Scott McCarl, who joined the Raspberries for their last album and co-wrote "Play On" with Eric Carmen. He did just occasional songwriting after the group broke up, but released a solo album in 1998 that he titled Play On, after this song. Re-issued in 2022, it features contributions from Hilly Michaels, Michael Purkhiser, and members of the Rubinoos.
"The Battle of Evermore" is the only song Zeppelin ever recorded with a guest vocalist. It features Sandy Denny from Fairport Convention duetting with Robert Plant.
Paul McCartney wrote "Ebony and Ivory," his duet with Stevie Wonder, after a tiff with his wife Linda. "It was like, 'Why can't we get it together- our piano can,'" he explained.
"Virginia" in "Only The Good Die Young" is named after a real girl Billy Joel was trying to impress.
Scott Stapp of Creed wrote "With Arms Wide Open" when he found out he was going to be a dad. He named his son Jagger.
The "pompatus of love" from the Steve Miller song "The Joker" comes from a line in a '50s doo-wop song Miller misheard: "puppetutes of love."
The Hollies' 1967 hit "Carrie Anne" is about the British singer-actress Marianne Faithfull, but with "Marianne" changed to "Carrie-Anne" to disguise it. Faithfull dated Allan Clarke of The Hollies.
Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.
Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.
The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.
On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.
When he joined Guns N' Roses in 1990, Matt helped them craft an orchestral sound; his mezzo fortes and pianissimos are all over "November Rain."
Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.