The kid in Madonna's "Open Your Heart" video became a successful songwriter. His songs include Amy Winehouse's "You Sent Me Flying" and James Blunt's "1973."
Thomas Dolby wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct the video, which was inspired by silent films and set in a "home for deranged scientists."
"How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" by Marvin Gaye was inspired by Jackie Gleason's saying, "How Sweet It Is!"
The game Lana Del Rey sings about in "Video Games" is World of Warcraft - her ex used to play it all the time.
"Mrs Robinson" was originally called "Mrs Roosevelt," most likely after First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. It became "Mrs Robinson" when it was considered for use in the film The Graduate.
Chuck Berry's only #1 hit was "My Ding-a-Ling," a novelty song about a boy and his... you know.
Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.
Our chat with Barney Hoskyns, who covers the wild years of Woodstock - the town, not the festival - in his book Small Town Talk.
Can you name Def Leppard's only #1 hit in America? Get rocked with this adrenalized quiz.
Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.
Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.
The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.