The hit duet "Somewhere Out There" was written for an animated film about a family of immigrant mice who lose one of their young.
The Phoenix song "1901" is about Paris. Their lead singer Thomas Mars said: "Paris in 1901 was better than it is now. So the song is a fantasy about Paris."
Train wrote the 2011 song "Brand New Book" for the TV show The Biggest Loser - part of the song was used in the opening credits.
Often heard as a patriotic song celebrating their homeland of Australia, "Down Under" by Men At Work is really about the selling of that country, and it makes a strong political statement.
"Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses is about Erin Everly, who was Axl Rose's girlfriend at the time. She is the daughter of Don Everly of the Everly Brothers.
The opening lines to "Free Bird," "If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?" came from the girlfriend of Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Allen Collins, who asked him that question during an argument.
The drummer for Anthrax is also a key songwriter. He explains how the group puts their songs together and tells the stories behind some of their classics.
Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.
Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.
In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.
Phone booths are nearly extinct, but they provided storylines for some of the most profound songs of the pre-cell phone era.
Julian tells the stories behind his hits "Valotte" and "Too Late for Goodbyes," and fills us in on his many non-musical pursuits. Also: what MTV meant to his career.