Matt Trzcinski’s career in journalism began in high school when he started writing for local newspapers. He’s been a film critic since 2012 and joined the Showbiz Cheat Sheet team in 2019 where he specializes in classic rock and pop music. He loves the larger-than-life personalities in both genres, which provide ample fodder in books and interviews for behind-the-scenes information our readers want to know. Matt has expertise in acts such as The Beatles and The Monkees.
Matt is a Tufts University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Studies. In his free time, he participates in the Boston Horror Society, a group devoted to horror films. He also enjoys reading the work of critics including Roger Ebert and Chuck Klosterman and authors J.D. Salinger, Edgar Allen Poe, and Franz Kafka. See more of Matt’s work on Screen Rant, Cinema Axis, Taste of Cinema, American Songwriter, and his Muck Rack profile.
2023 was the year Barbie took over cinemas, but few would have predicted she would take over music. Barbie: The Album featured hit songs, including Dua Lipa's "Dance the Night."
Dua Lipa contributed "Dance the Night" to the soundtrack of Greta Gerwig's 'Barbie'. Lipa explained what she was trying to accomplish with the song and how she felt making it.
Madonna's "Holiday" is so good that two people were set for life after it became a hit. Subsequently, they didn't find success with the Material Girl or anyone else.
Harry Houdini had nothing to do with Dua Lipa until Lipa released her song "Houdini" from 'Radical Optimism'. Still, referencing a stage magician is an odd move for a singer.
Madonna has many obvious predecessors but Smokey Robinson is not one of them. Despite that, Robinson influenced one of the key ingredients of Madonna's "Like a Virgin."
Michael Jackson was the King of Pop and every king has a court. It's no surprise he worked with several other megastars across genres over the course of his life.
Madonna's "Holiday" never managed to become a No. 1 hit in the United States. One of the writers of the track has a theory why the tune didn't perform better.
The Beach Boys' sound was inspired by the vocal harmonies of another band. Mike Love also revealed "Fun, Fun, Fun" was inspired by one of the quintessential 1950s artists.
Neverland Ranch is one of the most famous celebrity properties. Michael Jackson bought the ranch because of an experience he had while filming the video for "Say Say Say."
Madonna's "Holiday" wasn't a massive hit, but it has a large place in our cultural memory. Case in point: one of Jessica Simpson's songs is a massive rip-off of "Holiday."
Madonna's first album included several of the most important songs of her career. One of the producers of the album was hurt by the way the Material Girl treated her.
You might think Madonna's first album is simply overloaded with some of the Material Girls' best pop songs. According to the album's producer, the record actually contains prophecies.
Madonna's "Lucky Star" might not be as famous as "Like Virgin" but it has an incredible dance groove. The song's producer revealed what he thought of the Queen of Pop.