"Stay" by Shakespears Sister is based on a 1953 B-movie called Cat-Women Of The Moon.
The Creedence Clearwater Revival song "Fortunate Son" is about how the Vietnam war was being fought by soldiers without the privilege or connections to get out of it. "It's the old saying about rich men making war and poor men having to fight them," John Fogerty said.
Tim McGraw recorded "Live Like You Were Dying" just two weeks after his own father passed away.
Snow Patrol had a huge hit in 2006 with the love song "Chasing Cars." The title alludes to how dogs chase cars just for the thrill of it, the same way two people deeply in love will embark on open-ended adventures, content to be in each others' company with no clear destination.
"Crazy Train" by Ozzy Osbourne is about the Cold War concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (M.A.D.) should any nuclear missile be fired.
In Belgium, where the Battle of Waterloo took place, "Waterloo" by ABBA was a huge hit, #1 for five weeks.
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.
Where words like "email," "thirsty," "Twitter" and "gangsta" first showed up in songs, and which songs popularized them.
The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.
The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.
An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.
Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.