The Saxon song "Red Alert" was inspired by a real nuclear disaster.
"Paper Planes" was inspired by M.I.A.'s hassles trying to get a visa to enter America.
"Sister Christian" was written by Night Ranger drummer Kelly Keagy, who was imploring his younger sister to be careful in her reckless youth, especially when "motoring" (driving around) with friends.
"Stay" by Lisa Loeb was the first #1 hit by an unsigned artist. It got a boost from Ethan Hawke, who got it into a movie he starred in called Reality Bites.
The "pompatus of love" from the Steve Miller song "The Joker" comes from a line in a '50s doo-wop song Miller misheard: "puppetutes of love."
New Order took the title for "Blue Monday" from an illustration, which read "Goodbye Blue Monday," in the Kurt Vonnegut book Breakfast Of Champions. The image referred to the invention of the washing machine improving housewives' lives.
Dire Straits frontman Mark Knopfler got the idea for "Money For Nothing" after overhearing delivery men in a New York department store complain about their jobs while watching MTV.
The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.
Lori's songs have been recorded by Faith Hill and Sara Evans. She's performed on the CMAs and on Oprah. She also has five kids.
Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.
John tells the "St. Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)" story and explains why he disappeared for so long.
