• March 23, 1967
• Her parents divorced when she was 16. Instead of living with either of them, she moved to New York City on her own.
• Poe graduated from Princeton. She got a full scholorship because she was an emancipated teenager, meaning she got no financial support from her parents. She used the music studios at Princeton to develop her production skills. She formed various bands at this time.
• She was deeply affected by the death of her father in 1993. Many of her songs are about him.
• Poe recorded her second album, Haunted, on her computer, which wasn't common in 2000. This allowed her to lay down tracks and change them at will, which seems quaint now, but was a big deal at the time.
• Poe was one of the first artists to use the internet to promote her music. The rise of her music career coincided with the rise of the internet.
• Her real name is Annie Danielewski. When she was about 10 she was captivated by Edgar Allen Poe's short story The Masque Of The Red Death, so when her parents took her to a costume party, she dressed up as death. "I was right at the age when you're starting to get morbid and thinking your parents are stupid," she told the New York Daily News. "I named myself Poe to give everyone a hint."
• Poe released albums in 1995 and 2000, and then ran into problems with her label, Atlantic Records. She remained very quiet in the ensuing years, as it appeared she was restricted from releasing music for any other label.

Comments: 2

• Mary from Phoenix, AzThat was actually funny, Peanut!
• Peanut from Pomonkey, MdShe makes so much money now that she is going to change her name from Poe to Rich.

More Songfacts:

Big Yellow TaxiJoni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell's "Big Yellow Taxi" is about the commercialization of Hawaii. On her first trip to the islands, she looked out of her hotel window and saw a parking lot as far as the eye could see.

We're Not Gonna Take ItTwisted Sister

Musically, the Twisted Sister song "We're Not Gonna Take It" is based on the Christmas tune "O Come All Ye Faithful."

The FlameCheap Trick

Cheap Trick hated the ballad "The Flame" but recorded it because they needed a hit, and the song delivered, going to #1.

The BestTina Turner

"The Best" by Tina Turner was originally recorded by Bonnie Tyler; Turner's hit version added a bridge and a saxophone solo by Edgar Winter.

RoyalsLorde

Lorde was 16 years and 11 months old when "Royals" topped the Hot 100. In doing so she became the youngest ever solo artist to write and perform a #1 hit.

GreaseFrankie Valli

The song "Grease," sung by Frankie Valli in the 1978 movie, was written by Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees.

Editor's Picks

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.

Brian Kehew: The Man Behind The RemastersSong Writing

Brian has unearthed outtakes by Fleetwood Mac, Aretha Franklin, Elvis Costello and hundreds of other artists for reissues. Here's how he does it.

Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet SprocketSongwriter Interviews

The "All I Want" singer went through a long depression, playing some shows when he didn't want to be alive.

Marvin GayeFact or Fiction

Did Marvin try out with the Detroit Lions? Did he fake crazy to get out of military service? And what about the cross-dressing?

Steve Morse of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple's guitarist since 1994, Steve talks about writing songs with the band and how he puts his own spin on "Smoke On The Water."

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: '80s EditionMusic Quiz

You know the scenes - Tom Cruise in his own pants-off dance off, Molly Ringwald celebrating her birthday - but do you remember what song is playing?