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Ella Langley continues one of the most remarkable chart runs of 2026.

According to Billboard, her smash hit "Choosin' Texas" spends a 16th consecutive week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, tying for the fourth-longest reign in the chart's nearly 68-year history. Only Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" (22 weeks), Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" (19 weeks) and Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" featuring Billy Ray Cyrus (19 weeks) have spent more time atop the all-genre chart.

But even bigger than Langley's latest milestone is the record it helped create.

Country Music is Dominating the Billboard Hot 100

For the first time in Billboard Hot 100 history, country songs occupy the entire Top 5.

Langley's "Choosin' Texas" holds at No. 1, followed by Morgan Wallen's new single "Been by Now" at No. 2. Taylor Swift's "I Knew It, I Knew You" sits at No. 3, Langley and Wallen's duet "I Can't Love You Anymore" remains at No. 4, and Stella Lefty's breakthrough hit "Boston" rounds out the Top 5 at No. 5.

Until now, country had never swept all five positions on the Hot 100. Billboard notes the genre had reached four of the Top 5 during two weeks in July 2026, but this marks the first complete takeover.

Langley's Historic Year Continues

The latest achievement adds another chapter to Langley's remarkable breakout year.

Beyond leading the Hot 100 for a 16th week, "Choosin' Texas" also remains No. 1 on Billboard's Hot Country Songs chart for a 34th week, tying for the third-longest reign in that chart's history. The song is also spending its ninth week atop the Songs of the Summer chart.

Billboard also highlighted another unusual accomplishment involving Langley and Wallen. Along with holding the top two positions individually, the pair also occupies No. 4 together with "I Can't Love You Anymore." According to Billboard, it's only the fourth time in Hot 100 history that two artists have each had solo songs in the Top 5 while also sharing a collaboration there simultaneously, and the first time it's happened with country music.

For a genre that has steadily grown its presence on the Hot 100 over the past several years, this week's chart represents a landmark moment. Thanks to Langley, Wallen, Swift and Lefty, country music has officially accomplished something no genre lineup ever had before on Billboard's flagship chart.

Related: Ella Langley's Next Big Hit Is Rapidly Climbing the Charts

Roland Orzabal, known as lead singer and guitarist for the band Tears for Fears, is opening up about the tragic death of his first wife in his new memoir.

Orzabal, 64, best known for hits like “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” and “Shout,” speaks candidly in his new memoir, Welcome to Your Life. While Orzabal has found happiness as a new dad these days, the struggles he experienced in the past were significant. In the memoir, Orzabal discusses the devastating 2017 death of Caroline, his wife of 35 years. She died at 54 following alcohol-related dementia. 

“I wanted to start with that because it fundamentally changed my life,” Orzabal told PEOPLE. “It was something that I don’t think you ever really come to terms with. I also wanted to start with that because it bled automatically into my new relationship [with my now-wife Emily Rath]. The point of that chapter is, ‘Did the decision I made prompt the outcome?’ A lot of people are going to miss that because it doesn’t sound like it’s possible. But if you believe that thought can create your life, then it’s an interesting question.”

Scott Dudelson / Getty Images

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Orzabal Welcomed a New Baby at 64

Last year, Orzabal and his wife, Emily Rath Orzabal, then 38, welcomed their first child together. Rath Orzabal confirmed the pregnancy earlier in the summer with an adorable photo of herself cradling her pregnant belly while standing at the base of a rocky wall. (It has since been deleted.) However, it turns out that one of Orzabal’s bandmates was the one who let the news slip to the press of the baby’s arrival. The previous month, his bandmate Curt Smith confirmed in an interview with Vulture that the baby arrived in August.

“We were going to tour this summer, but Roland and his wife had a baby in June,” said Smith. “So the summer touring obviously was off because you don’t want to be away from home that close to having a baby.”

Related: Iconic '80s Rocker, 64, and Wife, 38, Welcome First Child Together

Getting eye makeup "right" after 50 is all about technique. What may have worked years ago, like heavy eye liner, full-coverage shadow and dense mascara, may no longer look the same as the skin around the eyes changes in texture and tone.

As the eye area ages, the skin becomes thinner and loses elasticity, lids can start to hood or droop and the natural fat pads that once kept the under-eye area looking smooth begin to shift. The result is that the same products and placements that once opened the eye can begin to make it look smaller or more tired.

Professional makeup artists who work on many different faces in a single week understand how skin of different ages requires different techniques. As makeup artist Saffron Hughespreviously told Parade, "The key isn't to pile on more products but to use light, well-placed touches that bring back definition and brightness."

Celebrity makeup artist Karoline Karakeosian, whose clients include Sofia Carson and Lori Harvey, agreed, and shared the tricks she relies on most for mature eyes.

One tip stood out above the rest: a single strategic product placement that creates an instant lift with almost no effort. Find out the technique—and a few other simple adjustments that make a real difference.

Related: The Genius Eyeliner Trick We Wish We’d Known About Sooner

The 1 Product That Gives Mature Eyes a Natural Lift: Shimmer Eye Shadow

Believe it or not, the makeup artists' go-to lifting product for mature eyes is a shimmer eye shadow. Although some people argue that shimmery shadow can highlight texture, the correct shade and placement can make mature eyes pop—in a good way.

Adding brightness to the inner corners of the eyes is one of the most effective tools in a makeup artist's kit for opening up the eye area—and it's a step most people skip entirely.

To get the effect, place a dab of shimmer shadow in the inner corners of the eyes and under the brow arch. "This creates a natural lift and youthful light reflection," Karakeosian explained. "Mature eyes often look tired due to inner-corner shadowing."

She recommended a shimmer shadow in the shades of champagne, rose gold or soft peach, never a stark white, which can look harsh. Hughes prefers to do this step with a cream highlighter for the same reason, as she previously told Parade, "It's a subtle step that keeps the eyes looking lifted and awake."

Related: 11 Best Eyeshadows for Mature Skin, According to Celebrity Makeup Artists

Getty

2 More Expert-Backed Tips for Mature Eyes

Here's what else to keep in mind.

1. Keep the rest of your eye makeup soft

The inner corner trick works best when the rest of the eye look doesn't compete with it. Karakeosian previously recommended keeping darker shadow to the outer third of the eye only, and Hughes suggested sweeping a mid-tone neutral shade slightly above the natural crease—not in it—to create the illusion of a higher lid.

For liner, both experts suggested avoiding anything heavy or very dark. "Brown, grey or plum shades are more flattering than black and create a natural contrast that lifts the eyes," Hughes said.

For mascara, Karakeosian recommended a brown-black shade and concentrating application at the outer corners to elongate and lift. Two light coats of a lengthening formula that separates without clumping is all you need.

Related: The 7 Best Concealers for Mature Skin, According to Celebrity Makeup Artists

2. Don't skip the brows

Of course, brows frame the entire eye area, and since they thin with age, a small amount of attention to them will pay off significantly. Karakeosian recommended shades with soft ash undertones.

Hughes' approach? A fine pencil to create small, realistic strokes, finished with a tinted brow gel to set everything in place. "Keeping the tone slightly lighter than your natural brow color looks softer and more flattering," she told Parade.

Up Next:

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

Sources:

• Karoline Karakeosian, makeup artist
• Saffron Hughes, makeup artist

Fueling up at gas stations now has more than one meaning. Before Buc-ee's went viral, we've all passed judgment on people braving roller-grill hot dogs and so-called "nachos."

Buc-ee's has become a household name well beyond the South, where its sprawling locations have turned roadside pit stops into destinations unto themselves. The Midwest has its own gas station foodie favorite — and there are so many locations that you don't even have to be on a road trip to find one.

Casey's General Store (more commonly known simply as Casey's) has even earned celebrity backing for its beloved pizza, a fan-favorite alternative to Domino's and other major chains.

The Midwest staple is expanding with 400 new stores over the next 3 years after CEO Darren Rebelez revealed the company is coming off its "best three-year cycle."

Related: World’s ‘Number One’ Restaurant Reopening This Summer with New Menu Every Month

Unlike if Shell suddenly started dishing out pizzas, Casey's already has a legitimate following, including some familiar names who rave about having to grab a slice when they go back home.

Celebrity chef Andrew Zimmernonce declared, "I love gas station food and have tasted three lifetimes' worth throughout my travels, and Casey's pizza rises to the top." He's not alone, either. Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness has called Casey's pizza "the best gas station pizza" and shamelessly admitted they "can't stop thinking about Casey's pizza" after returning to Iowa.

Casey's even reached the White House. Former Vice President Mike Pence was spotted grabbing a slice at Casey's while on the campaign trail, underscoring just how ingrained the chain has become in Midwestern culture, and not just for lunch or dinner. In fact, actress Mila Kunis once raved on Reddit, "they do a delicious breakfast pizza!"

Related: ’70s West Coast Staple Was Just Crowned ‘Best Breakfast’ Spot in California

No matter if you're in little-known Potosi, Missouri or major cities like Des Moines, Casey's is expanding far and wide, including new markets. Better yet, they're branching out beyond pizza. Hundreds of stores now serve boneless and bone-in wings and fries.

"We're famous for our pizza, we still have a long runway for growth there with innovation and new items that we've introduced more recently," Rebelez said. "But now we have the wings platform."

The Lindsay Clancy trial has raised difficult questions about the events leading up to the deaths of her three children—and the role of those around her.

As the defense argues that Clancy was experiencing postpartum psychosis and was not criminally responsible for her actions, some people have questioned why her then-husband, Patrick Clancy, was not investigated as a suspect or whether he could ever face charges.

Parade spoke exclusively with lawyer Margaret McLean, host of The Margaret McLean Show, to get some answers.

"Patrick Clancy has not been charged with child neglect or abuse because investigators found no evidence of a conscious or reckless failure to protect his children," McLean says. "To bring formal criminal child abuse or neglect charges in Massachusetts, the prosecutor must establish probable cause showing that a crime occurred and that the caregiver was responsible. For a parent to be criminally charged with neglect or endangerment resulting in death, the state must prove a reckless disregard for human life or an awareness of an imminent, deadly threat. Because Patrick had no reason to believe his children's lives were in danger at that moment, he lacks the necessary criminal intent or mens rea (meaning guilty mind)."

Lindsay Clancy attends her murder trial at Plymouth Superior Court in Plymouth on July 29, 2026.

David L. Ryan/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

McLean doesn't believe that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts doesn't have any legal grounds to bring criminal charges against Patrick "based on the evidence presented in court."

She highlights that Lindsay was "actively under the care of multiple mental health providers and specialists" and that her then-husband "relied on the assessments of these medical experts, who never instructed him that she could not be left alone with the children."

Related: Read the Transcript of the 911 Call in the Lindsay Clancy Trial

McLean goes on to point out that Lindsay was discharged from McLean Hospital in Belmont, Massachusetts, 19 days before the murders of her three young children—Cora, 5, Dawson, 3, and Callan, 8 months—and if medical experts felt it was "safe" to release her, Patrick "would have a strong argument that as a layperson he could not have known that she could cause harm to herself or others." Moreover, Patrick had "no reason to anticipate violence" given that he recalled that his then-wife was having one of her "best" days before he left the house to run errands.

"Patrick Clancy is one of the Commonwealth’s star witnesses; therefore, they don’t want to alienate or vilify him," McLean continues. "They needed his testimony to build the mandatory legal elements of premeditated murder, utilizing him as their primary chronological and factual anchor. The state’s core theory is that Lindsay planned the killings. Patrick was needed to verify that she sent him out on specific errands, which established that she calculated exactly how long he would be gone, creating the precise window of opportunity she needed to act. He also testified about the murder weapons, exercise bands, which were wrapped around each child’s neck."

As the trial continues, Patrick remains a central figure—but not as a defendant. Instead, his testimony has become a key part of both sides’ arguments as the jury weighs one of the most difficult questions in the case: whether Lindsay's actions were the result of a criminal decision or a devastating mental health crisis.

READ NEXT: Patrick Clancy’s Support ‘Changes the Atmosphere in the Courtroom’ (Exclusive)

Thin Lizzy may have been known for hits like "The Boys Are Back in Town," but their 1977 rock track, "Bad Reputation," marked a shift in the band and became an underrated classic.

Going into the creation of the Bad Reputation album, Thin Lizzy was already facing some trouble as it only included three-quarters of the band. Guitarist Brian Robertson would be absent for a majority of the album due to a hand injury from a fight and even missed most of their previous tour. The album would be his last recording effort with the band.

AgainstPhil Lynott's initial wishes, Robertson was brought back to play on three tracks for the album, and both made it a point not to cross paths during recordings. Bad Reputation was Thin Lizzy's last attempt to make a name for themselves in America after having burned more than a few bridges among executives and concert promoters.

"It was such an important album to us because of all the adversities that we'd been going through," recalled guitarist Scott Gorham. "We had to pull this together or we were going to go down in a ball of flames."

The album landed at No. 39 on the Billboard 200, with "Bad Reputation" having been one of the hidden gems that still holds as a rock staple among fans. It was developed by Gorham, Lynott, and drummer Brian Downey.

"Well, I had the riff down. Phil came up and he says, 'We need to do an off-time thing with this.' He started to work with Brian Downey on that, and that's when they came up with this strange timing that you don't usually associate with Thin Lizzy. I listened to that and went, 'Man, that is so fu--ing cool, it's unbelievable,' and I jumped in on it. Then it kind of developed itself from there," said Gorham to SongFacts.

He added that the song came together quickly as they all worked together and, "As soon as we had that off-timing tag line come in, everything just fell into place, all the harmony guitar work and all that, the lead guitar thing. Phil's idea from it, from the riff itself, he just thought, you know, something along the lines of, 'Man, this could give us a really bad reputation. That's it. That's what we're going to call this song.' And he started writing this song called 'Bad Reputation.'"

While the track was never released as a standalone single and never made it to the charts. It served as the B-side to "Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in Its Spotlight)." Over the years, it would be covered by multiple bands, including Phantom Blue and the Foo Fighters on their Medium Rare album. "Bad Reputation" would also be familiar among gaming fans as it was included in Guitar Hero II and Sleeping Dogs for its intense guitar solos.

Related: 1974 Rock Ballad, Reimagined 37 Years Later, Became a Classic Breakup Anthem

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It’s no secret that flip-flops have permanently secured a spot as a summer staple. Breathable and effortless to wear, they’re an easy choice for warm weather activities. If you’re looking to add some to your closet or refresh your current ones, you should opt for a pair that seamlessly blends style and comfort. The right flip-flops keep you comfortable all day long while complementing both casual and dressy outfits, like these Kuailu Rhinestone Yoga Mat Flip-Flops at Amazon. 

From beach vacations to grocery store runs, these flip-flops are ready to tackle all your summer outings. Right now is the best time to snag them because they’re currently on sale for a limited time. Normally retailing between $23 and $27, these rhinestone flip-flops are now marked down to as low as $15. Prices vary depending on size and style, but they’re all on sale for less than $20! You can score these sandals in 10 colors, including neutrals like black and beige, and vibrant hues like light blue and pink. Sizes range from 5 to 11, and shoppers noted that they fit true to size. 

Kuailu Rhinestone Yoga Mat Flip-Flops, From $15 (was $23) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

Crafted with an ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) midsole, which is the same material yoga mats are made of, these sandals deliver plush comfort. They cushion and cradle your feet, offering a cloud-like feel with every step. Weighing less than 0.5 pounds combined, these flip-flops will keep you light on your feet and should make walking feel like a breeze, whether you’re running errands, sightseeing on vacation, or spending the day at an amusement park.

Attesting to the comfort of these sandals, multiple shoppers noted that they walked over 20,000 steps in them without experiencing any pain or discomfort. Several customers also mentioned that they walked in these sandals all day without any issues like blisters or aches. 

These sandals absorb the impact of your steps, reducing pressure on your feet and joints to help prevent fatigue. They have an orthotic footbed with curved arches and heel cups, supporting the natural shape of your feet. Numerous shoppers raved about the “excellent arch support,” and customers with plantar fasciitis and high arches noted that these were very comfortable for their feet. 

Kuailu Rhinestone Yoga Mat Flip-Flops, From $15 (was $23) at Amazon

Courtesy of Amazon

Shop at Amazon

Fixed with Y-straps, these flip-flops are easy to slide your feet in and out of. While you can put them on in seconds, they’ll hold your feet secure with the snug toe posts and straps that hug the tops of your feet. The outsole is treaded and made of rubber, ensuring traction and stability on all kinds of surfaces to prevent you from slipping. Thanks to the EVA and rubber materials, these sandals are water-resistant, making them ideal for beach and pool days. 

“They are super cute and incredibly comfortable,” one reviewer said. Another customer mentioned that these sandals “feel like you’re walking on pillows.” A third shopper commented that they’re “very supportive and have a very nice bounce.” 

Just as chic as they are comfortable, these sandals have a subtle wedge design. They taper towards the toes, offering the slightest lift without sacrificing comfort or stability. While practical, the straps add a playful and glam accent. Adorned with rhinestones, these flip-flops will add a little touch of luxury and bling to any outfit you pair them with. Shoppers mentioned that they sparkle in the sun. 

The rhinestone accents and wedge construction give these flip-flops an elevated appearance, giving them range. You can style them with casual attire like streetwear and athleisure, and just as easily dress them up with sundresses and trendy vacation ensembles. 

Shop More Deals 

• Kuailu Wedge Flip-Flops, From $28 (was $48) at Amazon
• Kuailu Adjustable Strap Sandals, From $19 (was $31) at Amazon
• Swalker Crystal-Strap Flip-Flops, From $15 (was $30) at Amazon

Related: Shoppers Walked Miles in These Podiatrist-Approved Flip-Flops With ‘Excellent Arch Support’

If you’re looking for a pair of shoes you can slide on without any hesitation as you’re rushing out the door, the Kuailu Rhinestone Yoga Mat Flip-Flops are worth adding to your collection. Don’t hesitate to snag them at Amazon while they’re on sale starting at just $15! 

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One of country music's most celebrated voices is heading back on the road.

Wynonna Judd has announced The Hard Truth Tour, a 15-date North American run supporting her upcoming solo album The Hard Truth, which arrives Oct. 2 via ANTI- Records.

The tour begins Oct. 8 at New York City's Bowery Ballroom before making stops in Houston, Tulsa, St. Louis, Tampa and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, among other cities. Troubadour Blue will join Judd as the special guest on most dates.

Wynonna Judd's 'The Hard Truth Tour' dates

Wynonna Judd

Fans will have their first opportunity to purchase tickets during the Wynation Fan Club presale beginning Aug. 4, with general ticket sales starting Aug. 7. VIP packages will also be available for most shows.

The announcement comes just months after Judd wrapped her acclaimed Raised On Radio co-headlining tour alongside Melissa Etheridge, keeping the Country Music Hall of Famer on the road as she prepares to release her first studio album for ANTI- Records.

"As we were making this record, I kept finding myself thinking about you," Judd said in a statement announcing the tour. "Every song we recorded, every story we told… I couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to stand onstage and share it with you face to face."

She added that The Hard Truth contains "some of the most honest moments I've ever put to music," describing the songs as reflections on "the things that shape us, break us, heal us, and keep us moving forward."

Few artists have remained as influential in country music as Judd. She first rose to fame in the 1980s as one half of The Judds alongside her mother Naomi Judd, earning dozens of hit singles including "Mama He's Crazy," "Why Not Me" and "Grandpa (Tell Me 'Bout the Good Old Days)." After launching a solo career in the early 1990s, she added chart-topping hits such as "No One Else on Earth," "She Is His Only Need" and "To Be Loved by You," cementing her place as one of the defining voices of modern country music.

Her new album marks another milestone in that career. The Hard Truth is the first album Judd has co-written from start to finish, pairing her unmistakable voice with collaborations from acclaimed songwriters and performers including Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers, Iron & Wine and The War and Treaty. The album's first two singles, "Kentucky Queen" and "Am I Missing Out," have already been released.

In addition to the new music, the tour will also support The Only Love Fund through the Music Community Foundation, with $1 from every ticket donated to nonprofits across the country.

With a new album arriving in October and another tour on the calendar, Judd continues to build on a career that has spanned more than four decades, bringing both beloved classics and deeply personal new songs to audiences across North America.

Related: Country Music Legend Calls Meeting Caitlin Clark, Indiana Fever Team 'Absolute Dream'

It’s becoming more and more of a common theme, as Netflix loses another hit show due to licensing deals coming to an end. The latest is the upcoming loss of Orphan Black.

One of the best sci-fi shows on TV is going to be removed from the streaming platform once August comes to an end. On top of that, the streamer is also losing Echoes, the spinoff starring Krysten Ritter, although there’s a little more time to stream that one.

When Will ‘Orphan Black’ Leave Netflix?

All five original seasons of Orphan Black were among the surprise list of AMC titles heading to the streaming giant in 2025. They included the likes of Interview with the Vampire and A Discovery of Witches in an attempt to push more of AMC’s shows.

Each show had a different agreement, and we’ve already seen some of them disappear. Others have gained a new deal, such as Netflix spending $500 million to secure the entire Walking Dead franchise until 2032 in a non-exclusive agreement.

BBC America

Could the same happen with Orphan Black? That remains to be seen. There are sure to be attempts by Netflix to keep it, as the five-season series is classed as one of the best sci-fi shows of all time. It put Tatiana Maslany on the map when it came to actresses to watch, as she took on vastly different roles throughout the run.

However, as for now, Orphan Black will depart Netflix on Sept. 1, 2026. That means Aug. 31 is the last day to binge-watch the show, so you’ll want to start that binge now!

When Will ‘Orphan Black: Echoes’ Leave Netflix?

Also in the lineup to exit the streamer is Orphan Black: Echoes, the spinoff series set years into the future. This series was added to Netflix soon after its AMC+ debut in an attempt to gain more viewers, but it wasn’t a success, and the series was canceled after just one season.

There’s still some time to stream this series, so you’ll want to focus on Orphan Black first. Echoes will exit around Nov. 13, according to What’s on Netflix, so the last day to stream is Nov. 12, 2026.

All this only applies to the U.S. platform. International versions of Netflix work with their own licensing agreements, and Orphan Black hasn’t been available in many international territories since August 2021. You can stream on AMC+ where that platform is available. 

Jake and Romy Reiner were in attendance at the Los Angeles Dodgers game against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, Aug. 2, and had the honor of throwing out the first pitch.

This comes more than seven months after their parents, Rob and Michele Reiner, were murdered in their Los Angeles home on Dec. 14, 2025. Their other son, Nick, was arrested and is charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

Jake and Rob shared a love of baseball and specifically the Dodgers. Rob's love for the game came from his father, Carl Reiner, and he wanted to share that with his son. Jake went on to intern with the Dodgers as a junior broadcaster while he was in high school. He also co-hosts the Dodgers Incline Podcast.

In April, Jake shared a personal essay on Substack where he talked about the passing of his parents as well as their shared love of the Dodgers.

“We loved the Dodgers more than anything. We went to so many damn games. I’ll never go to Dodger Stadium again without feeling my dad’s presence and hearing his voice tell me why Shohei Ohtani should never bat in the leadoff spot," he penned. "When I was little, I would cry my eyes out when the Dodgers would lose a regular season game, and he’d say, “Buddy, you have to realize, at some point, that there are 162 games. It’s going to be alright.” He took me on baseball trips every summer beginning when I was like 11 or 12, and eventually we made it to every ballpark around the majors."

Jake previously made his first public appearance since his parents' tragic passing on June 23 when he attended the premiere of Larry David’s HBO series Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness, where he appears in one episode during the series.

At just 23 seconds long, The Beatles' "Her Majesty" was shorter than most radio commercials, yet finding the right place for it on Abbey Road took more effort than the song itself. Paul McCartney's playful acoustic track was nearly cut from the album, but a tape operator kept it alive by following an important rule. 

McCartney wrote "Her Majesty" while in Scotland, originally planning it as part of the 16-plus-minute medley that fills much of the second half of The Beatles' 11th album.

The sequence begins with "You Never Give Me Your Money" and continues through "Sun King," "Mean Mr. Mustard," "Polythene Pam," "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window," "Golden Slumbers," "Carry That Weight" and "The End."

At Abbey Road Studios, the song was recorded in just three takes on July 2, 1969, with McCartney performing alone on acoustic guitar and vocals. This came shortly before The Beatles recorded "Golden Slumbers" and "Carry That Weight."

The brief acoustic piece was initially placed between "Mean Mr. Mustard" and "Polythene Pam," but McCartney later decided it no longer fit and removed it from the running order.

“We did all the remixes and crossfades to overlap the songs, Paul was there, and we heard it together for the first time,” recalled tape operator John Kurlander, per American Songwriter. “He said, ‘I don’t like ‘Her Majesty,’ throw it away.’”

Instead of getting rid of the recording, Kurlander saved the track. He had learned one important rule while working with The Beatles: never toss anything out.

“I’d been told never to throw anything away, so after he left I picked it up off the floor put about 20 seconds of red leader tape before it, and stuck it onto the end of the edit tape,” Kurlander explained. 

The following day, Apple Records staff member Malcolm Davies cut a playback copy of the album’s final sequence. Despite the note marking “Her Majesty” as unwanted, he left the track at the end of the tape. 

“He too thought, ‘We mustn’t throw anything away, I’ll put it on at the end,’” Kurlander said.

The unexpected ending eventually seemed to win McCartney over. “I’m only assuming this, but when Paul got that lacquer he must have liked hearing ‘Her Majesty’ tacked on the end,” Kurlander said. “The Beatles always picked up on accidental things. It came as a nice little surprise there at the end, and he didn’t mind. We never remixed ‘Her Majesty’ again, that was the mix which ended up on the finished LP.”

Compared with more critical songs about the monarchy, “Her Majesty” took a playful approach to Queen Elizabeth II. McCartney’s brief acoustic number was more of a cheeky love song than a political statement.

After a 14-second silence following “The End,” “Her Majesty” appears as the final sound on Abbey Road. It’s a fittingly lighthearted way to close out the record.

“That was very much how things happened,” McCartney once said. “Really, you know, the whole of our career was like that, so it’s a fitting end.”

The album went on to become one of The Beatles’ biggest successes, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, where it spent 11 weeks at the top, while also topping the U.K. Albums Chart.

Related: 1966 Rock Song, Written by a 15-Year-Old, Is Still a Powerful Hit 60 Years Later

The search for Nancy Guthrie has entered a critical phase.

Six months after Savannah Guthrie’s mother, 84, disappeared from her Arizona home, investigators continue working to uncover what happened. While the case has remained without a major public breakthrough, experts say history shows that missing person investigations can change quickly when new information, evidence or a single crucial tip emerges.

On Monday, Aug. 3, NBC's national law and intelligence correspondent Tom Winter discussed the Pima County Sheriff's decision to release the ransom note that was sent to media outlets in the early days of the investigation.

"I think it underscores two things in speaking with people in law enforcement, the first is just how seriously they're taking these notes and the attention that they've put on them has only increased over time," Winter said on Today. "And we've heard it from Savannah [Guthrie] herself, that they do believe that there is something serious to these and that they are very much worthy of the investigation's consideration."

"It also underscores something else. Would you be putting these notes out if they were keying in on a suspect, if they were searching an area? I think it tells us a lot about where this investigation has been up to this point, which is very difficult. They don't have a suspect, they are looking for the public's help, and that's the reason why they're putting this information out, to see if maybe somebody recognizes something in these notes that can get them closer to it," he added.

"There's precedent for this, of course. It was done in the Unabomber investigation, quite successfully. It led to a family member, through their attorney, contacting the FBI that led to a break in that case," Winter continued, referring to Ted Kaczynski, who was arrested back in 1996. At the time, it was Kaczynski's brother who recognized his writing style in a published manifesto.

With the official release of the ransom note, Winter noted that history shows how seemingly small pieces of information can become significant when they reach the right person. For now, the Pima County Sheriff's Department and FBI continue to urge anyone with information about Guthrie's disappearance to come forward as they work to find answers.

READ NEXT: Reporter Believes Something ‘Significant’ Is Coming Amid Major Twist in Nancy Guthrie Case

The first chords of "Shine" or "December" still snap many fans (of a certain ago) back to a mid-'90s summer. That muscle memory is exactly why Collective Soul's newest record is such a jolt for the people who grew up on them.

Touch and Go, which arrived on streaming services on July 31 after a limited Record Store Day pressing in April, is not the crunchy, guitar-forward rock the Georgia band built its name on. It is a full pivot into New Wave, shaped in the image of The Cars. The album's title itself is a nod to that group, whose fingerprints run through all ten tracks.

Ed Roland has been open about the swerve. Speaking with Ultimate Classic Rock, the frontman described a record laced with deliberate callbacks, inviting longtime fans to pick out the guitar lines, keyboards and vocals that echo the band behind "Just What I Needed" and "Good Times Roll." It is a striking turn for a group long filed under post-grunge, which early reviews have noticed. One assessment of the album singled out how closely Roland's vocals sound like the late Ric Ocasek's.

Fans have followed the band for decades: brothers Ed and Dean Roland, bassist Will Turpin, guitarist Jesse Triplett and drummer Johnny Rabb. Since forming in Stockbridge, Georgia, in 1992, Collective Soul turned a run of radio staples like "December," "The World I Know" and "Gel" into multi-platinum success, then kept working long after the '90s alt-rock wave receded. Touch and Go is one more entry in a catalog that now spans more than a dozen studio albums.

Related: R.E.M. Frontman Debuts New Song From His First-Ever Solo Album

The experiment reflects how the group operates now, a year after the release of the first documentary about their career. Roland told Ultimate Classic Rock that the New Wave detour was a passion project, and that a straight-ahead rock record is already in the works for a future release. That restlessness was there from the start of the rollout, when the band first unveiled the album as a colored-vinyl exclusive built for fans who still value the physicality of holding a record.

For an audience that came of age with "The World I Know" on constant rotation, the draw is twofold. There is the comfort of a familiar band still making music together three decades on, and the curiosity of hearing them sound like the era just before their own. Songs like "Rainbow" and "Eye on You" will likely sound unfamiliar to longtime fans. But it should be fun.

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The moment a scheming shapeshifter becomes the dark lord every Tolkien reader already dreads has been building since this series began. Season 3 of Prime Video's Middle-earth saga finally reaches it, and the studio picked the biggest geek-related stage of the year to show fans exactly how it happens.

During the show's Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con, before a crowd of more than 6,500, Prime Video debuted the first Season 3 teaser. The trailer confirmed a November 11 premiere for the opening four episodes, with the rest of the season rolling out through November 25. It also set a noticeably darker tone, centered on the event the whole saga has pointed toward: Sauron forging the One Ring.

The panel's biggest surprise arrived in a featurette on the season's creatures. The Balrog, the fiery demon best known for blocking Gandalf's path in The Fellowship of the Ring, will speak for the first time in the series, voiced by Simon Pegg. In the story, Sauron learns how to forge the One Ring from the Balrog itself. The showrunners described the creature as an "intelligent dangerous adversary" and said they wanted to give it a scene opposite Sauron.

Prime Video also unveiled a wave of new cast members. Stranger Things star Jamie Campbell Bower joins as Celeborn, Galadriel's long-lost love and, in Tolkien's writing, her husband. Eddie Marsan plays the dwarven royal Thrain, Andrew Richardson plays Anarion, Zubin Varla plays the Ringwraith Khamûl the Easterling, and Adam Young plays an original orc named Marnûkh. The trailer opens in the blackened wastes of Mordor, where Sauron, played by Charlie Vickers, declares "Now, is the mighty hour come" as molten metal fills a familiar ring-shaped mold. The teaser then shifts to a warmer image of Galadriel, played by Morfydd Clark, dancing with Celeborn, a rare bright moment against the season's grim backdrop.

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Midway through the panel, a group of armored Nazgûl, the early Second Age forerunners of the Ringwraiths, marched onstage through smoke and lights, moments after Vickers joked about whether he had the One Ring on him. Payne and McKay also teased that some orcs would get hero arcs this season, a hint at the show's willingness to complicate Tolkien's traditional villains.

The stakes feel higher this time because the audience knows where the story is headed. Season 3 leans into the pieces of Middle-earth lore that longtime fans already know, from the birth of the Ringwraiths to the ring that will one day consume Frodo. Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay return, with the season built to draw the show closer to the events of Peter Jackson's films.

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The Charlie Daniels Band was known for combining blues, rock, country, and jazz into their hits, with "Long Haired Country Boy" having been a standout track that went through some changes after its release.

Released first as part of their 1974 album Fire on the Mountain, the track later found resurgence when it was released as a single in 1975. Critics praised its "fine lyrics," and it landed at No. 56 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. A few years later, it would be re-released in 1980 and land on Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks at No. 27.

"Long Haired Country Boy" was originally released with different lyrics that singer-songwriter Charlie Daniels later felt didn't speak to him anymore. The track focuses on a very passive attitude man who does nothing all day. It was a tongue-in-cheek track that referenced drugs and alcohol. Daniels told SongFacts that the song wasn't particularly about a personal experience, but about how he felt at the time as a musician.

"If you don't like me, we don't need to have any trouble, we don't need to be going upside each other's head or anything," he told Songfacts. "Just leave me alone. Just walk around me. Maybe you don't like the way my hair looks, maybe you don't like the way I eat my soup, or whatever it is that you don't like about me, it doesn't make any difference to me. I don't care. If you don't like me it's okay," he explained.

He went on to add that there's no need to cause problems if you disagree with someone's way of life. It's a track about coexisting despite differences. The rocker recalls having written the track while he was sitting down in his kitchen and his wife was busy doing something. He started developing the track on his guitar when he asked her how it sounded.

"Long Haired Country Boy" would become a live show staple for Daniels and the band, but after some time, he felt its lyrics no longer reflected who he was.

"Things have gotten so serious, and it's such a big problem with drugs and alcohol with kids, and it just went against my Christian feelings to actually do anything that somebody could construe as promoting that lifestyle, or those things, the alcohol and drugs," explained Daniels.

Daniels explains that the track was so popular among fans and at their concerts that he made a decision. "I changed 'I get stoned in the morning, I get drunk in the afternoon' to 'I get up in the morning, I get down in the afternoon,' which means the same thing. I wish I had done that to start with," he said.

Related: 1978 Rock Song, Inspired by a Famous Model, Is Still a Roadtrip Hit 48 Years Later

Some songs take months, or even years, to write. The Manhattans' biggest hit came together in just one night.

Released in 1976, "Kiss and Say Goodbye" became the vocal group's signature song after songwriter and bassist Winfred "Blue" Lovett penned it overnight. Fifty years ago today, the soulful ballad reached the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot 100, cementing its place as one of the defining love songs of the decade.

Lovett had originally written the song years earlier but struggled to finish it.

Inspiration finally struck one evening, and he completed the remaining lyrics and melody in a single night.

"Back then I was into listening a lot to country things," Lovett later recalled in an interview. "Lionel Richie jumped the gun on me, but I had been listening for three or four years. I liked a lot of things Glen Campbell was doing... and Charley Pride."

The finished song centered on a bittersweet farewell between two lovers, telling the story with remarkable honesty and emotional restraint rather than anger or resentment.

The recording immediately stood out.

Opening with spoken dialogue before giving way to lead singer Gerald Alston's heartfelt vocal performance, "Kiss and Say Goodbye" blended lush orchestration with smooth harmonies that became synonymous with the Philadelphia soul sound of the era. Its emotional sincerity resonated with audiences across musical genres.

The song quickly became an international phenomenon.

Released as the lead single from The Manhattans, it climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and also topped the Hot Soul Singles chart. Beyond the United States, "Kiss and Say Goodbye" reached No. 1 in several countries, making it one of the biggest-selling singles of 1976 and introducing The Manhattans to a worldwide audience.

"We liked 'Kiss and Say Goodbye,' but didn't think it was for us," Alston told Goldmine. "Blue Lovett, from our group, wrote it, I think for Mac Davis, who was also on Columbia with us, but the people at the record company decided that they wanted us to record it. So we recorded it and I never put my planned final vocal on 'Kiss and Say Goodbye.' I put a scratch vocal on it for the background, but it goes to show you that the feeling that you have when you first do a song, a lot of times, is the right feeling. We didn't think we wanted it, but it turned out to be a perfect song. It went platinum because of the story and the feelings that we projected when we sang it."

Its popularity has endured for decades.

The ballad has been covered by numerous artists, sampled by contemporary musicians, and remains a staple of classic R&B and oldies radio. Its timeless message and unforgettable melody have helped it become one of the most recognizable soul recordings ever made.

"The Manhattans as a group will be celebrating 54 years in existence and it's the type of songs we sing that people love to hear," Alston told Spectrum News in 2016. "The songs that we recorded 30 years ago sound just as good today as they did yesterday."

Fifty years after reaching No. 1, "Kiss and Say Goodbye" continues to resonate with listeners around the world. What Winfred "Blue" Lovett completed overnight ultimately became The Manhattans' defining hit, a classic that has never lost its emotional power.

Related: 1976 Rock Song, With 19-Year-Old Singer, Is Still a Powerful Hit 50 Years Later

Jenna von Oy, who rose to fame as Six on Blossom, just made a rare public appearance.

von Oy, 49, catapulted to stardom in the role of Six, the best friend of Mayim Bialik on Blossom, the hit '90s sitcom about a young woman living with her single dad and two brothers. The series was a staple of the decade, providing various "very special episodes" and comedic moments for viewers. After the series ended in 1995, von Oy went off to college for a couple of years before returning to acting roles. But these days, the star only occasionally hits the TV screen. That's why it was a surprise to see von Oy hitting the convention circuit this weekend.

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Reflecting On Their Blossom Years

Back in 2017, Bialik and von Oÿ reunited and opened up about how special the series was.

“We were awkward,” Bialik told Entertainment Weekly. “And—”

“We represented your typical adolescent teenager,” added von Oÿ, “who hasn’t found themselves yet. And that was a beautiful thing.”

“We got to kiss boys and also study hard and be proud of that,” said Bialik. “Or be with our families and also have a social life.”

Blossom creator Don Reo noted that the stars' approachability was one of the most successful components of the show.

“Mayim looked like the audience, and so did Jenna,” said Reo. “They weren’t cookie-cutter, perfect, little, blonde Disney creatures. I think that was a big part of it. They were relatable, and the stories were relatable.”

von Oy's Talent For Fast Talk

As the chaotic best friend to level-headed Blossom Russo, Six often found herself in trouble on the hit sitcom. But in various scenes, von Oy had the opportunity to show off her skills when she spoke at warp speed. Check out a memorable scene below when Six gets busted for stealing after she and Blossom host a yard sale where the police show up and arrest them for selling stolen property.

Related: From 'Blossom' to 'Big Bang Theory' to 'Jeopardy!'—Inside Mayim Bialik's Net Worth in 2026

One of the biggest decisions anyone can make is how to best represent their loved ones when it's time to say goodbye.

No pun intended, but Frank Sinatra wanted to 'say goodbye' to one of his top hits after performing it night after night, once ranting to a Caesars Palace crowd, "I hate this song — you sing it for eight years, you would hate it too!"

His fans, however, never fell out of love with it. That song, of course, is "My Way," which now ranks ahead of "Amazing Grace" as one of the most requested funeral songs in 2026, according to public data across the UK, US, Australia, Ireland, and Canada.

Of course, there may be a little tongue-in-cheek humor behind the choice. "My Way" celebrates someone who marched to the beat of their own drum, whether anyone else liked it or not, making it a fitting sendoff for those who truly lived life on their own terms — or a playful farewell from loved ones who'd probably agree they always did things their way.

The powerful ballad was written in 1968, becoming a major hit the following year. It has unquestionably stood the test of time.

Its origin story is just as memorable.

Originally composed as the French song "Comme d'habitude," Paul Anka gave it an entirely new identity after Sinatra casually mentioned over dinner that he was thinking about retiring. Anka later rewrote the lyrics as though they were Sinatra's own life story.

Long story short, it's been estimated to have been performed well over 4 million times since its 1969 release, per CBS News.

That later became somewhat ironic, as Sinatra eventually grew tired of performing it. Even so, it became one of his biggest hits, reaching No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 despite the charts shifting toward rock and soul, and holds the most weeks ever spent on the UK singles chart, at 124 weeks.

Still popular more than five decades later, it's now the second most requested song played at funerals, sitting behind "Abide with Me," an 1800s hymn, and ahead of "Amazing Grace," the beloved 18th-century hymn written by John Newton.

Sinatra last played "My Way" live in 1994 in Japan, which can been enjoyed in full below:

At just 15 years old, Graham Gouldman wrote "Bus Stop," the 1966 hit that would help establish The Hollies as one of the British Invasion's biggest bands. It was one of several successful songs Gouldman wrote as a teenager, with artists including The Yardbirds and Herman's Hermits also recording his material. 

As word spread about Gouldman's songwriting, his growing list of hits included The Yardbirds' "For Your Love" and "Heart Full of Soul," Herman's Hermits' "No Milk Today" and "Listen People," and The Hollies' "Bus Stop."

During the day, Gouldman worked in a Manchester menswear shop, but at night he was a guitarist in The Mockingbirds. The Beatles inspired him to try songwriting, and after Columbia Records signed the band, his songs soon found their way to other artists.

Gouldman got the idea for "Bus Stop" during his daily commute. He regularly rode Manchester's No. 95 bus route, and the scenes along the way provided the setting for the song. 

After sharing the concept with his father, Gouldman was given the song's opening lyric: “Bus stop, wet day, she's there, I say, please share my umbrella.” 

Once he had that starting point, Gouldman knew he had found the direction for the song. Speaking with BBC Wales' Alan Thompson in 2015, he explained, “When you have such a great start to a song, it's kind of like the rest is easy. It's like finding your way onto a road, and when you get onto the right route, you just follow it.”

On his next bus ride to work, Gouldman found another piece of the song coming to him. Speaking with Mojo magazine in 2011, he said that most songs take patience, but every so often, everything comes together at once. 

“When I’d written most of ‘Bus Stop,’ I was actually on a bus thinking about how the middle eight should go. And this whole, Every morning I would see her waiting at the stop / Sometimes she’d shop … that all came to me in one gush, and I couldn’t wait to get home to try it. When that sort of thing happens, it’s really amazing. But that’s rare. Mostly, you have to do the slog.”

The Hollies eventually heard Gouldman’s songs through a meeting arranged with the teenage songwriter. In his 2014 memoir Wild Tales: A Rock & Roll Life, Graham Nash recalled that the band wasn't expecting much. 

“We got a call from our old friend and manager, Michael Cohen. … So we go over to the address he gave us, a semidetached house in one of the better neighborhoods in Manchester, to meet this so-called songwriter, a fifteen-year-old Jewish kid named Graham Gouldman.”

Nash admitted the group planned to put the young songwriter to the test. “Now, we’re the Hollies, and we know we’re the Hollies, so we’re not going to make it easy on him, kid or no kid.”

“I threw Mr. Songwriter one of my best stony stares and said, ‘Okay, kid, give it your best shot.’ He picked up an acoustic guitar and started playing ‘Bus Stop.’ … Tony [Hicks], Allan [Clarke], and I are cutting glances at each other, and … we know this is a hit song. We know what we can do with it, too, putting a Hollies spin on the tune.”

Before leaving, Nash asked if Gouldman had written anything else. “Before the words were out of my mouth, he started singing, ‘Look through any window, yeah, what do you see?’ We just stopped and stared.”

By the end of the visit, the group had found not one, but two songs they knew they wanted. 

When The Hollies released "Bus Stop" in 1966, the song quickly became one of their biggest hits. It topped the charts in Canada and Australia, while reaching No. 5 on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. singles chart. The success also added to Gouldman's reputation as one of Britain's standout songwriters. 

Related: 1987 Breakthrough Hit, With 16-Year-Old Singer, Became a Defining Song of a Generation

The memories of classic Disney films and shows have left a lasting impression on generations of fans. To celebrate milestones of beloved stories hitting a quarter-century to 85 years of magic, The Disney Store and D23 Marketplace are unwrapping Fanniversary Frenzy, a new collection of decade-spanning memorabilia set to debut at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event later this month.

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Parade has the exclusive first look at the 10 collections that make up Fanniversary Frenzy, which feature anniversary merch for Disney animation icons, as well as Disney Royalty, including Beauty and the Beast and The Princess Diaries. From apparel to mouse ears and limited-edition dolls, so many items from this drop deserve a spot on Disney Adult shelves and closets.

Courtesy of: Disney Store

Disney Store

The Fanniversary Frenzy line-up of apparel, accessories, dolls, plush, and collectibles will debut at D23 Marketplace from August 14–16 in Anaheim, California. Attendees will be the first to shop from a limited selection on the show floor before select items are released to the public through the Disney Store online.

The pantheon of Disney goods celebrates stories that stretch back to animated classics like Alice in Wonderland, which has now had 75 real birthdays, and modern releases such as Atlantis: The Lost Empire, as it reaches 25 years of being a cult favorite. Here are the rest of the drops and a first look at a selection of products.

Courtesy of Disney Store

• Beauty and the Beast 35th Anniversary Collection
• Alice in Wonderland 75th Anniversary Collection
• The Princess Diaries 25th Anniversary Collection

Courtesy of Disney Store

• Dumbo 85th Anniversary Collection
• Atlantis: The Lost Empire 25th Anniversary Collection

Courtesy of Disney Store

The Disney Store

• 101 Dalmatians 65th Anniversary Collection
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame 30th Anniversary Collection

Courtesy of Disney Store

• Darkwing Duck 35th Anniversary Collection
• The Fox and the Hound 45th Anniversary Collection
• The Muppet Show 50th Anniversary Collection

Courtesy of Disney Store

It's so neat and nostalgic that each collection offers ways for fans to express their love for Disney and how it shaped their childhoods, while also being ways to pass down these stories to the next generation.

If you're going to D23, the first opportunity to shop the full Fanniversary Frenzy release will be a featured area at the D23 Marketplace. Plus, the Alice in Wonderland and Hunchback of Notre Dame products will get a special release during D23 Day at Disneyland.

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For everyone else who can't make the show floor, you won't have to wait too long, as select collections will begin to find their way online through the DisneyStore.com beginning August 17, with the online drop starting at 8 AM PT.