Michael Jackson's "Human Nature" was written by the keyboard player from Toto, who was working on the Thriller album.
"How To Save A Life" by The Fray was inspired by a teenager lead singer Isaac Slade mentored at a camp for troubled youth in Colorado.
"Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" is about a guy Jim Croce met in the National Guard, which Jim joined to keep him out of Vietnam. Leroy went AWOL, but got caught when he tried to pick up his paycheck.
Elton John's songwriting partner Bernie Taupin wrote the original lyrics for Starship's "We Built This City." It was the first Hot 100 Top 10 hit Taupin wrote without John.
"Are You Gonna Go My Way" by Lenny Kravitz is from the perspective of Jesus Christ: "I am the chosen I'm the one."
"Paranoid" reflects a feeling Black Sabbath bass player Geezer Butler often felt after using drugs.
In 1986, a Stephen King novella was made into a movie, with a classic song serving as title, soundtrack and tone.
A song he wrote and recorded from "sheer spiritual inspiration," Allen's didn't think "Southern Nights" had hit potential until Glen Campbell took it to #1 two years later.
These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.
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."
On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.
When you free your mind, your ass may follow, but you have to make sure someone else doesn't program it while it's wide open.