Many people believe "Hotel California" is about a mental institution called the Camarillo, but the Eagles say it's about materialism and excess.
"Kokomo" gave The Beach Boys their first #1 hit in 22 years. They picked the title because it sounded tropical.
The Mary J. Blige song "No More Drama" samples the theme to the appropriately dramatic soap opera The Young And The Restless.
James Brown's "Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine" was the first Hot 100 hit with the word "sex" in the title.
Songwriter Wayne Carson wrote "Always On My Mind" in ten minutes at his kitchen table in Missouri.
Mike Campbell from Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers played the slide guitar on "Sixth Avenue Heartache." There is a connection here - Wallflowers lead singer Jakob's dad, Bob Dylan, played with Tom Petty in The Traveling Wilburys.
The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.
Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?
An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.
The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.
The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."
The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.
