Sia Furler wrote "Titanium" and wanted to give the tune to Katy Perry. She turned it down, so David Guetta recorded it instead using Sia's original demo guide vocal. It became a big hit, especially in the UK, where it went to #1.
"All Star" was written as a confidence builder for fans who were bullied for liking Smash Mouth.
"I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash was the first reggae song to hit #1 in America on the Hot 100.
Eddie Van Halen played the guitar solo on "Beat It" as a favor to Quincy Jones, who produced the album.
"Paranoid" reflects a feeling Black Sabbath bass player Geezer Butler often felt after using drugs.
"No Scrubs" introduced the term "scrub" to the popular lexicon, and defined it in the opening lines ("a scrub is a guy that think he's fine...").
Is Owl City on a quest for another hit like "Fireflies?" Adam answers that question and explains the influences behind many others.
Daryl Hall's TV show is a hit, and he's been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - only one of these developments excites him.
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.
Taylor talks about "The Machine" - the hits, the videos and Clive Davis.
The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.
Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."