The TV show Cheers was nearly canceled after its first season, but the theme song, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," was very popular. To satisfy viewer demand, the theme was made into a full song and released as a single.

Imagine Dragons lead singer Dan Reynolds says their 2012 hit "Radioactive" is "a song about having an awakening; kind of waking up one day and deciding to do something new, and see life in a fresh way."

In the UK, the first #1 hit with a rap was "Candy Girl" by the American boy band New Edition in 1983.

"Happy Xmas (War Is Over)" is based on billboards John Lennon and Yoko Ono posted two years earlier declaring "War Is Over! If You Want It."

Duran Duran's "Wild Boys" is based on the book of the same name by William Burroughs.

In 1939, a polka craze swept America thanks to "Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel)."
One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.
Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.
The British reggae legend tells the story of his #1 hit "Close To You," talks about his groundbreaking Shabba Ranks collaboration "Housecall," and discusses his latest project with Robin Trower.
From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.
Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.
The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.