Clik here to view.
The Runaway Teen and Sgt. Pepper Muse Behind the Beatles’ “She’s Leaving Home”
The Beatles' heartstring-tugging ballad "She's Leaving Home" was based on the true story of a then-17-year-old Melanie Coe. The post The Runaway Teen and Sgt. Pepper Muse Behind the Beatles’ “She’s...
View ArticleClik here to view.
“If She Can Do It, She Can Have It”: The Bruce Springsteen Song that Landed...
Patti Smith's biggest single boosted her to mainstream success, but it was originally a Bruce Springsteen tune that he couldn't figure out. The post “If She Can Do It, She Can Have It”: The Bruce...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Love Ballad John Lennon Wrote on the Back of a Valentine’s Day Card
Did you know that John Lennon wrote the Beatles Love Ballad, "If I Fell," on the back of a Valentine's Day card? The post The Love Ballad John Lennon Wrote on the Back of a Valentine’s Day Card...
View ArticleClik here to view.
“Like a Cry To The World”: Merry Clayton Remembers Laying Vocals on “Gimme...
Merry Clayton recalls the interesting circumstances around her iconic guest feature on the Rolling Stones' "Gimme Shelter." The post “Like a Cry To The World”: Merry Clayton Remembers Laying Vocals on...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Jimmy Buffett’s Final Tribute to a City He Loved, New Orleans: “The...
"What does New Orleans mean to me?" said Buffett. "Where do I start? It means a whole hell of a lot." The post Jimmy Buffett’s Final Tribute to a City He Loved, New Orleans: “The University of Bourbon...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Story and Meaning Behind “Queen of Hearts,” the Breakthrough Juice Newton...
When you're reliant on other writers for songs, it's important you pounce when the opportunity is right to record a song that could be a hit. It's also crucial the folks at the record company see the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Story Behind How the Eagles Unearthed and Finished Jackson Browne’s “Take...
Why a serious case of writer's block led to the Eagles finishing and releasing Jackson Browne's, "Take It Easy" The post The Story Behind How the Eagles Unearthed and Finished Jackson Browne’s “Take It...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Meaning Behind Raye’s “Oscar Winning Tears”
There were many great performances during a medley of Best New Artist nominees at the 2025 GRAMMYs. But one stunning moment stood out—Raye’s stirring rendition of her outstanding jazz ballad, “Oscar...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Meaning Behind Coldplay’s “All My Love” and What Chris Martin Says Is His...
Someone had to fill the void after Radiohead had largely abandoned rock music. All this is to recall Coldplay’s roots as a rock band. Yes, a rock band with piano riffs, but a rock band, nonetheless....
View ArticleClik here to view.
What Was Foreigner’s Last U.S. Top-40 Hit?
No two situations are the same, of course, but the last big hit by a band often comes when its members aren’t quite seeing eye to eye. That animosity can lead to a split, which, if not completely...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Yacht Rock Essentials: “Whatcha Gonna Do?” the Danceable Lament by Pablo Cruise
It's a wonder Pablo Cruise isn't mentioned more frequently by those talking about the biggest acts in yacht rock. They had the slightly jazzy but nonetheless danceable grooves, the killer vocal...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Story and Meaning Behind “Come and Get Your Love,” Redbone’s Trailblazing...
If you happen to hear “Come and Get You Love” on oldies radio or on some movie or television show (where it often pops up), you might just assume that Redbone is one of your run-of-the-mill one-hit...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How Jimmy Buffett Finished “Margaritaville” on a Seven Mile Bridge to Paradise
How a traffic jam on Key West's seven-mile bridge helped Jimmy Buffet finish his greatest all time hit, "Margaritaville." The post How Jimmy Buffett Finished “Margaritaville” on a Seven Mile Bridge to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
What Was the First U.S. Top-40 Hit by Styx?
Styx’s first U.S. Top-40 single was recorded for their second album. Four albums into their career, Styx still didn’t have a hit single to their name. Strangely enough, the preceding two sentences...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Story and Meaning Behind “Honey,” Bobby Goldsboro’s Weeper of a Hit
Who’s not in the mood for a good tearjerker every once in a while? In 1968, the listening public certainly was. Audiences all over the world made Bobby Goldsboro’s weeper “Honey” a runaway hit....
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Meaning Behind “No Reply” by The Beatles and the Song That Inspired It
The Beatles had become restless. Their comfort in the recording studio showed in how they manipulated its technology. John Lennon and Paul McCartney, inspired by Bob Dylan, aimed for something higher...
View ArticleClik here to view.
The Story and Meaning Behind “Shake You Down,” Gregory Abbott’s ’80s Smash...
Soul ballads weren’t exactly burning up the charts with regularity circa 1986. Nobody told Gregory Abbott, however, which is a good thing, because he went ahead with “Shake You Down” anyway and walked...
View ArticleClik here to view.
How Alfred Hitchcock Inspired Bob Dylan’s “Motorpsycho Nightmare”
Bob Dylan’s “Motorpsycho Nightmare” appears on his 1964 album, Another Side of Bob Dylan. On his fourth album, Dylan began moving away from writing social and political folk songs, which prompted some...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Yacht Rock Essentials: “After the Love Has Gone,” a Winning Departure From...
There’s no hard-and-fast rule that says yacht rock songs have to come from artists who’ve released music exclusively within the genre. Occasionally, an act dabbled in the soft-rocking style without...
View ArticleClik here to view.
It Came From the British Invasion: “Son of a Preacher Man,” Dusty...
Dusty Springfield had already proven herself as a master of the chirping pop track and the dramatic torch song. But taking a crack at sultry American soul seemed like a stretch, with even Springfield...
View Article