Eric Clapton wrote "Wonderful Tonight" while waiting for his girlfriend, Pattie Boyd, to get ready for a night out. By the time she was ready, he had written the song.
Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is about their founding member Syd Barrett, who became an acid casualty. Notice the S-Y-D in the title.
The songwriting team Leiber and Stoller wrote "Hound Dog" for a blues singer named Big Mama Thronton, who first recorded the song in 1953. Elvis covered it in 1956, and it became his biggest hit.
Don McLean's "American Pie" starts in mono and gradually goes to stereo. It isn't full stereo until the end of the song, which is over 8 minutes long.
Part of the "Cruel to Be Kind" video was shot during Nick Lowe and Carlene Carter's wedding.
Judas Priest's "Evening Star" is a Christmas carol that describes the journey of the Magi from a first person perspective.
Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.
A band so baffling, even their names were contrived. Check your score in the Ramones version of Fact or Fiction.
The good doctor shares some candid insights on recording with Phil Spector and The Black Keys.
Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.
Many unusual folks appear in Grateful Dead songs. Can you identify them?
The Celtic music maker Loreena McKennitt on finding musical inspiration, the "New Age" label, and working on the movie Tinker Bell.