In 1939, a polka craze swept America thanks to "Beer Barrel Polka (Roll Out The Barrel)."
Don McLean's "American Pie" starts in mono and gradually goes to stereo. It isn't full stereo until the end of the song, which is over 8 minutes long.
The eerie percussion and guitar for Portsihead's "Sour Times" was sampled from Lalo Schifrin's "Danube Incident," music composed by the Argentine composer for an episode of Mission Impossible.
"Hips Don't Lie" is Shakira's in-studio mantra for her crew: If her hips are moving, the song is working. If not, best to try something else.
Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" was the best-selling song of the 2000s in the US.
Many love songs come back to haunt the singer when the relationship doesn't work out, but "Wish I Knew You" by The Revivalists isn't one of them. Lead singer David Shaw wrote it for his girlfriend, Sam. The song was released in 2015 and they got married in 2022.
Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.
The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.
"Great songwriters don't necessarily have hit songs," says Chris. He's written a bunch, but his fans are more interested in the intricate jams.
Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.
Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.
With Bernie Taupin, Martin co-wrote the #1 hits "We Built This City" and "These Dreams." After writing the Pretty Woman song for Go West, he had his own hit with "In the House of Stone and Light."