"The Way" by Fastball was inspired by the story of an elderly couple from Texas who drove to a nearby family reunion and kept going. Fastball's bass player imagined them taking off and having fun like they were young. The story didn't end well: the couple was later found dead after they crashed in a canyon.
Billy Idol's "Eyes Without A Face" is based on a 1959 French movie about a surgeon who abducts young women and removes their facial features.
Australian singer-songwriter Sia Furler wrote "Diamonds" for Rihanna in just 14 minutes.
"Never Tear Us Apart" was a live favorite for INXS, who would often extend the second pause for a while as the crowd went crazy.
In 1939, a polka craze swept America thanks to "Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel)."
Madonna didn't write "Papa Don't Preach," which deals with abortion. What drew her to the song was the singer standing up to male authority.
With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.
Did Al play on a Beach Boys record? Did he have beef with George Lucas and Coolio? See if you can spot weird but true stories.
Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.
MTV, a popular TV theme song and Madonna all show up in this '80s music quiz.
Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."
A monthly update on our latest interviews, stories and added songs
©2020 Songfacts®, LLC
