Goya's "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters" provided the title of Mushuggah's song (and album) "The Violent Sleep of Reason." The etching depicts a nightmare, possibly Goya's commentary on the social and political climate in Spain. Mushuggah repurposed it as a look at the horrors in the Middle East.
The You Me at Six song "The Dilemma" got its title from the Vince Vaughn movie of the same name.
David Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust" was likely based on various musicians in his ambit, including Iggy Pop (zIGGY), and Jimi Hendrix, who played guitar left-handed ("He played it left hand").
The song "Don't Worry Be Happy" doesn't use any instruments - it's all Bobby McFerrin using various parts of his body to make the sounds.
When singing "Cradle Of Love," Billy Idol typically changes a line to, "This song is so cheesy."
Billy Joel's song "Allentown" was written as "Levittown," which is the town in Long Island where he grew up. He got the idea to change it after taking a trip to Pennsylvania.
Adele got the title "Rolling In The Deep" from the British saying "Roll Deep," which means to look after someone. She was "rolling deep" with her boyfriend until he betrayed her.
The man who created Yacht Rock with "Sailing" wrote one of his biggest hits while on acid.
Rufus Wainwright on "Hallelujah," his album Unfollow The Rules, and getting into his "lyric trance" on 12-hour walks.
From the lake in "Roundabout" to Sister Bluebird in "Starship Trooper," Jon Anderson talks about how nature and spirituality play into his lyrics for Yes.
Michelob commercials generated hits for Eric Clapton, Genesis and Steve Winwood in the '80s, even as some of these rockers were fighting alcoholism.
After studying in Paris with a famous composition teacher, Charles became the most successful writer of TV theme songs.
Wolfgang Van Halen breaks down the songs on his debut album, Mammoth WVH, and names the definitive Van Halen songs from the Sammy and Dave eras.