Lucinda Williams' track "Compassion" is based on a poem by her father, lauded Arkansas poet Miller Williams.
Duran Duran's "Wild Boys" is based on the book of the same name by William Burroughs.
The party tune "Mambo No 5 (A Little Bit Of)" was the theme song for the 2000 Democratic Convention (the party of Bill Clinton), until someone noticed the line, "A little bit of Monica in my life."
"Zombie" by The Cranberries is about an IRA bombing in England that killed two children.
Don't play "I Will Always Love You" at your wedding - Dolly Parton wrote it about leaving someone behind to strike out on her own.
Neil Young later apologized for "Southern Man," calling it "accusatory and condescending" in its portrayal of the American South.
Laura Nyro talks about her complex, emotionally rich songwriting and how she supports women's culture through her art.
"Mr. Jones" took on new meaning when the song about a misguided view of fame made Adam famous.
The Christian rapper talks about where his trip to Haiti and his history of addiction fit into his songs.
David Gray explains the significance of the word "Babylon," and talks about how songs are a form of active imagination, with lyrics that reveal what's inside us.
Was Janet secretly married at 18? Did she gain 60 pounds for a movie role that went to Mariah Carey? See what you know about Ms. Jackson.
An Electronic music pioneer with Asperger's Syndrome. This could be interesting.