
Van Halen's first #1 hit was "Jump," an unusual song for the band because the lead instrument was synthesizer, not guitar.

"Piano Man" was inspired by Billy Joel's time playing at a piano bar in Los Angeles. The "real estate novelist" was a guy who always talked about writing a book, but spent all his spare time in the bar.

"Rio" by Duran Duran is a metaphor for America, where the band was trying to break through.

The first female rapper to perform on a #1 hit? Surprisingly, it's Lil' Kim with the 2001 remake of "Lady Marmalade" for the movie Moulin Rouge. She was was joined on the track by Christina Aguilera, Missy Elliott, Pink and Mya.

"Chasing Pavements" isn't British slang - it's a saying Adele came up with when she found herself running out of a bar after a fight with her boyfriend. "He didn't chase after me! So I was running, just looking at these big wide pavements stretching in front me," she said.

Jimi Hendrix opened for The Monkees on their 1967 tour, and it did not go well. The young, mostly female crowd shouted "Davy" when Hendrix sang the word "Lady" in "Foxy Lady" in honor of who they came to see: Monkees lead singer Davy Jones.
Justin wrote the classic "Nights In White Satin," but his fondest musical memories are from a different decade.
Does Angus really drink himself silly? Did their name come from a sewing machine? See if you can spot the real stories about AC/DC.
Are classic songs like "Over The Rainbow" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" in the public domain?
You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.
The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."
Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.