Pete Townshend wrote the lyrics for "My Generation" by The Who during a train ride from London to Southampton on his 20th birthday when he was thinking about "trying to find a place in society."
Pink Floyd's "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is about their founding member Syd Barrett, who became an acid casualty. Notice the S-Y-D in the title.
The title "25 Or 6 To 4" by Chicago refers to the time it was written: either 25 minutes to 4 (3:35) or 26 (3:34).
The bedrock of David Guetta's Nicki Minaj-featuring single "Hey Mama" is a sample of "Rosie," a 1940s prison recording from folk archivist Alan Lomax that songwriter Esther Dean first showed the French DJ on YouTube.
"Paper Planes" was inspired by M.I.A.'s hassles trying to get a visa to enter America.
Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.
A popular contemporary folk singer, Williams still remembers the sticky note that changed her life in college.
Kevin Godley talks about directing classic videos for The Police, U2 and Duran Duran, and discusses song and videos he made with 10cc and Godley & Creme.
"Missing You" was a spontaneous outpouring of emotion triggered by a phone call. John tells that story and explains what MTV meant to his career.
If the name Citizen Dick means anything to you, there's a chance you'll get some of these right.
Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.
