The song "Don't Worry Be Happy" doesn't use any instruments - it's all Bobby McFerrin using various parts of his body to make the sounds.
Shaggy wrote his swaggering hit "Boombastic" after learning what "shag" means in the UK.
Irving Berlin said "God Bless America" was "not a patriotic song, but rather an expression of gratitude."
"Teardrop" by Massive Attack has vocals by Elizabeth Fraser of The Cocteau Twins, who wrote the lyric after learning that Jeff Buckley had died.
Vegetarian Fred Schneider of the B-52's got the idea for "Rock Lobster" at an Atlanta disco when a projector displayed images of lobsters on a grill.
When singers started spoofing their own songs on Sesame Street, the results were both educational and hilarious - here are the best of them.
The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.
Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.
What are the biggest US hits with French, Spanish (not "Rico Suave"), Italian, Scottish, Greek, and Japanese titles?
Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.
An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.