"Hangin' Tough" came at the peak of New Kids on the Block mania. Their writer/producer Maurice Starr wrote it about the struggles the band faced early on. It was #1 in England and America.
"Tammy" by Debbie Reynolds was the only US #1 single by a female act between July 1956 and February 1958.
The movie The Breakfast Club opens with a passage from David Bowie's "Changes" ("And these children that you spit on...")
"I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" by Elton John was written for the sister of actress Rene Russo. Bernie Taupin, who wrote the lyrics, was married to Rene's sister, Toni.
"Personal Jesus," a song about "being a Jesus for somebody else," was inspired by Elvis and Priscilla Presley.
The longtime Eagle talks about soaring back to his solo career, and what he learned about songwriting in the group.
An original member of Depeche Mode, Vince went on to form Erasure and Yaz.
Some album art was at least "inspired" by others. A look at some very similar covers.
David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.
The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.
Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.
