R.E.M. got the title "Shiny Happy People" from a Chinese propaganda poster.
When Metallica performed in China in 2013, they were not allowed to play "Master of Puppets."
MTV wanted Weezer to record a version of their song "Hash Pipe" as "Half Pipe" to appeal to the skateboarding crowd. The band refused, and MTV listed the song as "H*** Pipe."
The Matchbox Twenty song "3 AM" is about the difficult times lead singer Rob Thomas spent caring for his mother, who had cancer.
"The Cave" by Mumford & Sons is based on the philosophy of Plato and his work called "Allegory of the Cave."
"Burning Down The House" by Talking Heads was inspired by chant band members heard at a P-Funk show where the crowd yelled, "burn down the house... burn down the house."
The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.
An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.
Just like Darrin was replaced on Bewitched, groups have swapped out original members, hoping we wouldn't notice.
Here is the church, here is the steeple - see if you can identify these lyrics that reference church.
Director Mark Pellington on Pearl Jam's "Jeremy," and music videos he made for U2, Jon Bon Jovi and Imagine Dragons.
Dean wrote the screenplay and lyrics to all the songs in Footloose. His other hits include "Fame" and "All The Man That I Need."