Music Media Review

Based on the 1964 children's book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory came out 6/30/71. Celebrating 55 years, The Library of Congress just hosted an event for its milestone anniversary. Regarded for its fantastic movie and soundtrack, here's a double review of both works interviewing Life's But A Song podcast host Jon Reilly. 

Brooklyn's The Rat NYC venue

Life's But A Song episodes: Willy Wonka, Meet Me in St. Louis, Rock-a-Doodle

Media Covers: "The Candy Man" - Sammy Davis Jr. (1972), Kidsongs (1986)
"Pure Imagination" - Glee Cast (2011)

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory soundtrack

Willy Wonka IMDB search list

1971 cast at Mohegan Sun's Chocolate Expo from May 2026: Mike Teevee, Veruca Salt, Charlie Bucket, and an oompa loompa

Tunnel scene frightening reactions

Library of Congress event - short

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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Country singer Lauren Alaina ranked runner-up on American Idol's 10th season in 2011. Still making music successfully, she just earned her 4th #1 country hit with "All My Exes" feat. Chase Matthew. What makes this achievement more significant is that the song came out a year ago! Find out the different reasons that led to top country radio, and how it measure up to Lauren's 3 prior #1s. 

Lauren's #1s: "What Ifs" - Kane Brown (2016-2017), "Road Less Traveled" (2016-2017), 
"One Beer" - HARDY feat. Devin Dawson (2020), "All My Exes" (2025, 2026) 

"Thinking 'Bout You" - Dustin Lynch feat. Lauren Alaina (2020)

"Darlin'" - Chase Matthew (2024)

Stages YouTube videos

"Walking in Memphis" - Mark Cohn (1991)

George Strait's "All My Exes Live in Texas" (1987)
Blake Shelton's "Texas" (2024-2025),
“God’s Country” (2019)

American Idol's 2027 move

Joey Moi's work 

Music Notes with Jess episode: Lauren Alaina "Mom Songs"

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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Fitting around Halloween, 2 songs from the same artist have haunted pop charts for a year! Australian artist Kevin Parker goes by alternative name Tame Impala, media promotions escalated his 2025 singles "Dracula" and "Loser". Find out how and the hidden meanings of both tracks' 2026 popularity. 

"Dracula (Jennie Remix)"

"Loser" in Spiderman: Brand New Day 

Beck's "Loser" (1993-1994)

Beck's cameo in "Loser" (2025)

Stranger Things

Marvel Spider-Man media

Spider-Man Brand New Day: Amazon, AppleTV, Fandango, theater showings

Michael Jackson's "Thriller", "Leave Me Alone"

Music Notes with Jess episode: Lady Gaga's "The Dead Dance" & Florence + The Machine's "Everybody Scream"

Music Media Review: VMAs 2026 Predictions

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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Miranda Lambert's 10th new solo album glistens a restored music era. Crisco mixes country and disco! We've seen yacht rock make waves, will "crisco" add more grease to the music melting pot? I research country-disco's origin, provide my album critique, and its specialty work. Like a vinyl record and disco ball, give this episode a spin! 

Miranda Lambert discography

Crisco YouTube channel videos

ACMs' "Crisco" performance

Ella Langley's Dandelion, Kacey Musgraves' Middle of Nowhere

Crisco-inspired work: Glen Campbell - "Rhinestone Cowboy", "Southern Nights"
Dolly Parton - "Jolene", feat. Kenny Rogers - "Islands in the Stream"
Jim Croce - "I Have to Say I Love You In A Song", Eagles, Bee Gees,
Donna Summer - "Last Dance",
Kacey Musgraves - "High Horse"

Interviews: LA Times, The NY Times, Rolling Stone, CBS This Morning

Sirius/XM Yacht Country channel

Crisco brand

Recap episodes:
Music Notes with Jess: Miranda Lambert discography, Miranda Lambert's "Wranglers",
Yacht Rock - Boat Songs, Yacht Soul Playlist

Music Media Review: Ella Langley's "Choosin' Texas", Ella Langley's 'Dandelion' (Review), ACM Awards 2026 Predictions, Kacey Musgraves 'Middle of Nowhere' (Review),
Keith Urban's New Yacht Rock Album


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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

This episode includes AI-generated content.

Twice this year, I missed seeing Lenny Kravitz live. Until I'm given another chance, I read his 2020 memoir Let Love Rule, and bought his new Ken doll! Worshipping an amazing biography and music, I recommend these 10 songs in this countdown.

Playlist:
10. “Thinking of You” (1998)
9. “Ride” (2018)
8. “Stand” (2014)
7. “TK421” (2023) (Explicit)
6. “Let Love Rule” (1989)
5. “American Woman” (1999)
4. “Human” (2024)
3. “Are You Gonna Go My Way” (1993)
2. “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over” (1991)
1. “Fly Away” (1998)

Other favs: "Always on the Run", "Rock and Roll Is Dead", "Dig In",  "Lady", "Low",
"Fly" - Quavo feat. Lenny Kravitz (2024)

Media Clips: Sherri Shepherd Show, People's Choice Awards - Music Icon, Walk of Fame
NBC: Al Roker, Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist (2018), TODAY Show (2020),
VMAs: 1993, 2024: Award, medley"American Woman" - The Guess Who (1970)

Zoe Kravitz, The Jeffersons, The Cosby Show

Rescuing Aaliyah's crew, Aaliyah Barbie doll, Aaliyah Funko


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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Twice this year, I missed seeing Lenny Kravitz live. Until I'm given another chance, I read his 2020 memoir Let Love Rule, and bought his new Ken doll! Worshipping an amazing biography and music, I recommend these 10 songs in this countdown. 

Playlist:
10. “Thinking of You” (1998)
9. “Ride” (2018)
8. “Stand” (2014)
7. “TK421” (2023) (Explicit)
6. “Let Love Rule” (1989)
5. “American Woman” (1999)
4. “Human” (2024)
3. “Are You Gonna Go My Way” (1993)
2. “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over” (1991)
1. “Fly Away” (1998)

Other favs: "Always on the Run", "Rock and Roll Is Dead", "Dig In",  "Lady", "Low",
"Fly" - Quavo feat. Lenny Kravitz (2024)

Media Clips: Sherri Shepherd Show, People's Choice Awards - Music Icon, Walk of Fame
NBC: Al Roker, Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist (2018), TODAY Show (2020),
VMAs: 1993, 2024: Award, medley

"American Woman" - The Guess Who (1970)

Zoe Kravitz, The Jeffersons, The Cosby Show

Rescuing Aaliyah's crew, Aaliyah Barbie doll, Aaliyah Funko


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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Twice this year, I missed seeing Lenny Kravitz live. Until I'm given another chance, I read his 2020 memoir Let Love Rule, and bought his new Ken doll! Worshipping an amazing biography and music, I recommend these 10 songs in this countdown. 

Playlist:
10. “Thinking of You” (1998)
9. “Ride” (2018)
8. “Stand” (2014)
7. “TK421” (2023) (Explicit)
6. “Let Love Rule” (1989)
5. “American Woman” (1999)
4. “Human” (2024)
3. “Are You Gonna Go My Way” (1993)
2. “It Ain’t Over Til It’s Over” (1991)
1. “Fly Away” (1998)

Other favs: "Always on the Run", "Rock and Roll Is Dead", "Dig In",  "Lady", "Low",
"Fly" - Quavo feat. Lenny Kravitz (2024)

Media Clips: Sherri Shepherd Show, People's Choice Awards - Music Icon, Walk of Fame
NBC: Al Roker, Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist (2018), TODAY Show (2020),
VMAs: 1993, 2024: Award, medley

"American Woman" - The Guess Who (1970)

Zoe Kravitz, The Jeffersons, The Cosby Show

Rescuing Aaliyah's crew, Aaliyah Barbie doll, Aaliyah Funko


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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

MTV's gone many changes in its 45 network years, The 43rd VMAs will be no exception. Tons of tribute and category choices are aiming to please diverse demographics. Before the show airs, I analyze 10 popular categories to predict whom may win. Check our social media links below to view my ballot an hour "before" showtime, and results night "after". 

VMAs full ballot

Recap episodes: 
Music Media Review: Grammys 2026 Predictions, 2016 Love Songs Playlist, Ella Langley's "Choosing Texas", Bruno Mars 'The Romantic', Harry Styles Music & Concerts, Noah Kahan's 'The Great Divide', Ella Langley's 'Dandelion' (Review), Noah Kahan's 'Out of Body' & 'The Great Divide', Lady Gaga & Doechii's "Runway", Kacey Musgraves 'Middle of Nowhere' (Review), Toy Story Movie Theme Songs, Justin Bieber's "Speed Demon", Madonna's 'Confessions II' (Review), World Cup 2026 Songs, Sienna Spiro Biography

Music Notes with Jess: Modern Folk: Alex Warren & Myles Smith, MTV Adds Country & CBS to VMAs, VMAs 2025 Predictions, The Life of A Showgirl (Review), Rocky Horror 50th, Jingle Ball 2025 Review


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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

For 25 years, Brandon Flowers has sung lead in The Killers' alternative band. Recently, he released a personal solo album flipping a completely different genre. THRASHER delves his family background in Americana styled music. Find out why he set to try this genre, The Killers' origin, and the record's debut standings. 

Brandon playing Oasis with his son. 

Newport Folk Festival 2026

Tour Schedule

The Killers hits: "Somebody Told Me" , "Mr. Brightside", "All the Things That I Have Done", "When You Were Young", "Read My Mind", "Human", "A Dustland Fairytale", "Runaways", "Shot At the Night", "The Man", "My Own Soul's Warning"

Virgin Radio UK Interview

"Crystal" - New Order (2001)

You may also like: Roy Orbison, Jay Black & The Americans, Brigitte Calls Me Baby, Low Cut Connie, Margot Price

Recommended episodes: 
Music Notes with Jess - Imagine Dragons Biography
Music Media Review - Grammys 2026 Predictions, Super Bowl Halftime Shows, Bruno Mars 'The Romantic', Kacey Musgraves 'Middle of Nowhere', World Cup 2026 Songs

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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena

Happy belated b-day to Beyoncé, and second album B'Day! She released a third version on 9/4/26, her actual birthday and its exact 20th anniversary. Current single "Morning Dew (Donk)"  was an announced bonus track, but much more got added. I review all 3 editions providing historical and music contexts for each. 

Ellen Degeneres Show episode: 9/5/06 - interview, "Deja Vu", "Irreplaceable"

B'Day: Deluxe Edition (2007)

B'Day (20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)

B'Day's music videos: "Dejà Vu", "Ring the Alarm", "Irreplaceable", "Suga Mama", "Upgrade U", "Get Me Bodied", "Green Light", "Beautiful Liar", "Flaws and All",  "KItty Kat", "Freakum Dress", "Listen"

Dreamgirls - "Listen" scene (2006)

Selena biopic - "Como Lo Flor" scene (1997)
Selena y los Dinos - "Como Lo Flor" (1992)

Why Did I Get Married? / soundtrack (2007)

"Move Your Body" (2011)

I also recommend Beyoncé medley at American Idol 10's finale. (2011)

Music Notes with Jess episode: Beyoncé Top 20 - Playlist
Unavailable on digital streaming: "1+1" (Live on American Idol's 10th season finale) (2011)
"Wishing On A Star" (audio) (2005)


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Theme Song: "Gym Track (2026 Remix)", composed by Jessica Ann Catena