Seemed like a good idea at the time: put basketball star Dennis Rodman on a song by Crystal Waters. An NBA superstar (and future Hall of Famer), Rodman was a crossover celebrity, constantly in the news for his unpredictable and often self-destructive antics. Waters, who had an office job before working her way up in the music industry, was not happy about the pairing, but her label did the deal anyway, hoping the song would get a big boost from its use in Rodman's movie Double Team, in which he starred alongside 
Rihanna's 2012 hit "Diamonds" was written by Sia Furler, who two years later had a huge hit on her own with "Chandelier." Sia also wrote the David Guetta hit "Titanium."
Lucinda Williams wrote and recorded "Passionate Kisses" four years before it was a hit for Mary Chapin Carpenter.
On Metallica's "The Unforgiven," James Hetfield modeled his vocals on Chris Isaak.
Robin Thicke had a #1 hit with "Blurred Lines" in 2013, but he wasn't the first in his family with a hit song. His mom, Gloria Loring, was a singer who had a hit in 1986 with "Friends And Lovers," a duet with Carl Anderson.
"Grenade" was a term used on the show Jersey Shore to mean an ugly girl. Bruno Mars says his hit song with that title was written before the show started.
"Sunday Girl" was written by Blondie guitarist Chris Stein to cheer up Debbie Harry after her cat had run away whilst they were away on tour. The gray cat was called Sunday Man.
Meshell Ndegeocello talks about recording "Wild Night" with John Mellencamp, and explains why she shied away from the spotlight.
The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.
Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.
Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.
Collaborating with T Bone Burnett, Leslie Phillips changed her name and left her Christian label behind - Robert Plant, who recorded one of her songs on Raising Sand, is a fan.
The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.