BBC Music Magazine
Recent articles by BBC Music Magazine
June 2024
Mental Health Awareness Week: the role of music in mental health
A series of music workshops with people with experience of mental illness led to something 'beautiful, poignant, moving and above all authentic'. Radio 3 researcher Sally Marlow explains
'Frère Jacques' lyrics: what are the lyrics to the famous French nursery rhyme?
Here are the lyrics to the traditional nursery rhyme Frère Jacques, in both English and French - plus a reminder of where it crops up in classical music
'Wade in the Water' lyrics
Here are the lyrics to the African-American spiritual 'Wade in the water'
Ada Lovelace: how the maths genius saw the future of music
The 19th-century mathematician and musician Ada Lovelace was the first to spot computers’ creative potential. David De Roure tells her intriguing story and explores her legacy
What is the point of John Cage's 4'33"?
How composer John Cage bemused, intrigued and (in some cases) angered New York with the sound of his silent new composition, 4'33"
Allegro meaning: what does the instruction allegro mean in music?
Find out all you need to know about the term musical term allegro - what it means, when it began to be a common sight on musical scores, and a few of the many works that use this instruction
'Ode to Joy' lyrics: what are the lyrics to the poem that concludes Beethoven's Ninth Symphony?
Written by Schiller in the late 18th century, 'Ode to Joy' was immortalised by Beethoven in his ninth symphony. Here are its lyrics
'Jack and Jill' lyrics: what are the words to the popular nursery rhyme?
Here are the lyrics to all three verses of the nursery rhyme 'Jack and Jill'
'Little Bunny Foo Foo' lyrics: how does the popular nursery rhyme go?
Here are the lyrics to 'Little bunny Foo Foo', the popular children's song about a rabbit who harasses the field mice - until a fairy steps in...
What are the lyrics to 'Ding Dong! Merrily on High'?
Did you know the tune to 'Ding Dong! Merrily on High' dates back all the way to the 16th century? Its lyrics, though, are somewhat younger...
What are the lyrics for 'London Bridge is falling down'?
Did you know the nursery rhyme 'London Bridge is falling down' dates back to the 17th century? Here are its famous lyrics
'Bread of Heaven' lyrics ('Guide me, O thou great Redeemer')
Written in the last half of the 18th century, the hymn 'Guide me, o thou great redeemer' is often sung on state and ceremonial occasions, including royal funerals and weddings. Here are its lyrics.
'Wayfaring Stranger' lyrics
Here are the lyrics to the gospel song 'Wayfaring Stranger'
'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star': what are the lyrics to the much-loved lullaby?
Did you know there are five verses to the lullaby 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star'? No we didn't either... Here are all the lyrics in full
What are the lyrics to 'The 12 Days of Christmas' song?
Here are the English lyrics to the famous Christmas song, 'The 12 Days of Christmas'
25 best British composers of all time
We asked 167 top international musicians to vote for the best British composers of all time. Here are the results… Do you agree - and who was voted number one?
The best German composers of all time
Germany has produced some of the greatest compositional voices in history – many of whom are considered among the best across the entire globe. Here, in alphabetical order, we present some of the very best
'Habanera' lyrics: how does the famous aria from Bizet's Carmen go?
Here are the lyrics to the famous aria 'Habanera'
'Men of Harlech' lyrics: how does the rousing Welsh patrotic song go?
This rousing Welsh song is central to Welsh national identity and culture. Here's how it goes - plus some of the history behind the song and its use
'Jerusalem' lyrics: what are the words to the popular hymn?
Written in 1808, the famous hymn 'Jerusalem' became a symbol of hope during the First World War and has been sung with gusto ever since
BBC Music Magazine Awards 2024: winners announced
From Chamber to Concerto via Personality of the Year, here are all the winners of the 2024 BBC Music Magazine Awards
Disney's Fantasia: all the pieces of classical music featured in the animated film
It's not just The Sorcerer's Apprentice that makes an appearance in Fantasia. We name all the works – by the likes of Beethoven, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky – that appear in the original 1940 film
Six of the best jazz cameos in pop
Some of the greatest pop songs have benefited from the input of a jazz great. We discover some of the finest contributors...