Pharrell wasn't so happy with the election results when Donald Trump won in 2016. The campaign was deeply divisive, leaving the United States more riven than happy. Esquire followed Pharrell as he begrudgingly stumped for Trump's challenger, Hillary Clinton, and put him on the cover in their first issue after the results were in.
"Mercedes Boy" by Pebbles is about a real guy she fell in love with - they both drove Mercedes when she wrote it.
"Ghosttown" was Madonna's 45th chart-topper on the Dance Club Songs chart, breaking the record for the most #1s an artist has tallied on a single Billboard chart.
Neil Diamond wrote "I'm A Believer" early in his career. It was a hit for The Monkees and revived by Smash Mouth in 2001 for the movie Shrek, helping make Diamond cool again.
The You Me at Six song "The Dilemma" got its title from the Vince Vaughn movie of the same name.
"Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who is about a revolution, but it doesn't have a happy ending, since in the end the new regime becomes just like the old one. Pete Townshend thought that whoever was in power was destined to become corrupt.
The Annie Lennox hit "No More I Love You's" is a cover, originally sung by a man.
JJ talks about The Stranglers' signature sound - keyboard and bass - which isn't your typical strain of punk rock.
An interview with Frankie Valli, who talks about why his songs - both solo and with The Four Seasons - have endured, and reflects on his time as Rusty Millio on The Sopranos.
The Stooges guitarist (and producer of the Kill City album) talks about those early recordings and what really happened with David Bowie.
Tom talks about the evolution of Cinderella's songs through their first three albums, and how he writes as a solo artist.
A history of songs dealing with transgender issues, featuring Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Morrissey and Green Day.
