There really is a China Grove (in Texas), but Tom Johnston didn't know about it when he wrote the Doobie Brothers song.
The 1984 Anthrax song "Metal Thrashing Mad" popularized the phrase "thrash metal," a faster version of heavy metal. "Thrash" dates back to 1982 though, when Metallica put the lyric "thrashing all around" in their song "Whiplash."
Rod Stewart wrote "Maggie May" about the woman who deflowered him when he was 16.
Bob Seger's "Against The Wind" has the famous mind-bending line, "Wish I didn't know now what I didn't know then." Seger was going to cut it, but his Eagles buddies Glenn Frey and Don Henley told him it was the best line in the song.
"All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey was the first ringtone certified Gold.
When singing "Cradle Of Love," Billy Idol typically changes a line to, "This song is so cheesy."
The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.
Have you got the smarts to know which of these graduation song stories are real?
The hitmaking songwriter/producer Sam Hollander with stories about songs for Weezer, Panic! At The Disco, Train, Pentatonix, and Fitz And The Tantrums.
Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?
Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.
One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.