Jack & Diane started off as an interracial couple; Mellencamp took race references out of the song at the request of his record company.
"Total Eclipse Of The Heart" by Bonnie Tyler is a tribute to the vampire movie Nosferatu, depicting an immortal "love in the dark."
When "Theme From Shaft" won an Oscar in 1972, Isaac Hayes became the first African American to win in the Best Song category.
The disco song "Good Tmes" by Chic was a huge influence on early rap, providing the bassline for "Rapper's Delight."
Roger Daltrey stutters the vocal on "My Generation" by The Who. The idea was to sound like a British kid on speed.
The electronic instruments in George Clinton's "Atomic Dog" represent the coming computer age, balanced by the instinctual dog who barks and pants throughout the song.
The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.
Can you name Def Leppard's only #1 hit in America? Get rocked with this adrenalized quiz.
Richie talks about producing the first two Kiss albums, recording "Brother Louie," and the newfound appreciation of his rock band, Dust.
Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.
Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."
The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.