Mike Nesmith wrote Linda Ronstadt's first hit, "Different Drum," before he joined The Monkees. He played an intentionally bad version of it on the show.
Jeff Lynne sang the word "groose" in the chorus of "Don't Bring Me Down" as a nonsense placeholder, but left it in when he found out it means "greetings" in German ("gruss").
Thomas Dolby wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct the video, which was inspired by silent films and set in a "home for deranged scientists."
Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" was originally called "Brown Skinned Girl," and was about an interracial relationship.
Jack White titled "Seven Nation Army" after how he would mispronounce "Salvation Army" when he was little.
The "Doctor of philosophy" in the Indigo Girls' song "Closer To Fine" is based on a teacher Emily Saliers had who had a poster of Rasputin on his door.
The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.
The outlaw country icon talks about the spiritual element of his songwriting and his Bob Dylan mention.
Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.
You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.
JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.
