Kelly Clarkson's coronation song when she won American Idol in 2002 was "A Moment Like This," which was released as her first single and went to #1. Every finalist that season recorded the song in case they won.
The TV show Cheers was nearly canceled after its first season, but the theme song, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," was very popular. To satisfy viewer demand, the theme was made into a full song and released as a single.
"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.
R.E.M. got the title "Shiny Happy People" from a Chinese propaganda poster.
Prince Markie Dee of The Fat Boys co-wrote the Mary J. Blige hit "Real Love."
The original "Venus" was a #1 hit for the Dutch band Shocking Blue. Listen to the first line and you'll hear a muffed word: "goddess" was sung as "goddness."
The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.
When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.
Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.
Pool balls, magpies and thorns without roses - how well do you know your Tom Waits lyrics?
The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.
How did The Edge get his name? Did they name a song after a Tolkien book? And who is "Angel of Harlem" about?