When "Theme From Shaft" won an Oscar, Isaac Hayes became the first African American to win in the "Best Song" category.
"How Sweet It Is To Be Loved By You" by Marvin Gaye was inspired by Jackie Gleason's saying, "How Sweet It Is!"
Bob Dylan's original version of "Mr. Tambourine Man," released on his album Bringing It All Back Home, has no tambourine, just guitars and harmonica.
Ronnie Spector nailed the vocal for The Ronettes song "(Walking) In the Rain" on the first take -- unheard of in the perfectionist producer Phil Spector's world.
Pete Townshend wrote The Who's "Pinball Wizard" to coax a good review for the Tommy album out of a rock critic who loved pinball. It worked.
"Handle With Care" started as a George Harrison song with guest appearances by Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty and Jeff Lynne, but it went so well the five of them decided to form a group - The Traveling Wilburys - and record an entire album.
Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.
Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.
The Christian rapper talks about where his trip to Haiti and his history of addiction fit into his songs.
Here is the church, here is the steeple - see if you can identify these lyrics that reference church.
The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."
Rob Thomas on his Social Distance Sessions, co-starring with a camel, and his friendship with Carlos Santana.
