"Here Comes Your Man" is the closest the Pixies came to a hit in America. It was rumored to be about a drug dealer, but Black Francis says it's just a story about some hobos who travel by train and die in an earthquake.
Pete Townshend wrote The Who's "Pinball Wizard" to coax a good review for the Tommy album out of a rock critic who loved pinball. It worked.
Irving Berlin wrote "How Dry I Am" in anticipation of Prohibition, envisioning a bleak future without alcohol.
When "Theme From Shaft" won an Oscar, Isaac Hayes became the first African American to win in the "Best Song" category.
The name "Schoolhouse Rock," which was a series of educational cartoons, was a play on "Jailhouse Rock," the title of an Elvis Presley song.
The Hall & Oates hit "Everything Your Heart Desires" has no rhymes.
On the "schizoid element" of his lyrics, and a famous line from "Everything Zen."
Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.
Lyrics don't always follow the rules of grammar. Can you spot the ones that don't?
The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.
A talented lyricist, Philip helped revive Neil Sedaka's career with the words to "Laughter In The Rain" and "Bad Blood."
Mike is lead guitarist with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, and co-writer of classic songs like "Boys Of Summer," "Refugee" and "The Heart Of The Matter."