Al Gore chose an inspiring but obscure campaign song when he ran for president in 2000: "Let The Day Begin" by The Call.
"The Way" by Fastball was inspired by the story of an elderly couple from Texas who drove to a nearby family reunion and kept going. Fastball's bass player imagined them taking off and having fun like they were young. The story didn't end well: the couple was later found dead after they crashed in a canyon.
"Heaven" by The Psychedelic Furs sounds upbeat, but is about an impending nuclear bombardment.
"True" by Spandau Ballet is about chief songwriter Gary Kemp's unrequited love for Altered Images singer and Gregory's Girl star Clare Grogan.
Bruce Sprinsteen said "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" was "the best love song I ever wrote."
"London Calling" by The Clash was written amid widespread fears that the Thames River was going to flood the city.
He wrote "She Blinded Me With Science" so he could direct a video about a home for deranged scientists.
With a few clues (Works at a diner, dreams of running away), can you name the character in the song?
Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.
Michelle Branch talks about "Everywhere," "The Game Of Love," and her run-in with a Christian broadcasting network.
A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.
A selection of songs made to be terrible - some clearly achieved that goal.
