Pat Benatar's "Hit Me With Your Best Shot" was written by a guy named Eddie after going through a weird therapy session where he punched pillows to get out his aggressions.
Kelly Clarkson's coronation song when she won American Idol in 2002 was "A Moment Like This," which was released as her first single and went to #1. Every finalist that season recorded the song in case they won.
Jeff Lynne sang the word "groose" in the chorus of "Don't Bring Me Down" as a nonsense placeholder, but left it in when he found out it means "greetings" in German ("gruss").
"I Got You Babe" made Sonny Bono the only person to perform on a #1 hit and also get elected to congress.
"Master Blaster (Jammin')" is Stevie Wonder's tribute to Bob Marley, released less than a year before Marley died.
"1979" by Smashing Pumpkins is about Billy Corgan entering adulthood. A more accurate year would be 1983, but 1979 was easier to rhyme.
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."
Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.
The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.
The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.
Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.
The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.