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You won't find today's NYT Strands puzzle anywhere else. Move over, Wordle, Connections, Connections Sports Edition, and Mini Crossword—there’s a new NYT word game in town! The New York Times' recent game, "Strands," is becoming increasingly popular as another daily activity fans can find on the NYT website and app.

With daily themes and "spangrams" to discover, this is the latest addictive game to cross off your to-do list before a new one pops up 24 hours later.

We'll cover exactly how to play Strands, hints for today's Spangram, and all of the answers for Strands #883 on Monday, August 3.

How to Play Strands

The New York Times

According to the New York Times, here's exactly how to play Strands:

Find theme words to fill the board.

• Theme words stay highlighted in blue when found.
• Drag or tap letters to create words. If tapping, double-tap the last letter to submit.
• Theme words fill the board entirely. No theme words overlap.

Find the “spangram.”

• The spangram describes the puzzle's theme and touches two opposite sides of the board. It may be two words.
• The spangram highlights in yellow when found.
• An example spangram with corresponding theme words: PEAR, FRUIT, BANANA, APPLE, etc.

Need a hint?

• Find non-theme words to get hints.
• For every three non-theme words you find, you earn a hint.
• Hints show the letters of a theme word. If there is already an active hint on the board, a hint will show that word's letter order.

What Is Today's Strands Hint for the Theme: "There's nothing like it"

If that doesn't help, here's a hint for today's Strands game: One of one.

What Are Today's NYT Strands Hints?

Warning: Spoilers ahead!

In today's puzzle, there are seven theme words to find (including the spangram). Here are the first two letters for each word:

• SI
• ON
• UN
• SO
• SP
• EX
• ON (SPANGRAM)

NYT Strands Spangram Hint: Is It Vertical or Horizontal?

Today's Spangram is mostly horizontal.

NYT Strands Spangram Answer for August 3

Today's Spangram answer on Today's NYT 'Strands' Hints, Spangram and Answers for Monday, August 3, 2026, isONEOFAKIND.

What Are Today's NYT Strands Answers, Word List for Monday, August 3?

• SINGULAR
• ONLY
• UNIQUE
• SOLE
• SPECIAL
• EXCLUSIVE
• SPANGRAM: ONEOFAKIND

Related: 5 'Outdated' Cooking Rules Your Grandmother Swore By That Chefs Actually Still Use Today

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Platform sandals are ready to tackle all your summer outings. They offer the same comfort as sneakers while allowing your feet to breathe, and lengthen your legs like heels would without compromising comfort. If you’re looking for a pair that you can wear to the beach and just as easily run errands in, the Crocs Baya Platform Slide Sandals are definitely worth checking out. 

There’s no better time than right now to snag these Crocs platform sandals because they’re currently on sale at Walmart! Normally retailing for $45, they’re now marked down to just $30. These sandals are available in six styles, including five solid colors that are on sale (barely pink, black, chai, hot blush, and white). Sizes range from 4 to 12, and shoppers noted they fit true to size. 

Crocs Baya Platform Slide Sandals, $30 (were $45) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

These sandals are an elevated take on Crocs’ iconic Baya Clogs. They’re entirely made from the same foam that’ll cushion your feet with every step. With a 1.2-inch platform, they offer even more cushioning compared to the average slides. They’ll give you a bit of height without sacrificing stability or comfort. While they have a chunky appearance, the foam is very lightweight. They’re ideal for all-day wear as they won’t weigh you down. 

Designed to prevent your feet from fatigue, these sandals will absorb the impact of your steps and take pressure off your joints. The foam is flexible, so it follows the natural movements of your feet. Additionally, several shoppers raved about how they provide great arch support and deliver lasting comfort. One reviewer said these sandals felt “like walking on air,” and a second customer added that the soles were “thick and bouncy.” A third customer called them “the most supportive and comfortable shoes ever.” 

Attesting to their comfort, a reviewer mentioned that they were able to easily wear these sandals for five days straight through the Disney parks. Another customer said that they walked 10,000 steps with these sandals and didn’t experience any pain! 

Crocs Baya Platform Slide Sandals, $30 (were $45) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Thanks to their open design, you can slip into these sandals in just seconds. They boast two wide straps on top that’ll securely hold your feet in place. The footbeds are completely plastered with rounded nubs that provide traction, which also prevent your feet from sliding out. 

The straps double as playful and decorative accents. One strap features a cutout of the Crocs logo while the other is equipped with three holes, where you can insert Jibbitz (charms that are designed to fit in any Crocs shoes). Jibbitz are a great way to show off your personality and add some fun accents to your shoes. If you want to decorate your sandals, you can check out a few options here! 

These sandals are waterproof, making them ideal for beach and pool days. Shoppers said that they’re a “perfect addition to any summer outfit” and called them a “summer must-have.”

They’re also odor-resistant, so they’ll stay in pristine condition even if your feet get sweaty. If you ever want to clean them, all you need is some soap and water! 

Related: Paris Hilton’s ‘Luxurious’ Floral Comforter Set Nails the LoveShackFancy Aesthetic for Just $40

If you’re looking for a pair of shoes to throw into your daily wardrobe rotation, don’t hesitate to grab the Crocs Baya Platform Slide Sandals while they’re on sale at Walmart for just $30! 

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Rush’s “Tom Sawyer,” the 1981 rock classic from the album Moving Pictures, never reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

Despite that, the song remains one of the Canadian band’s most famous recordings and was ranked No. 9 on Collider’s list of “The 10 Greatest Classic Rock Songs That Were Never No. 1 Hits.”

The song reached No. 44 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart. In Canada, it peaked at No. 24. Those numbers did not put “Tom Sawyer” at the top of the mainstream charts, but the song went on to become a major part of classic rock radio and Rush’s identity.

Released as the opening track of Moving Pictures in 1981, “Tom Sawyer” brought together Rush members Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson and Neil Peart with lyricist Pye Dubois of Max Webster.

The song’s unusual structure helped make it stand out. It features a shifting 7/8 time signature, prominent synthesizers, a complex progressive rock arrangement and Neil Peart’s highly regarded drumming. Those elements also made the song less typical of the radio-friendly rock songs that dominated the charts at the time.

‘Tom Sawyer’ Became a Defining Rush Song

“Tom Sawyer” was created during a period when Rush was changing its sound, according to Songfacts. After years of making progressive rock with long and complex songs, the band had started writing tighter material that could work better on radio.

The song began with a poem called “Louis the Warrior,” written by Pye Dubois. Peart reworked the lyrics and added his own ideas, including themes about individuality, growing from boyhood into adulthood and the difference between how people see themselves and how others see them.

The song was loosely connected to Mark Twain’s 1876 novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Its central character became a model for the song’s ideas about rebellion, independence and adventure.

Alex Lifeson later recalled that the song’s guitar solo was built from several takes. “I winged it. Honest!” he said in a 2007 interview. “I came in, did five takes, then went off and had a cigarette.”

The song has also appeared in movies and television shows, including The Sopranos, Family Guy, Freaks and Geeks, Fringe, I Love You, Man and The Waterboy. It was also featured in an episode of Futurama and played an important role in the 2008 episode of Chuck titled “Chuck Versus Tom Sawyer.”

Its place in Rush’s legacy was clear again in 2026. During the band’s Fifty Something tour, “Tom Sawyer” remained part of the setlist. At a Madison Square Garden performance, the song featured a drum solo by Anika Nilles, who joined Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson for Rush’s new touring lineup, per Forbes.

More than four decades after its release, “Tom Sawyer” shows why chart position does not always define a rock song’s lasting impact.

Related: 1978 Rock Song, Originally a Flop by Beloved Rock Band, Is Still a Hit 48 Years Later

In the summer of 1987, Debbie Gibson’s “Only In My Dreams” became the soundtrack to a generation. The catchy pop hit filled radios across America, introducing a teenage songwriter who redefined what young artists could achieve. 

At just 16 years old and still in high school, Gibson had written her own pop hit and was on her way to becoming one of the youngest singer-songwriters to break through on the charts. 

In the Eighties, teenage stars were common, but teenage artists writing and performing their own hits were not. 

“During that era, the music industry had no idea what to do with a teenage girl,” Gibson wrote in her memoir Eternally Electric: The Message In My Music. “Sure, before I came along, Brenda Lee was 12 when she had her first hit. Marie Osmond was 14, Lulu was 15, and Leslie Gore was 16, but none of them were writing their own hits, and there was nobody I modeled myself on.”

Gibson proved that difference with “Only In My Dreams,” the self-composed debut single that would eventually reach No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. 

The track began as a demo Gibson recorded at home, but producer Fred Zarr helped elevate it into the sound that introduced her to millions of listeners. 

“Fred Zarr, who produced and co-produced all those hits with me, he took what I was doing in my garage on the four-track and elevated it to what you heard on the radio,” Gibson told Rhino in 2014. “He really helped facilitate my vision, fine-tune it, and elevate it, so I really hold him responsible for that sound.”

“Only In My Dreams” took time to catch on. Released in December 1986, the song spent more than a year climbing the charts, proving that Gibson’s success didn’t happen overnight.  

“’[The song] came out and everyone went, ‘She’s an overnight sensation,’ and meanwhile it was actually 65 weeks after its release that it went (to #4),” Gibson told Popdose in 2012. “And it was 65 weeks of pounding the pavement and shaking every radio program director’s hand around the country and singing at every free radio event and you really had to show up.”

The song’s slow climb continued overseas. In the U.K., “Only In My Dreams” initially struggled to find an audience and missed the Top 50. But after Gibson’s follow-up single “Shake Your Love” became a Top 10 hit there, listeners revisited her debut and gave the song another chance.

That kind of gradual success shows just how much the music industry has changed. Before social media and streaming, artists had to grow their fan bases slowly through radio and live performances. 

“Now, I think that artists do more select dates and they do the big awards shows and again, with the power of YouTube, things [just happen so much faster],” she said. 

“In a day, one performance can spread like wildfire, whereas it used to be that when you did a live performance, it was just live, it was just a moment in time for those people that were in the audience and no one else ever saw it.”

“Only In My Dreams” was just the beginning of Gibson’s chart success. The song became the first of five Top Five Billboard Hot 100 hits, including the No. 1 singles “Foolish Beat” and “Lost In Your Eyes.” 

Related: 1968 Rock Song, Written in 30 Minutes as a Joke, Became an Unforgettable Hit

Today's New York Times Connections puzzle has nothing to do with popular bands from the late 90s, which might bug you, but if you take the road less traveled, you'll solve it in no time.

There's nothing quite as exhilarating as the feeling of completing the daily New York Times Wordle, Strands, Mini Crossword and Connections Sports Edition word games in one fell swoop. But sometimes that can be easier said than done. If you need help with today's Connections puzzle, keep reading.

Spoilers ahead! We've warned you. We mean it. Read no further until you really want some clues or you've completely given up and want the answers ASAP. Get ready for all of today's NYT 'Connections’ hints and answers for #1149 on Monday, August 3, 2026.

Today's NYT Connections Puzzle for Monday, August 3, 2026 / New York Times

The New York Times

If you've been having trouble with any of the connections or words in Monday's puzzle, you're not alone, and these hints should definitely help you out. Plus, I'll reveal the answers further down.

Related: The 26 Funniest NYT Connections Game Memes You'll Appreciate if You Do This Daily Word Puzzle

Hints About Today's NYT Connections Categories on Monday, August 3

1. It's usually less crowded.
2. Varying degrees of verdigris.
3. And sometimes...
4. Incessantly annoying.

Related: 300 Trivia Questions and Answers to Jumpstart Your Fun Game Night

Ready for the answers? Scroll below this image (the image that represents your very appreciated patience!).

iStock

Today's Connections Game Answers for Monday, August 3:

1. ROAD LESS TRAVELED: ALLEY, BACKSTREET, BYWAY, LANE
2. SHADES OF GREEN: FOREST, HUNTER, MINT, SAGE
3. "Y" IS THE ONLY VOWEL: FLY BY, MYRRH, NSYNC, RHYTHM
4. STARTING WITH SYNONYMS FOR "PESTER": BUG FIX, NAG CHAMPA, NEEDLESS, TEA SET

How'd you do?

Up Next:

- 15 Fun Games Like Connections to Play Every Day
- Hints, Clues and Answers to the NYT's 'Mini Crossword' Puzzle

Did You Miss a Few Days? Let's Catch You Up With Recent Connections Answers

Related: Cookie Lovers, Don't Miss These National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day Deals

Fruits are a dish best served cold.

This summer has been quite the scorcher, in case you haven't been outside. So, keeping an assortment of juicy, refreshing snacks in your fridge is always helpful.

Trader Joe's is reliably helpful in this regard — and on top of all its usual produce offerings, the beloved grocer recently added a seasonal fruit that's being described online as both "phenomenal" and "wonderful."

We're all familiar with plain old plums — which are delectable, by the way — but what about Strawberry Plums? Shoppers have spotted 1-pound containers at their local Trader Joe's and are stocking up before the season ends.

Check out the Instagram post below to familiarize yourself with the packaging before heading out to snag some for yourself.

View this post on Instagram

A Trader Joe's Reddit thread recently launched in honor of the Strawberry Plum. "I'm obsessed," one user commented, while another Redditor wrote, "Bought some from an international market, they're like candy, and I LOVE candy. So good, my family is fighting over the last one 😂."

Someone in the thread also confirmed that the plums "are NOT a strawberry-plum hybrid. They’re just a specific strain of plum. Anyone who tells you the word 'hybrid' doesn’t know what they’re talking about!"

Allrecipes reports that the specialty variety has a strawberry-colored flesh and interior. In terms of flavor, it's said to be very sweet and supposed to taste faintly of strawberries, too. But you be the judge!

Clearing Out a Shelf — But Why?

In other Trader Joe's news, some former employees recently spoke out about an infamous shopping trend — where individuals tend to clear out an entire shelf's worth of a single product. The ex-workers reportedly argue how it’s unfair to other shoppers and creates unnecessary strain on store operations.

The practice has even been described as one of the “biggest etiquette violations in grocery shopping.” Yikes, that’s not you, is it? Find out more here.

It’s been six months since Savannah Guthrie’s mother, Nancy, was kidnapped from her home in Tucson, Arizona. While Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos continues the investigation, The Wall Street Journal published an article on Saturday evening revealing that some mistakes were made in the case.

The article details the investigation, beginning with Nancy’s abduction on Feb. 1 and ending with Savannah’s recent heartfelt plea, “Tell us where to look for her.” The article revealed that “the case had trouble from the start.”

Two months before Nancy was kidnapped, Sgt. David Stivers, now the lead homicide detective on the case, was reprimanded for “poor judgment” and blamed for delays in “securing crime-scene evidence in a homicide case,” WSJ revealed.

When Stivers and his detectives arrived at Nancy’s home, “for hours, they gave little regard to the dried blood on the front porch,” people familiar with the investigation said to the WSJ.

“They failed to seal off the property with police tape to protect sensitive crime-scene evidence, allowing reporters, livestreamers, and Amazon and pizza delivery drivers entry to the porch,” WSJ found. “Investigators spent precious hours deciding whether Nancy was kidnapped or lost. A search-and-rescue plane sat grounded until dusk, awaiting a deputy trained to operate its sophisticated surveillance system.”

In an interview with Nanos, WSJ said that he, at points, “contradicted statements he had made during past news conferences.”

“I can assure everybody that we are working hard every day with all of our partners,” Nanos said, saying that “corporate America” has also offered up assistance “with some of the brightest minds in this country.”

Nanos continued, saying that “This case is not cold.”

WSJ attempted to secure an interview with Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel, but the FBI declined to make him available.

“The state is the lead in this investigation, has always been the lead,” an FBI spokesperson said in a statement, WSJ reported.

As the search continues, anyone with information is asked to call the FBI tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department tip line at 520-351-4900, or 911.

Dire Straits' "Sultans of Swing" has remained one of the band's best-known songs for nearly five decades, and its latest chart activity shows that listeners are still finding it in the streaming era.

The song was first released in May 1978 and did not chart at the time. It was reissued in January 1979, when it began its climb in the United States and later reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. In the United Kingdom, it eventually reached No. 8.

Nearly 48 years after its original release, "Sultans of Swing" was still showing new life on the charts. In 2025, it returned to the U.K. Singles Chart and reached No. 41, according to chart data. It also appeared on several international charts.

Dire Straits members Mark Knopfler and Phil Palmer performing live onstage.

Photo by Mick Hutson/Redferns

The song's modern revival has also reached streaming. In April 2025, "Sultans of Swing" entered the U.K.'s Official Streaming Chart at No. 83, marking the first time Dire Straits had appeared on that streaming-only ranking, per Forbes. At the same time, the band's Private Investigations: The Best of Dire Straits & Mark Knopfler was climbing the Official Album Downloads Chart.

The story of "Sultans of Swing" began in South London in 1977, before Dire Straits had a record deal.

Mark Knopfler had left his job as an English teacher and was living in Deptford with his younger brother David Knopfler and bassist John Illsley. One rainy evening, Mark went into a nearby pub and saw a small Dixieland jazz group playing to an almost empty room, according to Ultimate Guitar.

At the end of the performance, the singer introduced the group as the Sultans of Swing.

The grand name did not seem to match the quiet pub or the modest-looking musicians. Knopfler found the contrast amusing, and the scene became the starting point for a song about working musicians playing for a small crowd.

Knopfler first wrote the song on a National Steel guitar in open tuning. He later felt the early version lacked something. That changed after he bought his first Fender Stratocaster in 1977.

"It just came alive as soon as I played it on that '61 Strat," he recalled. "The new chord changes just presented themselves and fell into place."

Dire Straits recorded a five-song demo at Pathway Studios in North London in July 1977. The band took the tape to BBC Radio London DJ Charlie Gillett, hoping for advice. The band then recorded the song again in February 1978 at Basing Street Studios for its self-titled debut album.

Guitar World ranked the solo No. 7 among the greatest guitar solos, while Rolling Stone included it on its lists of notable guitar performances. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame also placed "Sultans of Swing" on its "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" list.

The strange part of "Sultans of Swing" is that its success never followed the usual path.

It was written in 1977, recorded as a demo that helped Dire Straits get noticed, released in 1978, ignored by the charts, reissued in 1979 and then turned into an international hit.

Decades later, its presence on streaming charts showed that the audience for the song had moved beyond the generation that first heard it on radio.

Related: 1988 Rock Song, Lasting Nearly 14 Minutes, Is Still a Beloved Hit 38 Years Later

Today's NYT Wordle answer is what you do when you text someone back. But the day just isn't complete until I've solved all of the free word games from the New York Times, including Connections, Connections Sports Edition, Strands, and Mini Crossword. If you’re stuck on today’s Wordle answer, we’re here to help—but beware of spoilers for Wordle #1871 ahead.

Let's start with a few hints.

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How many vowels are in today's Wordle?

There is one vowel and one sometimes vowel in today's five-letter word.

What kind of letter does today's Wordle start with?

Today's Wordle begins with a consonant.

Are there any double letters?

There are no double letters in today's Wordle.

Can you give another hint about today's Wordle

A hint for today's Wordle is: Not getting one can be a disappointment.

OK, that's it for hints—I don't want to totally give it away before revealing the answer!

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

We'll have the answer below this friendly reminder of how to play the game.

SPOILERS BELOW—do not scroll any further if you don't want the answer revealed.

The New York Times

Today's Wordle Answer for #1871 on Monday, August 3, 2026.

Today's Wordle answer on Monday, August 3, 2026, is REPLY.

-If you missed it, catch up with the answer to yesterday’s Wordle.

Related: Every 5 Letter Word Wordle Hasn't Used Yet (Updated Daily)

Few artists have enjoyed the kind of lasting success that Pat Benatar has. The four-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee has scored 15 Top 40 hits during her career, with “We Belong” becoming one of her signature songs, even though it never climbed to No. 1.  

Released on October 16, 1984, from her fifth studio album, Tropico, and written by Eric Lowen and Dan Navarro, “We Belong” features a different sound in contrast to Benatar’s earlier releases. The power ballad marked a departure from her usual hard rock style, blending shimmering synthesizers, atmospheric production, and an emotional vocal performance from Benatar. 

RELATED: 2002 Hit Song, With 18-Year-Old Singer, Ranked Among ‘Greatest Minivan Rock Songs’ of All Time

Lyrically, “We Belong” finds the iconic powerhouse delivering a heartfelt message to a loved one, insisting that despite the struggles they face, the two ultimately belong together. By emphasizing that love is worth fighting for, Benatar delivers a timeless and universal message about commitment, perseverance, and relationships that are built to last.  

Although Benatar didn’t write “We Belong,” the tune came together in just 90 minutes by its writers. 

"I was lamenting an old relationship, and I wanted to get the point across: 'It doesn't matter if you agree or disagree, if you're here or gone. There are things bigger than both of us, and we belong together,'" Navarro said of the inspiration behind the song, according to The Tennessean. 

"I started with that final line and built everything almost backwards. Then I thought, 'Wouldn't it be fun for us to belong to all of this stuff: the light, the thunder ...' So it came from there."

"I had written this rambling verse. [Eric] goes, 'I don't like the verse. I like this bit, Dan,'" he continued. "He sits down in a corner, writes a first verse, and the first verse was there, whole. And I knew the rest of the song from that point on. I took about ten minutes to write the rest of the lyrics."

Upon release, “We Belong” became a Top 10 hit, peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, matching the chart success of Benatar’s previous hit, “Love Is a Battlefield.” The track also reached No. 3 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Airplay chart and 34 on the Adult Contemporary chart. 

Charts aside, in 1986 “We Belong” earned Benatar a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, placing her in a category alongside fellow contenders, Linda Ronstadt, Tina Turner, Madonna, and Whitney Houston. 

Aside from “We Belong,” Benatar is known for hits like “Heart Breaker,” “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “Shadows of the Night,” “Love Is a Battlefield,” and “All Fired Up.”

Related: 1994 No. 1 Breakthrough Song, Written by a 22 Year Old, Is Still a Powerful Hit 32 Years Later

The horns are going back up in Birmingham.

Ozzfest, the festival Ozzy Osbourne turned into a rite of passage for metal fans, is returning in 2027, and it is landing at the exact stadium where he took his final bow. In a new interview, Sharon Osbourne confirmed the revival will hit Villa Park, the Birmingham ground that hosted her late husband's farewell show last year.

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A Return to Where He Said Goodbye

"It's going to be at Villa Park again," Sharon said, adding that whether the run is one night or two is up to the fans. The venue choice is loaded. Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa in Ozzy's own hometown, hosted the Back to the Beginning concert in July 2025, a monster send-off that reunited the original Black Sabbath lineup one last time and packed the bill with metal's biggest names. It became Ozzy's final performance before his death at 76 later that month.

Sharon first teased the comeback in December, when she revealed she was in talks with Live Nation. She has framed bringing Ozzfest back as a way to honor Ozzy's love of giving young bands a shot in front of enormous crowds, and she wants the new version to push past pure metal without losing its teeth. The festival will open in the U.K. before crossing to North America, with a lineup she promises is coming soon.

A Back to the Beginning Film Is Coming Too

There is more on the way, too. Sharon confirmed a film of the farewell show is coming. "It will be out this year," she said, thanking the artists and fans who gave up part of their summer to show up. The 2025 concert was a benefit that pulled in stars from across rock and metal, and she insists the momentum is not slowing. "Ozzy's legacy isn't fading," she said.

Ozzfest practically built the modern metal summer. From 1996 to 2018 it was the genre's traveling home base, launching acts like Slipknot and Tool and giving Ozzy a stage to headline with his solo band and Black Sabbath. After a nearly 10-year hiatus, the festival Ozzy loved is coming home to Birmingham.

Some songs take months or even years to finish. Others arrive almost overnight.

Released as a single in 1973, Maureen McGovern's "The Morning After" became one of the year's biggest hits, spending two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and eventually earning Gold certification. But the song's journey began under an incredibly tight deadline. It was written in a single night for the 1972 disaster film The Poseidon Adventure, and 53 years ago today it climbed to the top of the charts.

Songwriters Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn were approached in March 1972 by producer Irwin Allen, who asked them to write the love theme for The Poseidon Adventure. According to Fred Bronson's "The Billboard Book of No. 1 Hits," Allen gave them just one day to complete the assignment.

"The production schedule called for the song to be recorded the following Monday, and Allen wanted to hear the completed tune on Friday," Bronson writes. Kasha and Hirschhorn spent the night at Kasha's home working at the piano over "some strong, black coffee."

"We stumbled in the next morning," Hirschhorn recalled. "They said, 'It's perfect!'"

Originally, the song carried a much darker title: "Why Must There Be a Morning After?" Allen and director Ronald Neame felt audiences needed a more hopeful message for the disaster film, so it was shortened to simply "The Morning After." Even The Poseidon Adventure itself nearly received a different title before the studio decided to stick with Paul Gallico's original name.

Although actress Carol Lynley appeared to sing the song in The Poseidon Adventure, the vocals heard in the film actually belonged to session singer Renee Armand. When it came time to release the song as a commercial single, record executive Russ Regan searched for a new voice and discovered an unknown Ohio singer named Maureen McGovern after hearing one of her demo tapes.

According to Bronson, Kasha and Hirschhorn initially played McGovern's recording and "were very shaken by it."

"He had never heard of this girl in his life," Kasha said. "He asked us what we thought of it and we told him we loved it. We weren't just being Monday morning quarterbacks. We thought she captured the song so beautifully."

The record got off to a relatively slow start, but everything changed after "The Morning After" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

"It started off slowly, debuting at number 99 on the Hot 100 dated June 23, 1973," Bronson writes. "Its chart progress sharply increased in its third week on the chart; it moved 99-86-42-29-20-9 to number one."

The song spent two weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and finished as Billboard's No. 28 song of 1973. It also earned a Gold certification after selling more than one million copies, while helping launch McGovern's career, which later included another Oscar-winning disaster movie theme, "We May Never Love Like This Again" from The Towering Inferno, and the hit "Different Worlds" from the TV series Angie.

Looking back, Kasha believed the song resonated because its message reached far beyond the film.

"It struck a chord of hope," he said. "It can be read as a personalized kind of song. It could be read as a love song. It could be read as a song for a person who's on alcohol or some kind of drug, there's got to be a morning after, meaning getting through the night… It's just a great song of hope."

Related: 1973 Song With Zero Chart History, Written by a 24-Year-Old, Is Still a Heartbreaking Ballad 53 Years Later

Nearly 60 years since its release, Cream’s 1966 classic “I Feel Free” remains one of the band’s timeless classics.

The trio, which was named by Louder Sound as the “greatest supergroup of all time,” created a song that is celebrated for its unique fusion of blues rock, psychedelic pop and a cappella vocal harmonies by lead singer and bassist Jack Bruce.

Along with his bandmates, Eric Clapton on guitar and vocals and Ginger Baker on drums, the all-star group introduced “I Feel Free” as their second single.

At that time, the song was originally released as a standalone single in the UK but was later included as the opening track on the North American edition of their debut album, Fresh Cream.

Written by Jack Bruce alongside British poet Pete Brown, who also teamed up with the band on “Sunshine of Your Love” and “White Room,” the lyrics focus on breaking free from ordinary bounds and expressing liberation and newfound freedom.

British Rock Group Cream with members Eric Clapton, Ginger Baker, Jack Bruce in 1968.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Apart from its meaningful lyrics, “I Feel Free” also features an early recorded example of Clapton’s signature “woman tone” guitar technique, which later became a defining element of songs such as “Sunshine of Your Love.”

The psychedelic pop-rock song gained traction in the UK, debuting at No. 50 on the UK Singles Chart before eventually climbing to No. 11, marking one of the band’s first major hits.

However, “I Feel Free” had less commercial success in the United States. It only peaked at No. 116 on the Billboard Hot 100 while their album Fresh Cream performed better, climbing to No. 39 on the Billboard 200.

Despite its modest commercial success in the U.S., the 1966 track has continued to influence generations of musicians and remains a favorite among listeners nearly six decades after its release.

On Cream’s official YouTube channel, fans are celebrating the timeless appeal of “I Feel Free,” with many praising the band’s groundbreaking musicianship and calling it a “masterpiece.”

“Such a sensuous, poetic masterpiece. Jack Bruce was a phenomenal singer!” one wrote.

“Still a classic tune,” a YouTube user said.

“There is nothing, and never will be, anything like this ever,” another added.

“The first 30 seconds of this song are absolutely insane,” a fan echoed.

The same goes for a commenter who said, “This is Cream’s best song. They all got their best licks in.”

Related: 1968 Rock Song, Written by 'Best Supergroup' of All Time, Became a Timeless Anthem

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

Today’s NYT Mini Crossword puzzle covers everything from hairstyles to aliens, and there's even a joke.

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

So, if you're working on today's Mini Crossword on Monday, August 3, and need some help (I've been there), get ready to read the clues and solutions for each line. We have them separated into hints first for both "Across" and "Down" words, followed by "Across Answers" and "Down Answers," so be careful if you want to avoid spoilers as you scroll!

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Hints for NYT’s The Mini Crossword on Monday, August 3, 2026

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

NYT Mini Across Hints

1 Across: Fire enthusiast, slangily — HINT: Ends with the letter "O"

5 Across: Q: Why did the farmer ___ under his tractor? —HINT: Ends with the letter "P"

6 Across: Many buildings on campus — HINT: Starts with the letter "H"

7 Across: A: So he could wake up ___ in the morning! — HINT: Ends with the letter "Y"

8 Across: Aliens, for short — HINT: Starts with the letter "E"

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

NYT Mini Down Hints

1 Down: Braid, to a Brit — HINT: Starts with the letter "P"

2 Down: Hollers — HINT: Ends with the letter "S"

3 Down: Depend (on) — HINT: Ends with the letter "Y"

4 Down: Photo ___ (publicity events) — HINT: Starts with the letter "O"

5 Down: One of two often sold in a box — HINT: Ends with the letter "E"

Answers to NYT’s The Mini Crossword for Monday, August 3, 2026

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

NYT Mini Across Answers

1 Across: Fire enthusiast, slangily — PYRO

5 Across: Q: Why did the farmer ___ under his tractor? —SLEEP

6 Across: Many buildings on campus — HALLS

7 Across: A: So he could wake up ___ in the morning! — OILY

8 Across: Aliens, for short — ETS

NYT Mini Down Answers

1 Down: Braid, to a Brit — PLAIT

2 Down: Hollers — YELLS

3 Down: Depend (on) — RELY

4 Down: Photo ___ (publicity events) — OPS

5 Down: One of two often sold in a box — SHOE

Related: Cookie Lovers, Don't Miss These National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day Deals

One of disco's most recognizable invitations began with a far more innocent meaning.

In 1979, Anita Ward made "Ring My Bell" a worldwide hit. The song's chiming hook, electronic percussion and Ward's light, unmistakable vocal helped it stand out even during a year packed with disco successes.

Ward had followed a much different path to the recording studio. The Memphis native sang with the Rust College A Cappella Choir and later formed a gospel quartet before working as a substitute teacher. She met singer-songwriter Frederick Knight through her manager, and what was supposed to be a three-song session became her debut album, Songs of Love.

The album was nearly complete when everyone involved decided it needed another upbeat song. Knight returned with "Ring My Bell," but he had not written it with Ward in mind. The song was originally intended for 11-year-old Stacy Lattisaw as a child-friendly number about young people talking on the telephone.

After Lattisaw signed with another label, Knight repurposed the song for Ward. "The title was so catchy I kept that, but changed the lyrics," he explained. The rewritten version traded the original's innocent premise for an adult invitation, though Knight left its exact meaning open to listeners.

Knight also played the keyboards and percussion, including the distinctive synthesized drum heard throughout the track. He said the entire record was completed in only two days. Ward had doubts about recording it and later admitted that it "was a song that I thought I didn't like."

Ward's doubts did not stop listeners from embracing it. "Ring My Bell" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks and also topped its soul and disco charts. It spent two weeks at No. 1 in the United Kingdom, and the performance earned Ward a Grammy nomination for Female R&B Vocal Performance in 1980.

Ward never matched its chart success with another single, but the song continued reaching listeners long after disco's commercial peak. In 2026, it found another audience through a TikTok trend that sent U.S. weekly streams to 2.53 million. A song first meant for one 11-year-old had become a favorite passed between generations.

Related: 1978 Timeless Classic, Named No. 1 Hit for Eight Weeks, Became a Soft Rock Anthem

Jennifer Lopez is channeling her inner Madonna.

The singer and actress, who just turned 57 on July 24, is having the time of her life in Venice, Italy. That's why there's no better spot to reenact Madonna's iconic music video for her 1984 hit single, "Like a Virgin." The title track off the Like a Virgin album, the song's memorable video featured everything from a male lion to Madonna sporting a wedding dress. But it's Madonna's journey through the canals of Venice on a gondola that served as the most memorable part of the music video, and Lopez showed off her stuff as she reenacted the video. Check out the stunner as she channeled her inner Material Girl:

"I had to do it…🛶," Lopez captioned the fun video.

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Check out the legendary "Like A Virgin" music video that left its mark on the world below:

Lopez’s Memorial Day Bikini Set Instagram On Fire

Lopez took to Instagram while celebrating the Memorial Day weekend and showed off a series of fun photos, including a shot of her in a white string bikini as she soaked up the sun by the swimming pool. With a cocktail and her cell phone by her side and a straw hat on her head, the legend revealed her washboard abs and famous curves.

“Spending the day with the people I love. Happy Memorial Day everybody ❤️🤍💙,” Lopez captioned the photo carousel, which also showed her floating in the pool on a giant pink float and cuddling up with her kids.

Scroll to the third slide to see Lopez’s white string bikini as she luxuriated by the pool over the holiday weekend.

View this post on Instagram Lopez Puts in the Hours at the Gym

If you’re wondering how Lopez achieves that red carpet body, she puts in the hours at the gym. Back in February, Lopez took to Instagram to share a photo of herself working out. The revealing snap set the Internet on fire thanks to Lopez’s hard-earned body and stunning good looks. With her long hair cascading down her back, the beauty stared at herself in the mirror as she took the picture.

“Keep it simple…,” she captioned the steamy photo, which included a plum-colored workout set revealing her rock-hard abs and voluptuous chest. In the second slide, Lopez featured text from a book that read, “The goal is simple. Better than yesterday. Every. Single. Day.”

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Related: Jennifer Lopez’s Birthday Week Begins With a Bathtub Dessert Moment That Has Everyone Looking Twice

For years, millions of people watched Shay and Tanner Martin face the unimaginable together. Now, one year after Tanner's death, Shay just shared a huge life update with fans—and not everyone knows how to feel about it.

The influencer announced on Sunday, August 2, that she has remarried, sharing an emotional video on Instagram explaining how she reached the decision after losing Tanner to stage 4 colon cancer in June 2025.

Addressing the followers who have supported her family through the years, Martin said she wanted to answer the questions she'd been seeing about how she and their daughter AmyLou have been doing. "It's been a year filled with both heartbreak and sadness, but also incredible blessings," she said. "We've welcomed AmyLou. We've lost Tanner. I moved home to Arizona where I grew up, and I found love again."

Martin explained that her late husband had long hoped she would one day find someone who would love both her and their daughter. "One of the greatest hopes Tanner had was that I would find someone who would love AmyLou as his own. And honor the life that Tanner and I built together," she shared.

She went on to say her new husband has embraced Tanner's memory rather than replacing it, and shared some footage from their wedding day. "He has never asked me to leave Tanner behind. Never," Martin said. "He honors Tanner."

One important message she wanted to share with her followers was that “moving forward is not the same as moving on." She also acknowledged that, during Tanner's illness, she once believed she would never remarry before realizing, "There is enough love to give. You can never run out of love, and I will never graduate from grief."

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Martin's announcement quickly sparked a wide range of reactions.

“Remarrying only after a year is insane,” one wrote in the comments.

Another asked, “She got a new man and her husband died a year ago???????”

“A year goes by so quickly. How does this happen so fast? I’m happy for you but it feels so unnaturally fast,” said a third.

But others were supportive of Shay’s journey.

“I’m so happy for you. ❤️ I know some people might have mixed feelings or questions about moving on after loss, so I wanted to share that anticipatory grief is very real,” one wrote.

“There’s no timeline on love and grief. Both intertwined. I’m happy for you Shay!” shared another.

“Him sitting at Tanner’s bench is so sweet. Happy for you Shay 🤍,” one noted.

Shay reminded followers that the account she and Tanner built together was created to document their journey, raise awareness for colon cancer, and educate others about grief—not to share every detail of her family's life. "My first responsibility is to my family, not the internet," she said, adding that she plans to continue honoring Tanner's legacy of "kindness, hope, and assuming good intent."

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Eventually, the piles of stuff around your home stop being harmless clutter and start driving you absolutely nuts. The books that never made it back to the shelf, the pile of mail you swear you’ll sort through on the console, the chargers that have taken over the desk, and all those bits and baubles without a designated home can make even a tidy room feel perpetually messy. And when you’re tired of sifting through everything, the answer isn’t always more cleaning — it’s giving all that stuff somewhere to go.

That’s what makes the Edx 4-Tier Bookshelf With Drawer such a practical problem-solver. Walmart has it on sale for 47% off, bringing the usual price down from $47 to just $25. With three open shelves for baskets, decor, or anything else currently taking up valuable real estate, and a drawer to hide the smaller items you don’t want staring back at you, it's a smart addition to your household.

Edx 4-Tier Bookshelf With Drawer, $25 (was $47) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

Shop at Walmart

Clean industrial lines meet a warm, rustic finish in this tall, narrow bookshelf that makes the most of vertical space. Thanks to its slim footprint, the piece fits comfortably into apartment corners, beside a desk, next to a sofa, or in otherwise underutilized spaces throughout the home.

A matte black metal frame creates an open, architectural silhouette, while the wood-look shelves feature rich walnut-inspired graining with natural tonal variation, giving the appearance of stained wood. The frame extends slightly above the top shelf, creating a gallery-style border that visually frames the entire piece. Below, the enclosed storage compartment blends seamlessly into the design with a matching wood-look drawer front and a black cup pull that nods to classic apothecary hardware. It's also available in an all-black finish for a more modern, monochromatic look.

Designed for both display and concealed storage, the bookshelf features three open shelves with plenty of room for everything from hardcover books and framed photos to woven baskets, candles, trailing plants, and decorative objects. The varying shelf heights make it easy to mix taller pieces with smaller accents for a styled, layered look. 

A removable fabric drawer at the bottom of this bookshelf acts almost like a storage bin, measuring approximately 13.9 inches wide by 9.9 inches deep by 11.7 inches high. It's ideal for tucking away office supplies, electronics, charging cables, remotes, notebooks, or other everyday clutter you'd rather keep out of sight. 

Shop More Deals

• Edk Triple 4-Tier Bookshelf, from $55 (was $67) at Walmart
• Homfa Tall Bookcase with Three Large Drawers, from $130 (was $210) at Walmart
• Concetta 3-Tier Bookshelf, from $25 (was $50) at Walmart

The shelving unit is constructed from durable P2-grade particleboard supported by a sturdy powder-coated metal frame, with each shelf holding up to 26 pounds. Adjustable feet help stabilize the bookcase on uneven floors, while the included anti-tip kit and rear support panel provide added security, especially in homes with children or pets. Assembly hardware, labeled parts, and step-by-step instructions are included to make setup straightforward, so you can spend less time building and more time styling your shelves.

Walmart shoppers left plenty of praise for this “sleek, functional, and stylish” bookshelf in the reviews section. One reviewer wrote, “The layout provides plenty of room for my books and plants, and having that bottom drawer is such a bonus for extra storage. It’s a great combination of a display unit and a practical organizer.”

Related: Walmart’s Retro Arched Bookcase Has the Prettiest Scalloped Cabinet Doors

Enough shuffling things from one pile to another — shop the $25 Edx 4-Tier Bookshelf With Drawer at Walmart and give the clutter somewhere to go!

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Legendary guitarist John William Lowery, better known as John 5, has worked with everyone from Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson to David Lee Roth, Dolly Parton, and Mötley Crüe. Now, he's adding horror-rock icon Wednesday 13 to his impressive list.

In news shared today, Aug. 2, John 5 announced the surprise collaboration for the summer/fall 2027 touring season. He and his solo band, The Creatures, are handing vocal duties over to Joseph Poole, stage name Wednesday 13, for a round of shows.

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According to Blabbermouth, the collaboration marks the first time The Creatures have included a singer. To mark the occasion, they plan to perform songs spanning John 5's career, which also includes stints with crossover artists such as Avril Lavigne, Meat Loaf, Ozzy Osbourne, Slash, and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The group’s first show is set for the Wacken Open Air Festival, scheduled for July 28 to 31, 2027, in Wacken, Germany.

“I’ve really missed playing these songs that for years were so much a part of my life,” John 5 said, per Blabbermouth. “Having such an amazing showman as Wednesday 13 join me will ensure the performances are killer. And to have the first show we announce be the Wacken festival in 2027 is truly awesome.”

For Wednesday 13, he, too, sees the collaboration as an honor and a great opportunity to relive some of heavy metal and hard rock’s greatest hits.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be sharing the stage with John 5,” Wednesday 13 said. “He has been such a staple in the music world and is one of the best and most respected guitarists out there.”

Speaking to his and John 5’s relationship over the years, Wednesday 13 said, “John and I have been friends for years, and we have toured together with our bands going all the way back to 2010. All the projects he's been involved with over the years are all of my favorite bands, and have been such an influence on me. To be able to sing some of these songs along with him is truly an honor. I really can't wait to get out on the road next year.”

A truly versatile guitar virtuoso, John 5 began strumming at the age of 7. He moved to L.A. at 18 and found work as a high-demand session musician for soundtracks, TV, and artists like k.d. lang. His breakthrough came in 1998 when he contributed to the DLR Band album with Van Halen frontman Roth.

From there, John 5 joined Manson’s crew, contributing heavily to Holy Wood and The Golden Age Grotesque. In 2006, he joined Zombie’s outfit, serving as main co-writer and lead guitarist for more than a decade. Then, in 2022, he joined Mötley Crüe, stepping in for Mick Mars when he retired.

Today, he tours solo and with Mötley Crüe. As a solo act, John 5 has released nearly a dozen acclaimed instrumental albums, including Vertigo and Sinner, showcasing his lightning-fast hybrid picking on Fender Telecasters.

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Meanwhile, Wednesday 13, a distinctive voice and musician known as the “Duke of Spook,” leads the titular horror-themed punk rock and heavy metal band. He started in the ‘90s in North Carolina, fronting the horror punk group Maniac Spider Trash until 1996 before forming Frankenstein Drag Queens From Planet 13.

In the early 2000s, he achieved mainstream recognition as the frontman of Murderdolls, a horror punk-slash-glam metal band he founded with Slipknot drummer Joey Jordison. Notable albums include Beyond the Valley of the Murderdolls in 2002 and Women and Children Last in 2010.

The mid-2000s saw the frontman launch Wednesday 13, with his debut album, Transylvania 90210: Songs of Death, Dying and the Dead, introducing his tour-de-force theatrical style and horror-rock sound to genre fans. Since then, he’s released 10 studio albums under his own name, including Horrifier in 2022 and Mid Death Crisis in 2025.

Additional North American and European dates are expected to be announced in the coming months.

Related: Heavy Metal Legend Who Helped Define a Generation of 2000s Rock Turns 58

A decade after her last studio album, the “Queen of Heavy Metal” Lita Ford is making her long-awaited return with a major career update.

Best known for being the lead guitarist of the iconic all-female band The Runaways, the 67-year-old musician shows no signs of slowing down.

In her recent interview with Scott Davidson of Chicago's Rebel Radio, she shared an update on her upcoming album.

According to her, they are working on administrative processes with the record companies to release the album, which they hope will arrive later this year.

"We're trying to get this record out, going back and forth with paperwork through the record companies, and so we're hoping for a September record, in which case, the touring is gonna pick up and everything is gonna be off the charts. So I'm excited. Fingers crossed,” she revealed, as transcribed by Blabbermouth.

American Rock musician Lita Ford in Chicago, Illinois circa 1988.

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

As for the journey, especially the songwriting process, Ford shared that she prefers the traditional route instead of relying on technology.

“As a matter of fact, if you have a good idea, if you can somehow get to a guitar, play that riff, write down the lyrics and the title, because I don't know why, but it changes almost instantly if you don't put it down, as how you hear it originally,” the musician explained, emphasizing the importance of capturing a song idea before its original spark fades.

Prior to this, the iconic singer hinted that she would release a new “badass” album this fall.

Ford also revealed that the album will feature a “killer duet" with fellow “queen of metal” Doro Pesch and a collaboration with former The Plasmatics singer and bassist Jean Beauvoir.

“It's great. She nailed it, and the song is fantastic,” she told SiriusXM's Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk. “So I'm excited for everybody to hear that. And then I did another track with Jean Beauvoir. We wrote a great song together. [He's] super talented, and the song is magic. And, of course, Gary Hoey produced it, and there's lots of guitar playing on it and stuff. [Legendary 1980s producer] Max Norman mixed it. So, it's badass."

The "Close My Eyes Forever” singer has released nine studio albums since launching her solo music career in 1983, with her last record, Time Capsule, a collection of previously unreleased songs recorded in the 1980s which she released in 2016.

Related: 1970 Rock Song, Written in Two Hours, Ranked Among 'Greatest Protest Songs' of All Time