Punctuation makes all the difference. When "Stop. Hammer Time" becomes "Stop Hammer Time," it's a great slogan for those little strips that stick to your wall for hanging small objects. Hammer, a prolific pitchman who has also sold Starburst and Nationwide Insurance, appeared in TV spots for the product, where we learn that "Hammer hates nails."
Madonna's hit "Don't Tell Me" was written by her brother-in-law, Joe Henry, who has produced albums by Hugh Laurie and Bonnie Raitt.
Joni Mitchell wrote "Woodstock" - the most popular song about the festival - but didn't attend the event because she was booked on The Dick Cavett Show.
Radiohead's "Paraonid Android" was written after a confrontation in a Los Angeles bar with an irate woman.
John Lennon got the title of the Beatles song "Happiness Is A Warm Gun" from an article in a magazine published by the National Rifle Association.
The Mary J. Blige song "No More Drama" samples the theme to the appropriately dramatic soap opera The Young And The Restless.
"Should I Stay or Should I Go?" by The Clash features some Spanish lines by the Texas singer Joe Ely.
First question: Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson appeared in videos for what artist?
In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.
With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The drummer and one of the primary songwriters in Grand Funk talks rock stardom and Todd Rundgren.
The lead singer on "Da Doo Ron Ron" and "Then He Kissed Me," La La explains how and why Phil Spector replaced The Crystals with Darlene Love on "He's A Rebel."
How a goofy detective movie, a disenchanted director and an unlikely songwriter led to one of the biggest hits in pop history.