"Stand By Me" hit #4 in the US when it was released in 1961, then went to #9 in 1986 when it was used in the movie of the same name.
The original "Venus" was a #1 hit for the Dutch band Shocking Blue. Listen to the first line and you'll hear a muffed word: "goddess" was sung as "goddness."
"Reasons" by Earth, Wind & Fire is a popular wedding song, but it's actually about a one-night stand.
"Midnight Train To Georgia" was originally "Midnight Plane To Houston," but was changed to sound more R&B.
Alfonso Ribeiro's "Carlton Dance" was inspired by Bruce Springsteen and Courteney Cox' dance moves in the "Dancing In The Dark" video.
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.
Joe talks about the challenges of of making a Duke Ellington tribute album, and tells the stories behind some of his hits.
How a country weeper and a blues number made "rolling stone" the most popular phrase in rock.
Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."
A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.
The story of the legendary lupine DJ through the songs he inspired.
Tyler talks about his true love: songwriting. How he identifies the beauty in a melody and turns sorrow into art.