The Annie Lennox hit "No More I Love You's" is a cover, originally sung by a man.
"The Way" by Fastball was inspired by the story of an elderly couple from Texas who drove to a nearby family reunion and kept going. Fastball's bass player imagined them taking off and having fun like they were young. The story didn't end well: the couple was later found dead after they crashed in a canyon.
"Killing An Arab" by The Cure was inspired by Albert Camus' book The Stranger.
Taylor Swift's "Shake It Off" was inspired by how she'd learned to deal with all the false rumors that circulated about her. She realized she could either let it get to her or "just shake it off."
The B-52's chose the location of their song "Private Idaho" because the state has a reputation for being wacky and mysterious. The title is a play on the phrase "private eye."
Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" is about the commercialization of Hawaii. On her first trip to the islands, she looked out of her hotel window and saw a parking lot as far as the eye could see.
Songwriting Hall of Famer Linda Perry talks about her songs "What's Up" and "Beautiful," her songwriting process, and her move into film music.
Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."
How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?
The king of Christian worship music explains talks about writing songs for troubled times.
How a country weeper and a blues number made "rolling stone" the most popular phrase in rock.
Zac tells the story of Hanson's massive hit "MMMbop," and talks about how brotherly bonds effect their music.