Forty years ago this month, Buzz Aldrin was among the astronauts who landed on the moon. To commemorate that amazing event, Aldrin has released a hip-hop track. Yup, that’s right: “Rocket Experience” features the musical/rap stylings of none other than Buzz Aldrin himself (Snoop Dogg, Soulja Boy, Talib Qweli and Quincy Jones helped produce the track).

While “Rocket Experience” is more novelty than bust-a-move, dance party single, it got us thinking that odd pairings can result in entertaining music (or at least some really weird videos).  Here’s our recipe for music mash-ups of the Aldrin/Snoop variety:

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An inordinate number of this summer’s catchiest songs are coming from New York-based bands fronted by stylishly detached women. Their singing brings to mind the cool clarity of Blondie’s Debbie Harry, and their styles have a 21st century “been-there, done-that” attitude. We’re talking punchy guitar riffs, dance-friendly beats, and aloof girls ordering you to “dance till you’re dead!” So what are you waiting for? Summer is now, and here are its sauciest sirens:

Karen O of Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Yeah Yeah Yeahs started out as a wild, arty punk band, but after some success with ballads, they lost their focus for a few years. Fortunately, they realized there is a way to be commercial and crazy at the same time—’80s dance rock! Read more…

Michael Jackson’s death has forced many to cope with a great, sudden loss. Here’s how one Sparkler, Bearsley, is dealing with her grief. —SparkNotes Editors

I, along with a countless number of people, was shocked when I heard the news that Michael Jackson had died. As I sat staring at the TV screen, a giant glop of frozen yogurt fell out of my mouth, right into my lap, which delighted my dog but made me sad because I liked those pants. Anyway, Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, has moonwalked into the great beyond. Read more…

Although it remains a contentious issue, you would think identifying bad songs would be simple. You just look for a tasteless music video, incessant repetition of annoying or meaningless phrases, and lyrics that are, at least on the surface, really, really stupid.

But what of songs that meet some or all of these qualifications of awfulness but still succeed, in spite of—or perhaps because of—their hideousness? These are the kinds of songs that provoke the most interesting debates around blogs and lunch tables. In the interest of better understanding this paradoxical phenomenon, we’ve mined the last few decades of pop music for examples of really exceptional, terrific badness:

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Sparkler thelionking has some creative ideas about how to pass time while you’re waiting for your life to start (aka when you finally get your license.) Enjoy! —SparkNotes Editors

Ah, summer.  That wondrous time of year when the birds are singing, school is out, and everybody has their freakin’ driver’s license but you.

You are still languishing in the passenger seat of mom’s Volvo, which, contrary to Stephenie Meyer’s beliefs, is not sexy or cool in any way. But the lameness of the station wagon isn’t the worst part. The worst part of not being able to drive is waiting.

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Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last 24 hours, you know that the world has lost a light. At 1:07 pm Pacific Time, following a heart attack, Michael Jackson left us for the big Neverland Ranch in the sky. Before the YouTube servers come crashing down due to all the requests for “King of Pop,” SparkLife would like to remember the man who inspired us all (even Filipino convicts), with our favorite MJ moments:

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If you believe in the zodiac, then celestial stars help define and express your personality. If you believe in rock ‘n’ roll, then pop stars help define and express your personality.

Let’s combine the two: What rock songs define each astrological sign? Below are the twelve segments of the zodiac and the rock tunes that sum them up. Which song are you?

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Consumed by love? Totally over the whole dating scene? Haven’t gotten started yet? No matter what stage you’re in, Sparkler cee_christee can help you out! —SparkNotes Editors

Oh, the many sides of love! Whether you’re silently pining, looking to serenade a crush, enjoying the best relationship ever, stressing about a relationship that’s going down the tubes, or mourning one that already has, I’ve got a song for you.

For those who have found the person to complete them:

“Better Together,” Jack Johnson
“So Much Love,” The Rocket Summer

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