Irving Berlin wrote "How Dry I Am" in anticipation of Prohibition, envisioning a bleak future without alcohol.

Bob Seger's song "Beautiful Loser" was inspired by book Leonard Cohen published in 1966 called Beautiful Losers.

Jack & Diane started off as an interracial couple; Mellencamp took race references out of the song at the request of his record company.

A 1989 track by Kenny G, "Going Home," is the unofficial national closing song in China. The tune is played at the end of train rides, the end of school days, and when malls are about to close.

Rihanna claims that "S&M" is about her love/hate relationship with the media. Apparently her paparazzi are using whips and chains.

"Ghosttown" from 2014 was Madonna's 45th chart-topper on the Dance Club Songs chart, breaking the record for the most #1s an artist has tallied on a single Billboard chart.
Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.
Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.
A talk with Martin Popoff about his latest book on Rush and how he assessed the thousands of albums he reviewed.
When he was asked to write a song for the Singles soundtrack, Mark thought the Seattle grunge scene was already overblown, so that's what he wrote about.
The rock revolutionist on songwriting, quitting smoking, and what she thinks of Rush Limbaugh using her song.
'80s music ambassadors Wang Chung pick their top tracks of the decade, explaining what makes each one so special.