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The Meaning Behind “The Man in Me” by Bob Dylan, a future ‘Lebowski’ Anthem
Before Ethan and Joel Coen included “The Man in Me” in their 1998 film The Big Lebowski, it appeared on Dylan’s 1970 album, New Morning. Though Dylan’s 11th LP is sometimes overlooked, it offers a...
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The Beatles’ Contentious Final No. 1 Hit Was Almost a Tom Jones Single
The Beatles released their last No. 1 hit as a band in May 1970. But before that, it was almost a Tom Jones single. The post The Beatles’ Contentious Final No. 1 Hit Was Almost a Tom Jones Single...
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The Story and Meaning Behind “The Sign,” a Pop Peak From ’90s Swedish...
It seems like every musical era finds a new act from Sweden that comes around and reminds people of the pristine pop music that emerges from that country. In the early ‘90s, that act was Ace of Base....
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The Story and Meaning Behind “The Lady in Red,” Chris de Burgh’s Romantic...
Chris de Burgh’s reputation in the United States is largely based on his hit ballad “The Lady in Red.” For some fans who aren’t crazy about the sappy stuff, the song’s longevity on soft-rock playlists...
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Country Fans, Here’s What Chappell Roan Wants You To Know About Country...
Pop star Chappell Roan offers a disclaimer to country fans about "The Giver," which she released in March 2025. The post Country Fans, Here’s What Chappell Roan Wants You To Know About Country Single...
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“When We Find Something Good, We Destroy It By Our Presence”: Behind the...
For Don Henley, that cause is often environmentalism. Take the Eagles' "The Last Resort" for example. Henley put all his frustration about commerce destroying the environment into this song. The post...
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The Story and Meaning Behind “The Way,” Fastball’s Hit Inspired by a...
Sometimes, a songwriter just needs a plot to get started on what could be an outstanding song. That’s certainly how it worked for Tony Scalzo of Fastball when he penned the band’s signature 1998 single...
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The Meaning Behind “Never Too Late” by Elton John and Brandi Carlile
Elton John’s Never Too Late documentary marks a music legend’s farewell to his fans. Looking back on his life and extraordinary 50-year career, John remembers his early days as a struggling musician...
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“You’ve Got Your Troubles,” the Breakthrough Hit Displaying the Vocal Blend...
In the case of The Fortunes, their vocal harmonies are what set them apart. And when they needed it most, those golden voices helped them to a breakthrough hit in the 1965 single “You’ve Got Your...
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The Meaning Behind “Diamonds and Rust” by Joan Baez and a Phone Call She...
Joan Baez has spent the past 60 years singing protest songs. While many from her generation gave up on social justice activism, she carried on. She’s also recorded many Bob Dylan songs throughout her...
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Let’s Get It Started: What Was Olivia Newton-John’s First U.S. Top-40 Hit?
Few artists come anywhere near Olivia Newton-John when it comes to singles success. Time and again, Newton-John displayed the ability to change with the musical times, which is why her run of chart...
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The Hit Phil Collins Originally Wrote for Daughter Actress Lily Collins,...
"That song, I told my daughter this, is really for her. It's her song, even though it's an ape singing it to a baby boy." The post The Hit Phil Collins Originally Wrote for Daughter Actress Lily...
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The Meaning Behind “Out in the Street” by Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen's fifth album, The River (1980), sounds like a release from the hard times. Coming off the Darkness Tour, Springsteen wanted to showcase the power of his live band. He used the...
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How Amy Winehouse Turned a Word-For-Word Conversation Into Smash Hit “Rehab”
How Amy Winehouse turned a casual conversation while clothes shopping into her Grammy Award-winning smash hit, "Rehab." The post How Amy Winehouse Turned a Word-For-Word Conversation Into Smash Hit...
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The Career Hit Joni Mitchell Wrote in Response to Neil Young’s “Sugar Mountain”
Joni Mitchell wrote this song to cheer up Neil Young after hearing his laments over his lost youth in his song "Sugar Mountain." The post The Career Hit Joni Mitchell Wrote in Response to Neil Young’s...
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The Meaning Behind “Come In From the Cold” by Joni Mitchell
"They paved paradise, put up a parking lot." That iconic line from Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” remains timeless because there never seems to be a shortage of nature or culture flattened by greed....
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“When I Need You,” Leo Sayer’s Treatise on Overcoming Loneliness
Many of the artists who released yacht rock classics were singer/songwriters, musical poets who poured their hearts out into their soft-rocking material. For much of his career, Leo Sayer was exactly...
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Am I Crazy, or Did This Version of “Margaritaville” Take This Beachy Classic...
This version of Jimmy Buffett's 1977 classic "Margaritaville" takes this beachy classic to a whole new (much darker) level. The post Am I Crazy, or Did This Version of “Margaritaville” Take This Beachy...
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The Loretta Lynn and Elvis Costello Collaboration That Brought Them ‘Full...
“The first time I heard Elvis sing since that day was on the record,” said Loretta Lynn of her second collaboration with Elvis Costello. “I couldn’t believe it. The post The Loretta Lynn and Elvis...
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What Was the Last U.S. Top-40 Hit by Van Halen?
Van Halen is credited with revitalizing hard rock in the late ‘70s, adding a dose of brash fun to what had become a somewhat dour genre. Their crowd-pleasing tendencies also allowed them to make many...
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