told fans he still plans to attend and perform at his own Bludfest event on Saturday.

He also revealed that a longer-term solution is already on the calendar.

This isn't the first time he has had to cancel a performance, either. But he's hopeful he won't have to do it again after October 2026.

According to the singer, he is scheduled to have his tonsils removed in October after dealing with repeated flare-ups throughout his demanding touring schedule.

"When my schedule is crazy, they're the only thing that can take me down," he said.

Despite disappointing fans in Norway, Yungblud remained optimistic about the future.

"To everyone in Norway, I promise after I have this operation, I think I'll be pretty invincible."

Festival organizers later confirmed the cancellation and announced a high-profile replacement. In a statement, Tons of Rock said it was "truly sorry" for the disappointment and wished Yungblud a speedy recovery.

Stepping into the lineup will be legendary rocker Joan Jett & The Blackhearts.

Organizers called securing an international artist of that caliber on short notice a challenge, but said fans can now look forward to hearing classics including "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," "Bad Reputation" and "Crimson and Clover."

The festival added that it hopes to welcome Yungblud to a future edition of the event once he's fully recovered.

RELATED: Dropkick Murphys Pay Tribute to Shane MacGowan With Beloved Pogues Classic

Doubling Down With the Derricos star Karen Derrico was recently arrested after allegedly making death threats against her ex-husband, Deon Derrico, and their children — and Deon just broke his silence on the situation exclusively with Parade.

On Wednesday, June 24, TMZ was the first to report the news of Karen's arrest in Las Vegas. The TLC star and mother of 14 was charged with harassment, violating a restraining order, preventing a witness from testifying through threat of violence, and aggravated stalking. Oxygen True Crime reported she has pleaded not guilty on June 23, with her next court date set for Aug. 6. Currently, Karen, 46, is reportedly out on a $2,000 bond and is wearing an ankle monitor. 

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"It really alarmed and alerted me when my children told me that she had threatened to kill them," Deon, 55, told Parade of the allegations against his ex-wife.

"We were divorced two years ago, but we had been trying to work it out," he explained. "And I would say here recently over, for sure, the last year, I definitely knew it just couldn't work. She wanted us to remarry... I didn't like the games that was played, you know, when we were married the first time."

In early April, Karen moved out of the family home and got her own place, Deon noted. Some of the children primarily stayed with her, while the others primarily stayed with him; but both parents saw the kids, per a shared custody agreement.

After a disagreement, Deon said that Karen filed a "totally unfounded" temporary protective order (TPO) against him, which the judge ultimately dismissed. Deon also filed a TPO against Karen, and "that's when the threats started," he said.

"She started emailing me, asking me can we resolve it? Can we end our TPOs? X, Y, and Z. I just didn't respond," Deon alleged. "She emailed me more, emailed me more. And then eventually the emails just started to escalate. And so some of the same threats that had been said to me verbally were now in email and as well as my children. I also have audio of her admitting to having threatened the children."

Related: Doubling Down With the Derricos Star Karen Celebrates Quintuplets' Major Milestone With New Video

Ultimately, Deon filed a police report against his ex-wife. "It scared me because it made me question—for her to say that to them, the times that she has said it to me—how serious was it, or how stable-minded was she when she said it?" he shared. "And she just continued to sort of exhibit that behavior."

Of the charges, Deon told Parade, "It's just a very unfortunate situation. I feel like with us having so many children, such a large family, we both should hold ourselves to a higher standard. This is just what I really feel, that we should go above and beyond."

He alleged, "And what she done was took the first opportunity to go against me when I told her I was no longer in love with her. That's all it boiled down to."

"The allegations are completely false,” Karen's attorney, Jess Marchese, told Oxygen. “And we will prove they were completely fabricated by Mr. Derrico.”

Parade has reached out to Marchese for comment.

Next: Doubling Down With the Derricos' Deon Gives Health Update on GG Amid Her Cancer Battle (Exclusive)

On June 25, 1988, Debbie Gibson accomplished something no female artist had ever done before.

That day, her ballad "Foolish Beat" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making the then-17-year-old the youngest female artist ever to write, produce and perform her own chart-topping hit.

Nearly four decades later, the achievement remains one of the most impressive milestones in pop music history—and the record still stands today.

By the time "Foolish Beat" climbed to the top of the Hot 100, Gibson was already one of music's fastest-rising young stars. Her debut album Out of the Blue produced a string of hits, including "Only in My Dreams," "Shake Your Love" and the title track "Out of the Blue," all of which reached the Billboard Top 10.

But "Foolish Beat" was different.

The emotional ballad became Gibson's first No. 1 hit and established her as far more than a typical teen idol. Not only did she sing the song, she also wrote and produced it herself, an unusually rare accomplishment for any artist, let alone a teenager.

Gibson had been preparing for that moment for years. Raised on Long Island, New York, she began taking piano lessons as a child and started writing songs at a remarkably young age. By the time she signed with Atlantic Records as a teenager, she reportedly had more than 100 original songs in her catalog.

The success of "Foolish Beat" was only the beginning. In 1989, Gibson scored a second No. 1 hit with "Lost in Your Eyes" from her album Electric Youth. That same year, she shared ASCAP's Songwriter of the Year honor with Bruce Springsteen, further cementing her reputation as one of the era's most accomplished young songwriters.

While her commercial peak came during the late 1980s, Gibson never stepped away from music. She continued recording throughout the following decades while also building a successful stage career that included roles in productions of Les Misérables, Grease, Beauty and the Beast, Cabaret and other musicals.

More recently, Gibson reflected on her extraordinary career in her 2025 memoir, "Eternally Electric: The Message in My Music." Speaking with CBS News ahead of the book's release last August, she credited her late mother Diane with helping her fight for creative control at a time when young female artists were rarely given that opportunity.

According to Gibson, her mother regularly advocated for her behind the scenes, insisting that record executives recognize her daughter's songwriting and production abilities.

That determination helped pave the way for a historic moment on June 25, 1988.

Thirty-eight years later, "Foolish Beat" remains more than just a No. 1 hit. It stands as a reminder that one of pop music's most remarkable records was set by a teenager who insisted on doing things her own way.

Related: First Female Canadian Solo Singer to Hit No. 1 in the US Turns 81 Today

Not every artist falls in love with the song that makes them famous.

When the Pretenders released "Brass in Pocket" in 1979, the infectious blend of new wave, rock and pop quickly became the band's breakthrough hit. Yet frontwoman Chrissie Hynde has spent decades admitting she never liked the song, making its enduring popularity one of rock's most surprising success stories.

The song almost never made it that far.

Written by Hynde and guitarist James Honeyman-Scott, "Brass in Pocket" was originally met with resistance from Hynde herself, who fought against releasing it as a single because she didn't believe it represented the band.

"I did not like it at first," Hynde told American Songwriter. "I said that would go out over my dead body. That was my famous quote." She disliked both the song and the idea of it becoming the Pretenders' calling card.

"I never thought it was that great," Hynde said in an interview with Louder. "Was it pop? Motown? Rock? It didn't seem to know what it was. I used to cringe when I heard my voice on those early Pretenders recordings, and then that f****r went to number one! I remember walking around Oxford Circus hearing it blasting out of people's radios. I was mortified."

Fortunately for the band, others disagreed.

Released as the third single from the Pretenders' self-titled debut album, "Brass in Pocket" climbed to No. 1 in the United Kingdom and became the band's first major international hit. Its instantly recognizable guitar riff, confident lyrics and Hynde's unmistakable vocal delivery helped establish the Pretenders as one of the defining acts of the new wave era.

"The title came because I heard a guy from a band up north who had taken his suit to a dry cleaner and –  I can't do the accent  – but he said, 'Was there any brass in pocket?' I hadn’t heard that before and I thought it was a good turn of phrase," Hynde said.

The song's success launched an extraordinary career.

Throughout the 1980s and beyond, the Pretenders built a catalog filled with enduring classics, including "Back on the Chain Gang," "Middle of the Road," "Don't Get Me Wrong" and "I'll Stand by You." But despite that impressive body of work, "Brass in Pocket" has remained the song most closely associated with the band, introducing generations of listeners to Hynde's distinctive songwriting and fearless attitude.

Over the years, the song has also taken on a life far beyond the charts. Its laid-back groove, singalong chorus and carefree confidence have made it a favorite on classic rock radio and an enduring companion for long drives, helping it earn a reputation as one of the era's quintessential road trip songs. It has appeared in numerous films, television shows and playlists celebrating the soundtrack of the late 1970s and early 1980s.

And, it's even grown on its singer.

"Now I like that song because it's one of those songs that served me well," Hynde said.

More than 45 years after its release, "Brass in Pocket" continues to thrive, regardless of its creator's opinion. What began as a song Chrissie Hynde never wanted to define the Pretenders ultimately became the band's biggest breakthrough and one of rock’s most beloved classics.

Related: 1982 Rock Song, Lasting Over 17 Minutes, Became an Overshadowed Classic

Television shows come and go, but few leave behind a chart-topping legacy. One canceled series managed to accomplish something no other TV show has ever done: produce a song that soared to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 after audiences had already said goodbye.

The Heights, a 1992 series by Aaron Spelling, followed a group of young adults as they tried to balance their dreams of making it as a rock band with the challenges of everyday life. While the show struggled to find an audience and was quickly canceled, its theme song became a phenomenon in its own right.

The series starred Jamie Walters, Camille Saviola, Alex Désert, Charlotte Ross, and Zachary Thorne as members of a struggling rock band. Although the FOX Television drama failed to connect with viewers, its music struck a chord with audiences across the country.

The series' theme song, "How Do You Talk to an Angel," reached the top of the Billboard Charts on November 14, 1992. Remarkably, it knocked the R&B classic "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men from the No. 1 position.

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Once the series' theme song fell from the number-one spot, Fox canceled The Heights a week later. The tv drama ran for approximately one season, from August through November, 1992.

"How Do You Talk to an Angel" was written by Steve and Stephanie Tyrell and Barry Coffing. Vocals hailed from series cast member Walters, previously known for his role on Beverly Hills 90210.

“It’s very strange to have the record explode,” The Heights producer Spelling once told The Hollywood Reporter. “I guess this is the cart pulling the horse. We went in with the other thing in mind. We thought the show might help the record.”

He added, “We didn’t even use the record as the [show ’s] theme song at first. We did that three weeks later when we heard the single was doing very well in the top-40 play.”

According to Stereogum, "How Do You Talk To An Angel" became the first TV-show theme to hit the top spot of the Billboard charts since Jan Hammer's "Miami Vice Theme" and remains the last TV-show theme ever to top the Hot 100.

Related: How The Beach Boys Inspired This Iconic Scene From a ’90s Hit Series

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Now that warm weather is officially settling in, it's time to swap out your bedding to light, airy pieces that will keep you comfortable during hot summer nights. If you're looking for a breathable blanket to help ward off muggy nighttime temperatures, Amazon's top-rated Ailemei Direct Cooling Blanket is on sale for up to 36% off during Prime Day. 

Originally $40, the blanket is currently marked down to as low as $26 in the 60-by-90-inch gray striped option. You can also shop it in navy blue, blue, purple stripe, khaki stripe, and gray hues for $27 to $32, and it's available in three other sizes at varying discounts. 

Ailemei Direct Cooling Blanket, From $26 (was $40) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

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Made from mica nylon and Japanese cold fiber, this blanket is designed with cooling technology that helps absorb heat, wick away moisture, and balance body temperatures, making it ideal for hot sleepers. The Oeko-Tex certified fabric is breathable, light, and gentle against the skin, with a satiny feeling that's smooth and cool to the touch. 

Related: Amazon's 'Sturdy' $27 2-Drawer Dresser Is a 'Nice Space Saver' With 'Lots of Storage'

Thanks to the machine-washable fabric, the blanket is also super easy to care for. To keep it fresh, simply throw it in a gentle cycle or hand wash it, and allow it to air dry. The brand recommends using a laundry bag while machine washing to prevent any pills or snags. 

The Ailemei comforter is a favorite among Amazon shoppers, with over 6,000 five-star ratings. One reviewer highlighted its "super soft" and "lightweight" fabric, while another said the cooling feel is "perfect for hot sleepers." A third buyer said the item has been a major upgrade to her nighttime routine, writing, "This blanket, truly, has changed the way I sleep."

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With its breathable feel, ultra-soft fabric and several pretty colors to choose from, this highly rated cooling blanket is an excellent upgrade to your sleep space for summer. Grab one while it's still on sale for under $30 before this Prime Day deal ends at Amazon. 

Def Leppard’s “Pour Some Sugar on Me” remains one of rock music’s most enduring hits nearly four decades after its release, proving that a song created in less than two weeks can leave a lasting mark on popular culture.

Released as part of Def Leppard’s landmark 1987 album Hysteria, “Pour Some Sugar on Me” was the final song added to a record that had already taken more than three years and millions of dollars to complete. 

What began as a last-minute idea from lead singer Joe Elliott ultimately became the track that transformed Hysteria into one of the biggest-selling rock albums of all time.

The song, which reached No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on July 23, 1988, is widely regarded as Def Leppard’s signature hit. It continues to receive regular airplay on classic rock and classic hits radio stations, while remaining a staple of the band’s live performances worldwide.

“Pour Some Sugar on Me” was, according to Elliott, “the most important song” on Hysteria and “maybe the most important song in our entire career.”

The track arrived at a crucial moment for Def Leppard. Although Hysteria had already produced several singles and sold millions of copies, the album’s enormous production budget meant it still had not generated enough revenue to justify its lengthy development.

Def Leppard members Pete Willis, Steve Clark, Joe Elliott, Rick Allen and Rick Savage photographed in 1980 for Music File Photos in Los Angeles.

Photo by Chris Walter/WireImage

At the time, Def Leppard had ambitious goals for the album.

“We wanted to blow people’s minds. We wanted rock fans to go, ‘Yeah, this is way beyond what normal rock is.’ And we wanted pop fans to go, ‘They’re my rock band,’” Elliott said, per Music Radar.

The origins of “Pour Some Sugar on Me” were surprisingly simple. Near the end of the Hysteria recording sessions in late 1986, Elliott was playing an acoustic guitar during a short studio break at Wisseloord Studios in the Netherlands. Producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange overheard the riff and immediately recognized its potential.

As Elliott recalled:

“Mutt comes back and asks what it was. I said it was just this idea I’d got – no big deal. He said: ‘That’s the best hook I’ve heard in five or 10 years. We should absolutely do this song.’”

Despite Lange’s enthusiasm, not everyone in the band was eager to add another track after spending years working on the album.

“We’d done eleven songs,” Elliott said. “Nobody wanted to do another except me and Mutt. But I said, ‘Sorry, boys – you can’t turn this chorus down!’”

Inspired in part by the groundbreaking collaboration between Aerosmith and Run-D.M.C. on “Walk This Way,” Elliott envisioned a song that blended rock with rhythmic elements borrowed from rap music.

Guitarist Phil Collen later explained that Lange helped shape the song’s distinctive opening riff.

“Mutt saw the intro as this kinda country guitar lick, played with his fingers,” Collen said. “I can’t actually do that, so Mutt had said: ‘Just make it very gappy.’ So I put this main riff in the gaps. It was really based on rap stuff – not your standard rock song.”

Remarkably, the entire track was completed in approximately 10 days, making it one of the fastest songs created during the lengthy Hysteria sessions.

When Hysteria was released on Aug. 3, 1987, Def Leppard expected major success. However, the album’s early singles produced mixed results in the United States.

The breakthrough came when “Pour Some Sugar on Me” was released as the fourth US single in 1988.

The song quickly gained momentum through radio requests and heavy MTV exposure. According to band members, requests from dancers and club audiences helped fuel the song’s popularity across American radio markets.

“When Sugar took off,” bassist Rick Savage said, “the album went from three million to six million almost overnight. And then there was no stopping it.”

The single’s success pushed Hysteria to No. 1 in the United States nearly a year after the album’s release. It helped the record outperform major releases from artists including Van Halen, George Michael, Guns N’ Roses and the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.

Nearly 39 years after its release, the track that was almost left off Hysteria continues to prove that some rock anthems never lose their appeal.

Related: 1973 Rock Song With Zero Chart History Remains a Classic 53 Years Later

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Who amongst us isn't guilty of skipping sunscreen because we were worried it would turn our already-shiny faces into an oil slick by lunchtime? Nobody? Just me? There has to be a few of us slick-skinned divas out there who've passed on SPF rather than spend the afternoon looking like a glazed donut.

And if you're like me, I must tell you that dermatologists want us to cut it out. Because even though oily skin has a reputation for being self-sufficient, the extra sebum on the surface isn't magically protecting us from the sun. UV rays don't care how much oil your skin produces, and that exposure compounds over time into the exact problems oily and acne-prone skin already struggles with most, including post-acne dark spots, uneven tone and accelerated aging.

The real obstacle isn't whether you need sunscreen. It's finding the best sunscreen for oily skin with a formula that doesn't feel like piling more oil onto a surface that already has plenty. The good news is that sunscreen technology has changed dramatically in the last several years. Gel formulas, oil-free fluids and mattifying powders have made daily SPF something oily-skinned people can actually be happy wearing rather than dread, and noncomedogenic labeling has gotten significantly more reliable.

Here, skincare experts break down why you shouldn't skip SPF with oily skin, what to actually look for on the label and which nine sunscreens they'd put on their own bathroom shelf.

Related: 16 Best Moisturizers for Oily Skin, According to Celebrity Dermatologists

Meet the Experts

To find the formulas that genuinely deliver, we talked to seven dermatologists and skincare professionals.

• Dr. Azadeh Shirazi is the founder of La Jolla Laser Derm and AziMD Skincare.
• Rebecca Creer is an aesthetician specializing in skincare, suncare and wellness.
• Dr. Kseniya Kobets is Director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Montefiore Einstein Advanced Care.
• Dr. Whitney Hovenic is a double board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of sunscreen brand SPOOGE.
• Derms Dr. Radhika Shah, Dr. Kenneth Mark and Dr. Nicole Lee, owner of Epoch Dermatology, round out the panel.

Related:The 12 Best Face Masks for Acne That Unclog and Transform Skin, Tested by Dermatologists

Top Sunscreens for Oily Skin

• Best Overall:EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
• Best for Sensitive Oily Skin:Epicutis Lipid Shield SPF 30
• Best Lightweight:EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone and Oil Balancing SPF 50
• Best Chemical:La Roche-Posay Anthelios Air Serum
• Best Mineral:Neova Everyday Facial Fluid SPF 44
• Best for Visible Light Protection: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
• Best Drugstore:CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Sheer Tint SPF 30
• Best Gel: Image Skincare Prevention+ Clear Solar Gel
• Best Stick:CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

Why Does Oily Skin Still Need Sunscreen Every Day?

Oil is not sun protection, no matter how much of it your skin produces. Lee hears this misconception constantly in her practice. The truth is that oily skin is frequently dealing with acne marks, pigmentation and textural changes that become much harder to improve without consistent daily SPF.

Creer adds a layer most people don't think about. UVB rays cause the sunburn you can see and feel, but UVA rays work silently, penetrating clouds, glass and skin year-round while breaking down collagen deep in the dermis.

"You feel nothing while this is happening, which is exactly what makes it so damaging over time," she explains. Shirazi notes that oily skin is just as vulnerable to skin cancer as any other skin type, even for people who rarely burn.

Related: 11 Best Moisturizers for Acne-Prone Skin, According to Dermatologists

What Does 'Non-Comedogenic' Mean in Sunscreen?

"Non-comedogenic" means the sunscreen's ingredients are formulated not to clog pores, which is what causes comedones, the blackheads and whiteheads that often kick off a breakout. As Mark puts it, "All acne starts with a clogged pore," which is exactly why this label matters so much for oily and acne-prone skin.

However, "'Non-comedogenic' is not a regulated FDA-defined term, so in many ways it's more of a marketing claim than a guarantee," she explains. Acne formation is influenced by far more than a single ingredient, and even formulas containing technically comedogenic ingredients aren't necessarily comedogenic once fully formulated.

What actually matters, according to Kobets, is the full picture. The final formulation, the climate, your layering routine and your individual skin sensitivity all play a role. Shirazi recommends pairing the noncomedogenic label with "oil-free" or "lightweight" for the most comfortable daily wear, while Lee points out that texture and formulation often matter more than the label itself.

Related: ‘SPF Excellence Awards’: The 33 Best Sun-Protection Products for 2026

Sunscreen Ingredients Dermatologists Recommend for Oily Skin

Niacinamide comes up across nearly every expert consulted. Hovenic explains that it supports the skin barrier while helping calm redness and regulate excess oil, which makes it one of the most consistently useful ingredients for this skin type. Shirazi adds zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to the list, along with modern chemical UV filters formulated into sheer, fast-absorbing textures.

Creer goes a step further on the filter side, pointing to newer-generation chemical options like Tinosorb S and Mexoryl 400 for excellent broad-spectrum coverage in lightweight textures. She also looks for silica or mattifying powders to control shine and hyaluronic acid for hydration, since dehydrated oily skin tends to overproduce oil to compensate.

Mark recommends "using gels and formulas with vitamin B to help balance the skin," he says, while steering patients away from ointments and thick or greasy lotions.

Related: 7 Reasons To Add Aloe Vera to Your Skincare Over 50, According to Dermatologists

Are Mineral or Chemical Sunscreens Better for Oily Skin?

The experts split here, which is itself useful information. Mark makes the strongest case for mineral formulas on a technical level. "Mineral sunscreens block the full UVA and UVB spectrum, which no single chemical sunscreen ingredient does," he explains, noting that chemical sunscreens require multiple compounds working together, and some older UVA blockers degrade with sun exposure rather than staying photostable.

Kobets tends to favor lightweight mineral sunscreens for oily, acne-prone or rosacea-prone skin specifically, since zinc oxide and titanium dioxide sit on the skin's surface rather than penetrating it, which reduces irritation risk. But she's quick to point out that excellent formulas exist in both categories, and hybrid sunscreens combining mineral and chemical filters can offer the best of both.

"Oily skin is often more about wearability than ideology," Lee says. Chemical sunscreens often win cosmetically because they feel lighter, but well-formulated zinc-based mineral options can work just as beautifully, particularly for sensitive or acne-prone patients.

Related: ‘I’m a Celebrity Dermatologist and This Is the One Thing I Never, Ever Do When It Comes to My Skin’

9 Best Sunscreens for Oily Skin, Tested by Dermatologists

Here are the top products to protect your oily skin in the sun, according to experts.

Best Overall: EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, $45

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Multiple experts on our list reach for this same formula independently, which says a lot. Shirazi calls it "a longtime dermatologist favorite," noting that the niacinamide helps calm redness and support acne-prone skin without ever feeling heavy.

Lee agrees, pointing to the way it "strikes a nice balance between being lightweight while still feeling hydrating enough to support the skin barrier." She adds that it "layers beautifully and tends to be one patients actually stick with"—which, honestly, is the whole game with daily SPF.

Best for Sensitive Oily Skin: Epicutis Lipid Shield SPF 30, $90

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Lee specifically calls out this formula for patients whose oily skin is also reactive or inflammation-prone, a combination that's notoriously tricky to treat since mattifying ingredients can sometimes irritate already-sensitive skin further.

"It feels cosmetically elegant while still supporting overall skin health," she explains. For anyone who's tried the typical oil-control sunscreens and found them too stripping, this is the gentler alternative built with that exact problem in mind.

Best Lightweight: EltaMD UV Clear Blemish-Prone and Oil Balancing SPF 50, $49

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For anyone who associates SPF with a heavy, tacky finish, this is the formula that might change that. "It feels cosmetically elegant," Lee says, "which is often what determines whether someone stays consistent with sunscreen long term."

Shirazi's AziMD Skincare line offer another option worth knowing about as well: The Skincare Hydratint BB SPF 44 gives lightweight coverage while evening tone and controlling shine.

Best Chemical: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Air Serum, $40

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Lee describes this as "exceptionally lightweight and breathable," adding that "serum-like textures tend to do particularly well in patients who dislike traditional sunscreen feels." For anyone who has avoided chemical sunscreens because of past experiences with heavy or sticky formulas, this is the one that might finally change their mind.

Best Mineral: Neova Everyday Facial Fluid SPF 44, $62

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Mark's recommendation pairs zinc oxide for full-spectrum protection with DNA repair enzymes and antioxidants, a combination he describes as cosmetically elegant enough to rub in nicely without causing breakouts. "Zinc is soothing to the skin," he adds, pushing back on the assumption that mineral formulas are automatically heavier or more difficult to wear than chemical ones.

Hovenic also recommends her own brand for mineral coverage. Her pick is SPOOGE Dew Me Mineral SPF 30, a lightweight tinted formula with hyaluronic acid and niacinamide built in for oily skin types.

If you’re looking for a reef-safe, non-toxic formula that uses a clinically studied approach to neutralize UV exposure without blocking the skin's ability to produce vitamin D, Mark says Osmosis Sun Defense Elixir is a great option. 

Best for Visible Light Protection: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50, $58

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Kobets recommends this one specifically for patients dealing with melasma or visible light sensitivity, since it contains iron oxides that protect against visible light, an important trigger for hyperpigmentation that standard SPF ratings don't account for.

"It gives more visible light protection, which can be particularly helpful in melasma," she explains. For anyone whose pigmentation issues seem to flare regardless of how diligent they are with traditional sunscreen, this addresses a gap most formulas miss.

Best Drugstore: CeraVe Hydrating Mineral Sunscreen Sheer Tint SPF 30, $13

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Hovenic's fragrance-free pick proves that affordable mineral sunscreen doesn't have to come with the chalky, heavy finish older formulas were known for. It's formulated to support the skin barrier while still delivering the zinc-based protection that sensitive or acne-prone skin tends to tolerate well, all at a price point that makes daily, generous application much easier to commit to.

Best Gel: Image Skincare Prevention+ Clear Solar Gel, $41

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Shirazi's gel pick delivers on the exact promise oily skin needs most. It feels weightless on application and dries down to a breathable, non-sticky finish rather than sitting on top of the skin.

Gel formulas tend to work especially well for oily skin types precisely because they skip the heavier emulsifiers found in cream-based sunscreens, and this one is a clean example of why that distinction matters.

Best Stick: CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen Stick for Face and Body SPF 50, $10

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Shirazi recommends this for the simple reason that stick formats make midday reapplication realistic. She describes it as "easy to reapply throughout the day" with "ceramides to help support the skin barrier while providing lightweight, non-greasy sun protection."

For anyone who knows they should reapply but never actually does because the process feels inconvenient, this removes that excuse entirely.

How To Layer Sunscreen With Makeup on Oily Skin

The order matters less than the patience. Hovenic recommends applying sunscreen as the final step in your skincare routine and letting it fully absorb for one to two minutes before primer or foundation goes on, which prevents pilling and excess shine later in the day.

Kobets suggests thinking of sunscreen as your primer rather than a separate step competing for space on your face. For oily skin specifically, a combined moisturizer and SPF can reduce the number of products layered on at once.

Lee's approach focuses on keeping every layer light. Skincare first, then sunscreen, giving it a minute or two before makeup goes on top, with blotting paper or a light powder in the T-zone rather than reapplying heavier products throughout the day.

FAQS

Can Sunscreen Cause Breakouts or Clogged Pores?

Sometimes, but the fix is never to skip sunscreen. Shah explains that certain formulas contain heavier emollients like coconut oil, shea butter or lanolin, which can clog pores and trigger breakouts in susceptible skin. Hovenic raises a point that's easy to overlook. Often it isn't the sunscreen itself causing the problem but a lack of proper cleansing at the end of the day. "It is oftentimes the lack of a good cleanser to wash off the sunscreen and not the sunscreen itself that makes people break out," she shares.

Lee frames it as a matching problem rather than a sunscreen problem. Heavy or overly occlusive formulas may not sit well on oily or acne-prone skin, but formulations have improved enough that there's now a lightweight option for nearly every skin type. Consistency matters more than chasing a theoretically perfect formula.

How Often Should You Reapply Sunscreen?

Every two hours outdoors is the universal answer, with extra reapplication after sweating or swimming. Shirazi recommends sunscreen powders, sprays or cushions for people wearing makeup, since reapplying a full layer of cream over foundation isn't realistic for most people.

Creer adds that UVA rays come through windows at near-constant intensity year-round, so even a mostly indoor day deserves a thorough morning application if you're near natural light at any point. Her tip for makeup wearers is to blot first, then reapply with a stick or powder, a process that takes about thirty seconds and meaningfully extends protection for the rest of the day.

What SPF Do Dermatologists Recommend for Daily Use?

SPF 30 is the daily minimum nearly every expert lands on. Shirazi recommends going higher, to SPF 50 or above, for anyone spending extended time outdoors, managing melasma or using retinoids and other exfoliating treatments that increase sun sensitivity.

Creer explains that SPF 30 blocks around 97% of UVB rays while SPF 50 blocks about 98%, a gap that sounds small but compounds significantly with years of daily use, especially since most people apply far less product than testing standards assume.

For the face alone, Kobets recommends about a third to a quarter teaspoon, or roughly four to five pea-sized amounts, which is more than most people are actually using.

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Related: These 5 French Pharmacy Finds Make Mature Skin Glow, a Dermatologist Says

The summer humidity may be settling in, but if you want to orchestrate a seamless, crowd-defying family holiday gathering at Walt Disney World, the planning window has officially arrived. Disney just kicked off its annual "Halfway to the Holidays" campaign by dropping a massive sleigh-full of dates, ticket windows and event details for the upcoming winter season. Officially, the resort-wide celebration is locked in to run from November 13, 2026, through January 6, 2027. For empty-nesters trying to coordinate schedules with adult children or grandparents mapping out a memorable multi-generational milestone trip, navigating a lineup this dense can feel completely overwhelming.

Since the moment the schedule dropped, seasoned theme park experts have begun dissecting the fine print to separate the absolute must-do experiences from the overhyped ones. Writing for the Disney Tourist Blog, industry insider Tom Bricker notes that while Disney's official marketing timeline spans from mid-November to early January, these are not hard boundaries for every single piece of park magic. For families trying to maximize their vacation days, understanding these calendar quirks and strategic highlights is the secret to building an unforgettable holiday itinerary.

Related: Why the Famous 3-2-1 Disney Hack Does Not Work For My Family

A Savvy New Year Extension to Absorb Crowds

The most fascinating revelation from this year’s calendar drop is the choice to extend the official backend of the holiday season through January 6, 2027. Historically, Disney has wrapped up its major holiday entertainment right around New Year's Eve, leaving post-holiday travelers with diminishing festive cheer. According to Bricker, pushing the conclusion back by nearly a full week is a brilliant logistical pivot that travelers should use to their advantage.

"Ending Christmas on January 6, 2027 as opposed to December 31st makes a ton of sense," Bricker explains in his post. "The first week of January has become the second busiest week of the entire year... Having more to help absorb crowds during that time will be very welcome." For multi-generational groups who prefer to avoid the absolute peak chaos of Christmas week, booking a trip during the first week of January now offers a golden window to experience the full slate of holiday live entertainment and festive atmosphere at a slightly more manageable pace.

Related: I Ditched My iPhone for a '90s-Style Disney Vacation—And My Kids Actually Loved It

The Ultimate After-Dark Spectacular Is Heading to Non-Party Nights

If your group is specifically looking for that signature, jaw-dropping evening spectacular that brings everyone together, the most exciting news of the season revolves around Disney’s newest evening powerhouse: Disney Starlight: Dream the Night Away. Since its dazzling debut, this massive, tech-forward nighttime parade has brought a long-awaited wave of electricity back to the park’s evening lineup. Packed with brilliant floats featuring beloved characters from Encanto, Frozen, Peter Pan and Coco, the parade even weaves in touching, nostalgic musical nods to fan-favorite legacy pageants like the Main Street Electrical Parade and SpectroMagic.

Disney has officially confirmed that the parade will continue to light up the night throughout the winter season, but with a major catch: it will not perform on the specific evenings that Magic Kingdom hosts Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party. Instead, day-ticket guests will want to target non-party nights to catch the glowing processional. Because it only shows a few nights a week during the winter, insiders warn that crowds will be colossal. To beat the rush, experienced planners suggest skipping the hectic first showing and sticking around for the significantly less crowded 10:00 p.m. or 11:00 p.m. performance, where you can often easily slide into a front-row view along Liberty Square or Frontierland just minutes before the floats arrive.

Related: Disney World Just Dropped a $199 Ticket Deal Perfect for Empty Nesters

What to Prioritize (and Skip) at the Magic Kingdom

Over at the Magic Kingdom, the daytime holiday environment will offer a mix of familiar favorites and slightly dialed-back elements. The world-famous Jingle Cruise is officially scheduled to return, transforming the classic river journey into a festive adventure packed with seasonal, pun-filled skipper gags and a beautifully decorated holiday queue. It remains a highly popular choice for a multi-generational afternoon, though insiders tip that it's best experienced after dark when the string lights on the canopied tramp steamers really pop.

However, when it comes to the central hub entertainment, experts are urging families to manage their expectations. The park will once again present the Frozen Holiday Surprise stage show in front of Cinderella Castle. Bricker cautions that the show itself can feel a bit anticlimactic if you aren't standing directly up against the stage. "We’ve seen 'Frozen Holiday Surprise' a few times in the last couple of years. It’s incredibly underwhelming," he notes, adding that "the supporting projections are almost static images that add absolutely nothing." The daytime experience faces another hurdle for legacy fans, as the iconic, physical Cinderella Castle Dream Lights are once again missing from the lineup—a disappointing omission for purists who miss the breathtaking sight of 200,000 tiny white icicle lights physically transforming the structure into a glistening ice palace.

Discovering More Holiday Magic Around the Parks

For those looking to soak in the holiday spirit at a more leisurely, unhurried pace, Disney's secondary parks offer an incredible festive atmosphere. At Disney's Animal Kingdom, the undisputed highlight is the return of the Merry Menagerie—a collection of life-size, artisan-sculpted winter animal puppets like polar bears, foxes and penguins that gracefully mingle with guests alongside live acoustic musicians on Discovery Island. Bricker highly praises the display, calling the puppets "something special—truly some Real Christmas Magic at Walt Disney World!"

Meanwhile, over at EPCOT, the International Festival of the Holidays will take center stage from November 27 through December 30, 2026. This is where your group can stroll at a leisurely pace to hear cultural holiday storytellers and indulge in seasonal global kitchens. For a truly moving tradition, the Candlelight Processionalremains an absolute non-negotiable, pairing a celebrity narrator with a massive choir and a full live orchestra to retell the Christmas story. If you want a brilliant "sleeper hit" that the entire family will love, don't skip the holiday overlay at Living with the Land. The relaxing greenhouse boat ride transforms after dark into the Glimmering Greenhouses, floating past thousands of twinkling, festive light displays integrated directly into the park's futuristic labs—a calming, understated experience that serves as the perfect antidote to holiday theme park hustle.

Lock in Your Logistical Game Plan

If your group decides that a hard-ticket, after-hours party is the right fit for your vacation style, you will have two distinct options to choose from. The quintessential, family-friendly Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party will occupy Magic Kingdom on 25 select nights between November 8 and December 22, 2026, featuring the beloved holiday parade and snowfall on Main Street. If your party consists of adult children or fellow empty-nesters looking for a more sophisticated, retro-Hollywood vibe, Disney Jollywood Nightsat Hollywood Studios is extending its run longer than ever, with select dates stretching all the way to January 5, 2027.

To ensure you don't get locked out of your preferred dates, mark your calendars for the upcoming ticket windows. Presales officially unlock on July 9, 2026, for guests staying at select Disney Resorts Collection hotels, the Walt Disney World Swan, Dolphin and Swan Reserve properties, or Shades of Green. General public sales will follow closely behind on July 16, 2026. By securing your tickets early and anchoring your days around the resort's best atmospheric offerings, you can easily outsmart the seasonal stress and deliver a flawless holiday escape for the entire family.

Related: Disney Insiders Are Naming This the Best Character Spot in All of Disney World

In 1976, Boz Scaggs recorded a breakout hit that would give him long-overdue success.

The song, “Lowdown,” made its debut on the Billboard Hot 100 on July 4, 1976, and climbed the charts for the rest of the Bicentennial summer. “Lowdown” peaked at No. 3 on the music chart on Oct. 9 that fall, becoming Scaggs’ highest-charting single and a Grammy-winning classic.

Written by Scaggs and keyboardist David Paich, “Lowdown” appeared on Scaggs’ seventh studio album, Silk Degrees. The song fused rock, soul, and jazz with lyrics about disappointment in a relationship, and its laid-back tone made it a cross-genre hit on ‘70s FM radio.

RELATED: 1976 One-Hit Wonder Took Months to Get Airplay

In an interview with Songfacts, Scaggs shared that “Lowdown” was written during an all-night session with Paich and other future members of Toto.

"That was the first song that I wrote with those Toto guys, with David Paich in particular,” he shared. “When we first met, the producer suggested we try to write a song or two together. We took off for a weekend to this getaway outside of LA, where there was a piano, and stayed up all night banging around ideas. We hit on 'Lowdown,' and then we brought it back to the band and recorded it. We were just thrilled with that one. That was the first song that we attempted, and it had a magic to it."

Despite the studio magic, Scaggs initially thought “Lowdown” didn’t have “a chance in hell” of becoming a hit and once called its success “an accident,” according to Guitar Player magazine. A key factor in the song’s success was its crossover appeal, which earned it airplay on soft rock, pop, R&B, and disco radio stations across the country.

Guitarist Louis Shelton’s solo helped give the song a bit of rock credibility, but even that was a lightning-in-a-bottle moment.

He told Guitar Player, “The solo was an improvised thing where they just simply asked me to fill in the spaces. ..All of that stuff was spontaneous. Nothing was planned. I was just listening to the song and reading the chord chart, and I improvised something straight off the cuff.

“And it was all a first take. There was no going back and punching in or planning a solo,” he added.

After “Lowdown” rode its way up the charts through the summer of ’76, Scaggs solidified the song’s success with an appearance on Saturday Night Live. Scaggs performed the song as the musical guest in an episode hosted by legendary television producer Norman Lear on Sept. 25, 1976. The TV appearance helped push “Lowdown" to its peak spot on Billboard two weeks later.

Related: 1977 No. 1 Soft Rock Ballad Written By Music Legend Was a Hit Twice

A song about a man awaiting execution might seem like an unlikely candidate to become one of heavy metal's greatest live anthems.

Yet that's exactly what happened when Iron Maiden released "Hallowed Be Thy Name" in 1982. Running more than seven minutes, the epic closing track from The Number of the Beast has grown from an ambitious album cut into one of the band's most beloved songs, thrilling arena crowds around the world for more than four decades.

Its unforgettable story helped set it apart.

Written by bassist Steve Harris, "Hallowed Be Thy Name" follows the final thoughts of a prisoner awaiting execution, beginning with quiet reflection before exploding into one of Iron Maiden's most dramatic musical journeys. Blending theatrical storytelling with intricate guitar harmonies, shifting tempos and Bruce Dickinson's soaring vocals, the song showcased everything that would come to define the band's signature sound.

The track also arrived at a pivotal moment in Iron Maiden's career.

Released on the band's landmark 1982 album The Number of the Beast, "Hallowed Be Thy Name" was one of the first songs to feature Dickinson following his arrival as lead singer. The album became Iron Maiden's breakthrough, reaching No. 1 in the United Kingdom and introducing the new wave of British heavy metal pioneers to a much wider international audience.

"We think that 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' is Iron Maiden's best song," Dickinson said in a 1983 interview. "Musically, I think it represents a turning point in Maiden's music. Steve wrote this song as a follow-up to 'Phantom Of The Opera'. In fact, the writing of this song represents in itself a series of concepts. So we can say that it's a "concept-song."

Although it was never released as a commercial single, "Hallowed Be Thy Name" quickly became indispensable to Iron Maiden's live shows. For decades, it has served as one of the emotional high points of the band's concerts, with audiences singing along to its soaring melodies before erupting during its blistering finale.

Performed on countless world tours in arenas and stadiums across the globe, the song has become synonymous with Iron Maiden's spectacular live production and larger-than-life stage shows.

"If someone who’d never heard Maiden before – someone from another planet or something – asked you about Maiden, what would you play them?" wondered Harris, before answering his own question: "I think 'Hallowed Be Thy Name' is the one."

More than 40 years after its release, "Hallowed Be Thy Name" remains one of heavy metal's defining achievements. What began as the dramatic finale to The Number of the Beast has become an arena-rock anthem, proving that even a seven-minute epic with no radio ambitions can unite tens of thousands of fans in one unforgettable moment.

Related: 1982 Rock Song, Lasting Over 17 Minutes, Became an Overshadowed Classic

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When you're creating a cozy seating area, reading nook, or inviting living space, farmhouse-inspired furniture is hard to beat. It brings warmth, character, and a lived-in feel that instantly makes a room more welcoming. The downside is that many farmhouse-style pieces come with hefty price tags that can quickly add up.

That’s why Walmart’s Summer Deals event, happening June 22 to June 28, is such a great opportunity to shop for larger home pieces. Right now, the Legahome Linen Upholstered Accent Chair is on sale for 48% off, bringing the price down from $171 to just $89.

Legahome Linen Upholstered Accent Chair, From $89 (was $171) at Walmart

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The chair is available in five different designs, including classic striped and plaid patterns that fit beautifully into farmhouse-inspired interiors. The vintage-inspired details give it plenty of charm while still feeling timeless and versatile.

Design elements like elegant nailhead trim, square arms, and solid wood legs help give the chair a high-end appearance. It strikes a nice balance between inviting comfort and classic style, making it easy to incorporate into a variety of spaces.

Built with linen upholstery and a solid wood frame, the chair is designed for durability as well as looks. It supports up to 350 pounds, offering a sturdy and reliable seat for everyday use.

Its compact footprint makes it easy to place in living rooms, bedrooms, home offices, or reading corners. Measuring 25.2 inches long, 27.2 inches wide, and 35 inches tall, it's spacious enough to be comfortable without overwhelming smaller spaces. Assembly is straightforward, with included hardware and clear instructions.

Comfort is a major highlight. The chair features a 20.9-inch deep seat, a tufted back cushion, and a double-layer seat cushion that provides plenty of support. High-resilience foam cushioning helps create a comfortable place to relax for extended periods.

One shopper shared, “The linen fabric looks high-quality and blue and white gives it a classic, elegant look. The nailhead trim adds a nice vintage-inspired touch. It's sturdy, well-made, and comfortable for relaxing or reading.” Another described the chair as “beautiful,” writing, "It's such good quality and easy to assemble!”

Shop More Deals

• Ebello Swivel Accent Chair, $210 (was $400) at Walmart
• Ubesgoo Modern Armchair, From $105 (was $200) at Walmart
• Bonzy Home Solid Wood Armchair Set, From $150 (was $459) at Walmart

Related: Target’s ‘Soft’ $473 Modular Sectional Sofa Is 'Pet-Friendly' and 'Perfect for a Family'

For a stylish, comfortable, and timeless accent chair, the Legahome Linen Upholstered Accent Chair is an excellent choice. With Walmart's current 48% discount during the Summer Deals Event, you can save more than $80 on this charming farmhouse-inspired piece.