The B-52's chose the location of their song "Private Idaho" because the state has a reputation for being wacky and mysterious. The title is a play on the phrase "private eye."
The thunderclap sound heard in the Bee Gees song "Tragedy" was made by Barry Gibb with his mouth.
"I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues" by Elton John was written for the sister of actress Rene Russo. Bernie Taupin, who wrote the lyrics, was married to Rene's sister, Toni.
"99 Luftballons" by Nena is about a Cold War scare when balloons showed up on radar and were mistaken as a nuclear threat.
"Soul Man" was a new term when the song was written in 1967. As defined by the song's co-writer, David Porter, the Soul Man doesn't have a fancy big-city slant, but has "the emotional thing happening inside of him that made people really love him."
Aimee Mann's "Save Me" was inspired by her relationship with the actor Dave Foley, who had gone through a divorce and was an emotional train wreck.
The stories behind "Shine," "December," "The World I Know" and other Collective Soul hits.
The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.
The revered singer-songwriter talks inspiration and explains why she put a mahout in "Drop the Pilot."
Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?
The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.
The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.