Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" was written by the keyboard player from Toto, who was working on the Thriller album.
"Zombie" by The Cranberries is about an IRA bombing in England that killed two children.
The Flaming Lips' "Do You Realize??" was named in March 2009 the official Rock Song of Oklahoma. Four years later, Oklahoma's governor Mary Fallin pulled the tune as the state's official rock song in a move her office said had more to do with priorities than musical taste.
In the UK, the first #1 hit with a rap was "Candy Girl" by the American boy band New Edition in 1983.
Radiohead's "Paraonid Android" was written after a confrontation in a Los Angeles bar with an irate woman.
"Your Time Is Gonna Come" became the first Led Zeppelin song to be covered when Sandie Shaw recorded it in 1969.
In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.
The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.
Songs about drugs, revolution and greed that have been used in commercials for sneakers, jeans, fast food, cruises and cars.
Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.
The 5-octave voice of the classical rock band Renaissance, Annie is big on creative expression. In this talk, she covers Roy Wood, the history of the band, and where all the money went in the '70s.
The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.