John Landis directed Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video and faced the challenge of making Jackson look scary. Landis was the man for the job: he directed the 1981 movie An American Werewolf In London, which also features lycanthropy.
"Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve samples an obscure orchestral arrangement of the 1965 Rolling Stones song "The Last Time." The Verve had to sign away most of the royalties before they could release the song.
"Cum On Feel The Noise" was originally recorded by the British glam band Slade in 1973. Quiet Riot had their first hit with the song when they recorded it in 1983.
Before launching his career as a singer, Bruno Mars was a writer/producer. He and his co-writers pitched "Just The Way You Are" to Cee-Lo Green; when he turned it down, Bruno recorded it himself and released it in 2010 as his first single as a lead artist.
Duran Duran's "Wild Boys" is based on the book of the same name by William Burroughs.
"I Just Called To Say I Love You" is Stevie Wonder's best-selling single worldwide. It topped the Hot 100, AC, R&B and UK charts all in the same week.
The guy who brought us "Stacy's Mom" also wrote the Jane Lynch Emmy song and Stephen Colbert's Christmas songs.
For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.
The original voice of Snap! this story is filled with angry drag queens, video impersonators and Chaka Khan.
Fishbone has always enjoyed much more acclaim than popularity - Angelo might know why.
The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.
Many actors have attempted music, but only a few have managed a hit. Do you know which of these thespians charted?