
Hozier's "Take Me to Church" drew inspiration from the atheist writer Christopher Hitchens. He called it "a bit of a losing your religion song."

"After Midnight" was written by the Oklahoma guitarist J.J. Cale, who was dirt poor until Eric Clapton recorded his song and turned it into a hit.

"Killing An Arab" by The Cure was inspired by Albert Camus' book The Stranger.

The Strokes admitted to purloining Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers' "American Girl" for their hit "Last Nite."

Snap! were two German producers. When they needed a rapper, they found one on the American army base there and had him rap on "The Power."

"All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey was the first ringtone certified Gold.
When you have a song called "Fire," it's tempting to set one - these guys did.
Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?
Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.
The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.
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.
Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.