John Lennon got the title of the Beatles song "Happiness Is A Warm Gun" from an article in a magazine published by the National Rifle Association.
The 1984 Anthrax song "Metal Thrashing Mad" popularized the phrase "thrash metal," a faster version of heavy metal. "Thrash" dates back to 1982 though, when Metallica put the lyric "thrashing all around" in their song "Whiplash."
"Paranoid" reflects a feeling Black Sabbath bass player Geezer Butler often felt after using drugs.
"Oh Happy Day" by The Edwin Hawkins Singers was recorded in a church and sold to raise money for the choir. It's the only genuine gospel song to become a pop hit, reaching #4 in 1969.
Thanks to the line "shake it like a Polaroid picture," Outkast's "Hey Ya!" made Polaroid cameras cool again. Many other artists have since mentioned Polaroid in their lyrics, including Eminem, Imagine Dragons, Keith Urban, Gorillaz and Tim McGraw.
On Metallica's "The Unforgiven," James Hetfield modeled his vocals on Chris Isaak.
From "Some Day My Prince Will Come" to "Let It Go" - how Disney princess songs (and the women who sing them) have evolved.
The 10 biggest "retirement tours" that didn't take.
Evelyn McDonnell, editor of the book Women Who Rock, on why the Supremes are just as important as Bob Dylan.
Songwriters have used cards and card games to make sense of heartache, togetherness, and even Gonorrhea.
Switchfoot's frontman and main songwriter on what inspires the songs and how he got the freedom to say exactly what he means.
Hitmaker Carl Sturken on writing and producing for Rihanna, 'N Sync, Christina Aguilera, Kelly Clarkson, Donny Osmond, Shakira and Karyn White.