Janet Jackson's "Rhythm Nation" was inspired by the tribes that came together at New York dance clubs.
Jean-Claude Van Damme was an extra in the video for Ollie & Jerry's “Breakin'... There's No Stopping Us” and he can be seen at point dancing in the background.
The guy who wrote "Tell It To My Heart" owns a collection of famous baseballs, including the one that went through Bill Buckner's legs.
KT Tunstall's "Suddenly I See" was inspired by Robert Mapplethorpe's photograph of Patti Smith on the cover of her album Horses.
Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is about their founding member Syd Barrett, who became an acid casualty. Notice the S-Y-D in the title.
The voice of Waldo in Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher" video was the late Phil Hartman of Saturday Night Live Fame.
In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.
How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?
Wilder's hit "Break My Stride" had an unlikely inspiration: a famous record mogul who rejected it.
Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.
Pete produced Dwight Yoakam, Michelle Shocked, Meat Puppets, and a very memorable track for Roy Orbison.
Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.
