One of the songs on Taylor Swift‘s new album Red (Taylor’s Version) is her re-recording of “Ronan,” a song she originally released as a charity single on iTunes in 2012.  Now, she’s released a lyric video for the song featuring footage and photos of its real-life subject.

“Ronan” was written about a little boy by that name who died of cancer in 2011, just a few days before his fourth birthday.  Taylor’s inspiration came from the blog his mother, Maya Thompson, wrote about Ronan and his battle with the disease, and Thompson is credited as a writer on the song.  Taylor asked Thompson for permission to include “Ronan” on the re-recording of Red, and of course, she said yes.

The new lyric video for the song features a video of Ronan telling his mom “I love you,” and then features a series of photos of him and his family throughout his tragically brief life.  It concludes with a link to the Ronan Thompson Foundation, which raises money for pediatric cancer.

Posting the video on Instagram, Thompson writes, “It is so painstakingly perfect. Thank you, @taylorswift, for your courageous heart, loyalty, and love. You truly are one of the most incredible human beings I’ve ever known, and there is no one I would rather have Ronan safe with than you.”

“You have given a voice to the voiceless by continuing to advocate for kids with cancer, bereaved parents, and anyone who is suffering,” she continued. “Thank you for taking my pain and turning it into poetry. You are magic, and I love you so much.”

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If you’re “Head over Heels” for your “#1 Crush,” then do we have the tour for you.

Garbage is set to open for Tears for Fears on the English duo’s upcoming live U.S. run, set to kick off next year starting May 20 in Cincinnati. The tour is named after the upcoming Tears for Fears album, The Tipping Point, which marks their first new record in 18 years.

Tickets go on sale next Friday, November 19, at 10 a.m. local time. For the full list of dates and all ticket info, visit TearsforFears.com.

Garbage, meanwhile, released a new album called No Gods No Masters this past June. They just got off the road last month after opening for Alanis Morissette‘s Jagged Little Pill anniversary tour.

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Kanye West is known for his enormous ego. However, in part two of his Drink Champs podcast appearance on Thursday, he humbled himself.

Ye’s mental health issues have been documented in the past, and he discussed both his bipolar diagnosis, and what he says is the excuse it gives some people to dismiss him or label his behavior.

“There’s a lot of people who will say, ‘I don’t believe that you are actually bipolar,’ Kanye said. “And anytime somebody wants to say that I’m wrong about something, hide the truth [or] lie, they say, ‘Ye’s crazy.’ It’s just the ultimate final cut-off to not have to listen.”

Kanye admitted, “Okay, I’m crazy, but what y’all gonna do about it?”

West also touched upon one of his wildest antics, his infamous stage rush of Taylor Swift at the MTV VMAs in 2009.

“All of America hate me,” he said, and remembered the comments. “You was wrong! You wrong for this one! You won’t win this! Everybody telling me, ‘you shouldn’t have ran on stage. You were rude, God forbid!'”

The “Stronger” rapper also discussed dreams of “buying America,” noting that he is selling his two ranches in Wyoming because friend Elon Musk has encouraged him to buy land in Austin, Texas. He added that Young Thug suggested he relocate to Houston to create communities that grow fresh, organic food.

Also on Thursday, Kanye remembered his late mother, one day after the 14th anniversary of her death. He posted an Instagram photo of him as a baby in his mother’s arms. Donda West died in 2007 following complications from a cosmetic surgery. She was 58.

West named his 10th studio album, Donda, after his mother.

 

 

 

 

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Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and Avril Lavigne‘s new video for “Bite Me” proves it.

Directed by Hannah Lux Davis, the clip finds a ticked-off Avril meeting up with Travis Barker — whose label she’s now signed to — and heading off to confront the man who did her wrong. With them is a pack of musclebound, scary-looking guys who are all wearing, um, ballet tutus.

Avril, Travis and the tutu-wearing guys break into the loft apartment where Avril’s ex is living, and the guys start trashing the place with axes and chainsaws while Avril and Travis rock out, playing “Bite Me” in the living room. 

The terrified ex tries apologizing — even proposing — but it’s too late.

“Bite Me” is the first single from Avril’s forthcoming album, for which there’s so far no title or release date. She recently told Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, “It was just time to rock again, and I have a feisty side to me. And with this single ‘Bite Me’, like, I’m in a happy place in my life, [but]…I’m reflecting on past stuff I’ve been through in relationships with love.”

“Lets face it — love’s not easy, right?” noted the twice-divorced Canadian star. “And, I mean I’ve been through the wringer, so, yeah I’m writing about it again.”

(Video contains uncensored profanity.)

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Russell Dickerson is hitting the road in early 2022. On Friday, the “Home Sweet” star revealed a run of headlining dates that kicks off January 25 in New York City.

Up-and-comer Breland, who recently joined Dierks Bentley for a series of shows and has collaborated with acts like Keith Urban, will join Russell as direct support on the newly announced dates.

“It’s time!” Russell shares. “This headlining tour has been a huge dream for so long and now it’s time! The All Yours, All Night Tour is here and we’re bringing Breland with us to take this thing to a whole new level!”

The tour will take Russell through cities like Boston, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh, ultimately wrapping up with a hometown show at the Ryman in Nashville. Pre-sale for the shows begin today, and tickets will be available to the general public starting next Friday, November 19, at 10 a.m. local time.

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NHC, the band featuring Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins and Jane’s Addiction members Dave Navarro and Chris Chaney, has released two new songs.

The tracks, titled “Devil That You Know” and “Lazy Eyes,” are available now for digital download.

NHC previously made their debut in September with the songs “Feed the Cruel” and “Better Move On.” The band is a reunion of sorts for Hawkins and Chaney, who both played in Alanis Morissette‘s touring band in the ’90s.

The first official NHC headlining show will take place November 23 at the Troubadour in Los Angeles.

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ABBA has voyaged straight to the top of the British charts, and set several records in the process.

The beloved Swedish pop icons saw their first album in 40 years, Voyage, sell 204,000 copies in its first week of release in the U.K.  That makes it the U.K.’s fastest-selling album this year, with the biggest opening week sales in four years. The last album to sell that many copies was Ed Sheeran‘s Divide, back in 2017.

ABBA is now also only the fourth artist in the past 10 years to sell more than 200,000 copies of an album in its first week in the U.K.: The others are Adele, Ed Sheeran and One Direction.

On top of that, out of the 204,000 copies sold, 29,900 were vinyl, making Voyage the U.K.’s fastest-selling vinyl release of this century.

Voyage is ABBA’s 10th number-one British album.

“We are so happy that our fans seem to have enjoyed our new album as much as we enjoyed making it!” said the group in a statement. “We are absolutely over the moon to have an album at the top of the charts again!”

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