Beyonce Knowles and Michelle Williams wrote "Girl" for Kelly Rowland as an encouragement for her to end her relationship with a verbally and physically abusive boyfriend.
The idea for "The Man Comes Around" came to Johnny Cash from a dream he had where he was in Buckingham Palace and the Queen said to him, "Johnny Cash, you're just like a thorn tree in a whirlwind."
"Panama" by Van Halen is not about the country or the canal, but about a stripper David Lee Roth met in Arizona.
Paul McCartney wrote "Hey Jude" to comfort John Lennon's 5-year-old son Julian, whose parents were getting a divorce.
The "Don't Stop Believin'" resurgence started when the Journey song was used in a roller skating scene of the 2003 movie Monster.
Ronnie Dunn wrote "Boot Scootin' Boogie" before he teamed up with Kix Brooks to form Brooks & Dunn. It was originally recorded by the country group Asleep At The Wheel, but Brooks & Dunn did it themselves when it got its own line dance.
Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.
Call us crazy, but we like it when an artist comes around who doesn't mesh with the status quo.
On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."
An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.
When she released her first album in 1988, Tanita became a UK singing sensation at age 19. She talks about her darkly sensual voice and quirky songwriting style.
How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?