Elvis Presley' first #1 on any chart was "I Forgot To Remember To Forget." It arrived at the top of the country tally on February 25, 1956 and stayed there for two weeks.
Jimmy Webb was inspired to write "Up-Up and Away" by a balloon that his friend William F. Williams flew on promotions for radio station KMEN.
"The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is an English version of a Zulu hunting song from the 1930s.
Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" was inspired by the tribes that came together at New York dance clubs.
"Cruise" climbed from 6-5 on the Hot 100 in its 34th week. In doing so it set a record for the slowest ascent to the Top 5 in the chart's history, which was beaten by Imagine Dragon's "Radioactive" 42-week clamber to #4 three weeks later.
After Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale hooked up in 1996, Rossdale's Bush bandmates referred to their hit song as "Everything Gwen."
The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.
Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.
The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.
Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.
The Christian rapper talks about where his trip to Haiti and his history of addiction fit into his songs.
The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."