When The Kinks released "Lola," most people didn't realize Lola was a man. "I was dancing with this beautiful blonde, then we went out into the daylight and I saw her stubble," Ray Davies said of the inspiration.

Van Morrison's "Brown Eyed Girl" was originally called "Brown Skinned Girl," and was about an interracial relationship.

Pitbull is the lead artist on his Kesha collaboration "Timber," a #1 hit in 2014, but he only raps for about a minute on the song - Kesha does most of the work.
The guys who wrote "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" had never been to a baseball game but knew it was a good song topic.

The Hall & Oates hit "Everything Your Heart Desires" has no rhymes.
Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.
One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.
Established as a redoubtable singer-songwriter, the Men At Work frontman explains how religion, sobriety and Jack Nicholson play into his songwriting.
Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.
With his X-wife Exene, John fronts the band X and writes their songs.