
"Paper Planes" was inspired by M.I.A.'s hassles trying to get a visa to enter America.

Bob Dylan's original version of "Mr. Tambourine Man," released on his album Bringing It All Back Home, has no tambourine, just guitars and harmonica.

Sheryl Crow's "Soak Up The Sun" isn't as lighthearted as it seems: the song deals with the prevailing head-in-the-sand reaction to climate change.

"Dark Fantasy" by Kanye West opens with a reinterpretation of Cinderella as read by Nicki Minaj.

Jay-Z's version of "99 Problems" is a cover of a 1993 song by Ice-T with the lyrics changed to be about Jay's rise to fame.

Pete Townshend wrote The Who's "Pinball Wizard" to coax a good review for the Tommy album out of a rock critic who loved pinball. It worked.
How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?
Joe talks about the challenges of of making a Duke Ellington tribute album, and tells the stories behind some of his hits.
These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.
The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.
Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.
Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.