One of the first teenage stars of the Rock Era was Lesley Gore, who was just 16 when she recorded "It's My Party," a huge hit in 1963. It gave us the iconic phrase, "It's my party, I'll cry if I want to."
"Paper Planes" was inspired by M.I.A.'s hassles trying to get a visa to enter America.
Colbie Caillat sang "Bubbly" when she auditioned for American Idol in 2004, but was sent packing. Three years later it became a big hit when she released it as her first single - the song spent 19 weeks at #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
When The Kinks released "Lola," most people didn't realize Lola was a man. "I was dancing with this beautiful blonde, then we went out into the daylight and I saw her stubble," Ray Davies said of the inspiration.
Kelly Clarkson's coronation song when she won American Idol in 2002 was "A Moment Like This," which was released as her first single and went to #1. Every finalist that season recorded the song in case they won.
"Master Blaster (Jammin')" is Stevie Wonder's tribute to Bob Marley, released less than a year before Marley died.
Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.
What's the deal with "Summer of '69"? Bryan explains what the song is really about, and shares more of his songwriting insights.
Pool balls, magpies and thorns without roses - how well do you know your Tom Waits lyrics?
When a waitress wouldn't take him home, Jack wrote what would become one of the Eagles most enduring hits.
How the American gangsta rappers made history by getting banned in the UK.
The Third Day frontman talks about some of the classic songs he wrote with the band, and what changed for his solo country album.