The Jesus Jones song "Right Here, Right Now" was conceived as an optimistic version of Prince's "Sign O' The Times."
"Ho Hey" by The Lumineers is about New York City, where lead singer Wesley Schultz moved to make it in music. He was dismayed to find many "trust fund kids" in the music scene while he struggled to pay the rent.
"Diamonds From Sierra Leone" by Kanye West is about the "blood diamonds" mined using child labor in Africa. It also serves as a shout-out to Roc-A-Fella records, known for a diamond-shaped hand signal.
Calvin Harris' "Blame" was the first song to break 10 million streams in a week on Spotify. The record was set during the seven days of September 8 to September 14, 2014.
Zac Hanson was just 11 years and 7 months old when "MMMbop" topped the Hot 100, making him the youngest group member to co-write and perform a US #1 single.
"Only Wanna Be With You" by Hootie & the Blowfish is a tribute to Bob Dylan, but Dylan sued them over it for using lyrics from his song "Idiot Wind."
Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.
The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.
How well do you know this shock-rock harbinger who's been publicly executed hundreds of times?
Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.
Zac tells the story of Hanson's massive hit "MMMbop," and talks about how brotherly bonds effect their music.
The "A Thousand Miles" singer on what she thinks of her song being used in White Chicks and how she captured a song from a dream.