Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin got the name "Levon" from Levon Helm, who was the drummer in The Band.
Al Green's "Take Me to the River" describes a baptism. Two years later, he became a reverend.
Sarah McLachlan wrote "Angel" about the Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin, who overdosed on heroin and died in 1996.
An unknown Ke$ha sang on Flo-Rida's #1 hit "Right Round," but refused to appear in the video because she wanted to make a name for herself.
The Lady Gaga/Beyoncé collaboration "Telephone" isn't just about turning down an unwanted caller, it's an analog for how Gaga was feeling overwhelmed, like a phone was always ringing in her head.
"Stay" by Shakespears Sister is based on a 1953 B-movie called Cat-Women Of The Moon.
Collaborating with T Bone Burnett, Leslie Phillips changed her name and left her Christian label behind - Robert Plant, who recorded one of her songs on Raising Sand, is a fan.
Just how much did these monsters of rock dabble in the occult?
In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.
Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.
"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.
