"God Bless America" has been played at countless sporting events, but Lady Gaga took it to new heights when she sang it from the top of the stadium at the 2017 Super Bowl in Houston between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons. Coming just months after the election of Donald Trump, America was divided politically, but Gaga pledged to keep politics out of her performance. She did make a statement of sort with her opening number, where after doing a verse from "God Bless America," she did a verse from "This Land Is Your Land," the song Woody Guthrie wrote to parody "God Bless America." Before jumping to the field, she recited a bit from the Pledge of Allegiance:
The opening lines to "Free Bird," "If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?" came from the girlfriend of Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins, who asked him that question during an argument.
The chorus in "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire is "Bada-Ya, dancing in September." Group leader Maurice White left it "Bada-Ya" instead of a real word because he never let a lyric get in the way of a groove.
"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.
"Aberdeen" by Cage The Elephant is named after the birthplace of Kurt Cobain. It's in Grays Harbor County, Washington.
Sia Furler originally sent "Pretty Hurts" to Katy Perry, but she didn't see the email, so Beyonce ended up recording it instead.
"True" by Spandau Ballet is about chief songwriter Gary Kemp's unrequited love for Altered Images singer and Gregory's Girl star Clare Grogan.
Tim and his brother Richard are the Furs' foundation; Tim explains how they write and tells the story of "Pretty In Pink."
Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.
On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.
In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.
"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.
Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."