The Hollies hit "The Air That I Breathe" was written in part as a reaction to the smog in Los Angeles.
"Babylon," in David Gray's song, refers to London, which was once known as the "modern-day Babylon."
All The Young Dudes "carry the news" because it was intended for a David Bowie concept album where Ziggy Stardust spreads the news in a world with electricity.
"Closing Time" by Semisonic was written by the lead singer when his wife was pregnant. Some of the lyrics are about being born.
Elton John's "Rocket Man" is based on a Ray Bradbury story called The Rocket Man published in 1951.
Paul McCartney wrote "Blackbird" in Scotland after reading about race riots in the US, triggered when federal courts forced the racial desegregation of the Arkansas capital's school system.
The top chant artist in the Western world, Krishna Das talks about how these Hindu mantras compare to Christian worship songs.
Dwarfs on stage with an oversize Stonehenge set? Dabbling in Satanism? Find out which Spinal Tap-moments were true for Black Sabbath.
Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.
Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.
The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."
With the band in danger of being dropped from their label, Alice Cooper drummer Neal Smith co-wrote the song that started their trek from horror show curiosity to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.