The Information Society hit "What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)" samples the voice of Leonard Nimoy (Spock) from an episode of Star Trek.
The original "Enter Sandman" lyric was about crib death, with the "sandman" killing a baby.
The events described in Alanis Morissette's song "Ironic," like rain on your wedding day, are not examples of irony. Irony is the use of words to convey the opposite of their literal meaning.
Aretha Franklin didn't drive, but one of her biggest hits was a car song: "Freeway Of Love."
"London Calling" by The Clash was written amid widespread fears that the Thames River was going to flood the city.
"The Candy Man" is the opening song in the 1971 movie Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, but the version released as a single was by Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. It was a #1 hit and became his signature song even though his audience was very adult.
The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.
These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.
Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.
Paul Stanley on his soul music project, the Kiss songs with the biggest soul influence, and the non-make-up era of the band.
Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.
The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.