There really is a China Grove (in Texas), but Tom Johnston didn't know about it when he wrote the Doobie Brothers song.
Stephens Stills played timbales on the Bee Gees hit, "You Should Be Dancing." He was in the next door studio laying down a Crosby, Stills and Nash album and could hear Saturday Night Fever being recorded. Stills recognized its potential to be a monster hit and he wanted to contribute.
"Panama" by Van Halen is not about the country or the canal, but about a stripper David Lee Roth met in Arizona.
The first big hit by an X Factor winner was "Bleeding Love" by Leona Lewis, who won the British version of the show in 2008. The song was intended for Jesse McCartney, who wrote it with Ryan Tedder.
"Baby Got Back" isn't just a booty song. According to Sir Mix-A-Lot, it's about "lack of acceptance by Hollywood of the African-American body."
When the Elvis stamps came out in 1993, lots of folks used them to mail letters with bad addresses so they would be Returned To Sender.
Howard explains his positive songwriting method and how uplifting songs can carry a deeper message.
One of the first successful female singer-songwriters, Janis had her first hit in 1967 at age 15.
Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.
How well do you know your protest songs (including the one that went to #1)?
The trail runs from flying saucer songs in the '50s, through Bowie, blink-182 and Katy Perry.
Sheryl Crow's longtime songwriting partner/guitarist Jeff Trott reveals the stories behind many of the singer's hits, and what its like to be a producer for Leighton Meester and Max Gomez.