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Behind the Meaning of “Moving Out” by Kacey Musgraves
Kacey Musgraves’ Deeper Well is rife with well told stories. Among her richest is “Moving Out.” Uncover the meaning behind this reflective ballad, below. [RELATED: Fans Left Dumbfounded as Kacey...
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The Story Behind “Bad to Me” by Billy J. Kramer with the Dakotas and How John...
Billy J. Kramer began as a rhythm guitarist in several beat combos around Liverpool, England. He was born William Ashton but changed his name to Billy Forde when he switched to vocals with The...
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The Humanist Viewpoint Informing “What Is Love?” by Howard Jones
Before he became a British synth-pop icon in the mid-1980s, Howard Jones worked out his material in pubs as a “one-man band,” using his keyboards to bring his songs to those intimate audiences. “That’s...
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The Story and Meaning Behind “So Bad,” a Falsetto-Filled Gem by Paul McCartney
It’s a somewhat forgotten single from a somewhat forgotten album. But “So Bad” just goes to show you that even in the more modest moments in this career, Paul McCartney can deliver charm and craft to...
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How Phil Collins Helped Howard Jones Score a Major Hit with the Rerecorded...
Howard Jones was visiting San Francisco when a label rep made an offhand comment about the beautiful women in the Bay Area. Jones, who was then early into his marriage to Jan Smith (this year they will...
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Behind the Meaning of Joni Mitchell’s “Case of You”
Joni Mitchell’s “Case of You” is a certified classic. Countless artists have tried their hand at it, furthering its appeal across generations. Part of that appeal is how honest Mitchell is in the...
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The Story Behind “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” by Led Zeppelin and How It Took...
The earliest hints of Led Zeppelin surfaced when Jimmy Page joined the Yardbirds in 1966. Their specialty was psychedelic blues with a rock edge and a pop sheen, and Page fit in perfectly. As band...
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How an Early Alfred Hitchcock Film Inspired the Best Song on the New Judas...
The new Judas Priest album Invincible Shield not only broke the U.S. Top 20 and went No. 1 in seven European countries including Germany, but it proved the band can still surprise us. Cases in point:...
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How Rising Stardom Inspired “Things Can Only Get Better” by Howard Jones
Howard Jones was on tour in support of his 1984 debut album Human’s Lib and trying to come up with new songs for what would become his sophomore album Dream into Action. A single that naturally emerged...
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The Story Behind “She’s So Cold” by The Rolling Stones and the Similarly...
In his book Sex in Human Loving, psychiatrist Eric Berne writes, “Some say that one-sided love is better than none, but like half a loaf of bread, it is likely to grow hard and moldy sooner.”...
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Behind the Meaning of “Only In America” by Brooks & Dunn
The “American Dream” has been a pervasive ideal since the inception of the country. The idea that America provides the necessary freedom and opportunity one needs to live out the best version of their...
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The Retro-Rock Allure of “Talking in Your Sleep” by The Romantics
In late 1983, the video for The Romantics’ “Talking in Your Sleep” was inescapable on MTV. The gently grooving tune became the band’s biggest hit of their career and its racy video—featuring the band...
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A Trip to Australia Inspired Chuck Berry’s Patriotic Hit “Back in the U.S.A.”...
When Chuck Berry returned from touring Australia in 1959, he couldn’t be more thankful for the country he had back home. After witnessing the institutional racism affecting black Australian Aborigines,...
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Behind the Meaning of “Independence Day” by Martina McBride
Upon first listen, Martina McBride’s “Independence Day” reads like a patriotic ode. While the anthem is a declaration of freedom, it’s a more personal kind of freedom. Dive into the meaning behind this...
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How Neil Young’s “Are You Ready for the Country” Went From Anti-War to...
Once an artist releases a song into the wild, its original intent and meaning are liable (and, honestly, expected) to be changed by those who hear it—like Neil Young’s 1972 track “Are You Ready For The...
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The Celebrity Cattiness that Inspired “Old School Hollywood” by System of a Down
Although Hollywood has always held a particular allure for people from outside of its fabled environment, there’s plenty of grit to be found beneath the glitter. Some of the members of...
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Why David Bowie Remade His Comeback Hit “Cat People (Putting Out Fire)”
In a career defined by its many transitions, David Bowie’s 1983 album Let’s Dance marked perhaps his biggest musical departure. It was the moment when Bowie fully embraced pop and appealed to a even...
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Behind the Meaning of “Better Days” by Zach Bryan and John Mayer
Zach Bryan and John Mayer recently teamed up for an inspiring duet, “Better Days.” In the song, both artists try to focus on the good times. It’s an admirable example for anyone struggling through the...
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The Utopian World Tom Johnston Dreamt Up While Writing the Doobie Brothers’...
When the Doobie Brothers released their eponymous debut in 1971, the album never charter, nor did its first single, “Nobody.” It took Toulouse Street to finally get the band on the map. The band’s...
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The Story and Meaning Behind “Sunny Came Home,” Shawn Colvin’s Smash that Was...
Singer/songwriter Shawn Colvin already had three albums in her rear view by 1996, and was somewhat fed up with record company intrusions aimed at scoring her a big single. When she decided to stop...
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