Buck Dharma of Blue Oyster Cult wrote "(Don't Fear) The Reaper" after he was diagnosed with a heart condition and started thinking about his own mortality.
The TV show Cheers was nearly canceled after its first season, but the theme song, "Where Everybody Knows Your Name," was very popular. To satisfy viewer demand, the theme was made into a full song and released as a single.
"Walking on a Thin Line" by Huey Lewis and the News is about an American soldier who is trained as a sniper in the Vietnam War. It was written for a documentary on the war.
"Dirty Water" became a Boston sports anthem in the '00s, but it was written by a guy from California after almost getting mugged on a visit to the city.
Mariah Carey's "My All" is about her affair with New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter.
Rod Stewart wrote "Maggie May" about the woman who deflowered him when he was 16.
The rock revolutionist on songwriting, quitting smoking, and what she thinks of Rush Limbaugh using her song.
How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names.
Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.
One of the most successful songwriters in the business, Desmond co-wrote "Livin' La Vida Loca," "Dude (Looks Like A Lady)" and "Livin' On A Prayer."
The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.
The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.