There really is a China Grove (in Texas), but Tom Johnston didn't know about it when he wrote the Doobie Brothers song.
The song "Sadeness" by Enigma (the one with the chanting monks), got its name from the French novelist Marquis de Sade, who believed sex had to be painful in order to be pleasurable - thus the word "sadism."
ZZ Top's "Sharp Dressed Man" was the first video that was a sequel. It picked up the storyline of their "Gimme All Your Lovin'" video about a guy who encounters three beautiful women.
"Take Me Home Country Roads" is set in West Virginia, but John Denver had never been there when he recorded the song. The country roads represent a sense of belonging.
The Ben Folds Five song "Brick" is about a difficult time when Folds' girlfriend got an abortion.
The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.
Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.
Starting in Virginia City, Nevada and rippling out to the Haight-Ashbury, LSD reshaped popular music.
Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.
Tyler talks about his true love: songwriting. How he identifies the beauty in a melody and turns sorrow into art.
Zac tells the story of Hanson's massive hit "MMMbop," and talks about how brotherly bonds effect their music.