Mariah Carey's song "The Roof" is about her first kiss with Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.
Pink Floyd's "Run Like Hell" was released as a single in America because it has a catchy beat, but the lyrics describe a reign of terror instigated by the despot Pink, the main character in the concept album The Wall.
Despite his hit "Forever In Blue Jeans," Neil Diamond was rarely seen in denim. He said the jeans are a symbol for how "the simple things are really the important things."
References to David Bowie, Tom Waits and Allan Ginsburg are peppered into the Bush song "Everything Zen."
"Take Me Home Country Roads" is set in West Virginia, but John Denver had never been there when he recorded the song. The country roads represent a sense of belonging.
The chorus of "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir" in "Lady Marmalade" is French for "Do you want to sleep with me tonight?" When Labelle performed it on television, they had to change it to "Voulez-vous danser avec moi ce soir" (Do you want to dance with me tonight?).
From the cowbell on "Mississippi Queen" to recording with The Who when they got the wrong Felix, stories from one of rock's master craftsmen.
The longtime bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire discusses how his band came to do a holiday album, and offers insight into some of the greatest dance/soul tunes of all-time.
The Christian rapper talks about where his trip to Haiti and his history of addiction fit into his songs.
How did The Edge get his name? Did they name a song after a Tolkien book? And who is "Angel of Harlem" about?
Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.
Untangling the events that led to the "Stairway To Heaven" lawsuit.