John Mellencamp considers "Pink Houses" an "anti-American song," laying bare the struggles of the poor and working class.
"Kickstart My Heart" is about all the ways Motley Crue gets their blood flowing without drugs. It was inspired by their bass player Nikki Sixx, who claimed he had to be revived with a shot of adrenaline to the heart after an overdose.
Ann Peebles' "I Can't Stand The Rain" originated from a comment made by the singer to her husband, Don Bryant, when they were preparing to head out to a blues show and it began tipping down with rain.
The names Louise, Jack, Marie and Milo all show up in the song "Footloose." Marie was the mother of Dean Pitchford, who co-wrote it.
Rupaul was in the video for "Love Shack" by the B-52's. He had a solo hit with "Supermodel" a few years later.
Sarah McLachlan wrote "Angel" about the Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin, who overdosed on heroin and died in 1996.
The guitarist/songwriter explains how he came up with his signature sound, and deconstructs some classic Fear Factory songs.
The Reverend rants on psychobilly and the egghead academics he bashes in one of his more popular songs.
For songwriters, Johnny represents the American man. He has been angry, cool, magic, a rebel and, of course, marching home.
A founding member of the band War, Harold gives a first-person account of one of the most important periods in music history.
Bowie's "activist" days of 1964 led to Ziggy Stardust.
Rockers, rappers and pop stars have been known to quote the Bible in their songs. See if you match the artist to the biblical lyric.
