Matthew Trzcinski

Broadway / Music

U2’s Bono Wrote a Song About Spider-Man That Was Supposed to Make Fans Cry

U2's Bono and The Edge wanted to write an anthemic song for a Spider-Man musical. The song was supposed to be as good as one of Bono's favorite songs ever, which is a Roger and Hammerstein track. Bono's Spider-Man anthem hit the Billboard Hot 100.

Music

Bruce Springsteen Gave ‘Because the Night’ to Patti Smith and She Didn’t Want to Sing It

Patti Smith didn't want to sing a song Bruce Springsteen co-wrote. She later changed her mind. Smith contributed lyrics to the finished version of the song. The track became a hit in the United States and the United Kingdom. A 1990s band covered the song and its rendition became an even bigger hit.

Music

The Beatles: George Harrison Said His Follow-up to ‘Here Comes the Sun’ Sent Him to a ‘Dream World’

George Harrison discussed one of his songs when he appeared on a program with Michael Jackson. George said he was hesitant to write a followup song to The Beatles' "Here Comes the Sun," but he did so anyway. George released his followup to "Here Comes the Sun" on a hit album.

Music

This Rock Star Covered an Elvis Presley Song About Talking Shrimp

One of Elvis Presley's movies includes an infamous song about talking shrimp. The track appeared on a darkly comedic bootleg album. The song was later covered by a singer from a 1990s rock band who made the song sadder. The cover was not a hit.

Music

George Harrison Felt He Couldn’t Beat the Riff from This Rolling Stones Song

The Beatles' George Harrison said one member of The Rolling Stones was incredibly talented. The former Beatle really liked the riff from one of The Rolling Stones' most famous songs. This song became a No. 1 hit in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Music

Tom Petty Wrote ‘Free Fallin” in 30 Minutes to Amuse This Rock Star

Tom Petty was in a band called the Traveling Wilburys with fellow rock stars Roy Orbison, George Harrison, Bob Dylan, and Jeff Lynne. Petty wrote "Free Fallin'" to amuse one of his bandmates. "Free Fallin'" became a hit in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Music

Doja Cat and SZA’s ‘Kiss Me More’ and Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa’s ‘Prisoner’ Sample the Same Song

A major star thought one of her 1980s songs may have gone "too far." Doja Cat and SZA's "Kiss Me More" and Miley Cyrus and Dua Lipa's "Prisoner" both sample that song. Both of the latter two songs became hits in the United States, though one was far more popular than the other.

Movies / Music

Elvis Presley’s Co-Star Said She’d Rather Starve Than Appear in This Movie With Him

Elvis Presley appeared in a movie called 'Girls! Girls! Girl!' with a famous actor. She didn't want to appear in the movie with him, but she was ultimately persuaded to do so. The film gave the world the classic hit song "Return to Sender," which was popular internationally.

Music

Nickelback: Chad Kroeger Called the Band’s Only No. 1 Song ‘Revenge’ Against His Girlfriend

One of Nickelback's classic songs outperformed all the rest in the United States. The song was partly inspired by an argument Chad Kroeger had with his girlfriend. Not every member of Nickelback wanted the song to be a single, but it became an international hit.

Music

Katy Perry ‘Secretly’ Sang Backup Vocals on This Britney Spears Song

Katy Perry sang backup vocals on a Britney Spears song that had to be lyrically toned down so it could appear in 'The Smurfs 2.' Spears appeared in the music video for the song with her sons. The track charted in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Music

One Direction: Someone Stole the Demo of Their Song ‘Little Things’ from Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran wrote a number of songs with Fiona Bevan, including One Direction's "Little Things." Someone stole the demo of the song, but Sheeran was able to recreate it. "Little Things" was a hit in the United States and the United Kingdom. It changed Bevan's life forever.

Music

John Lennon’s Son Thought This Elvis Presley Song Was About Hunting

The Beatles' John Lennon pointed to two Elvis Presley songs that exemplified the King of Rock 'n' Roll's "great period." John said his son, Sean Ono Lennon, misunderstood an Elvis song. That song became a massive hit in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Music

Katy Perry Performed a Song With Elmo That ‘Sesame Street’ Wouldn’t Air

Katy Perry was happy to perform one of her hit songs with 'Sesame Street''s Elmo. Despite this, parents responded to the performance negatively and the segment was never aired on television. The song Perry sang with Elmo became a hit in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Music

The Rolling Stones’ 1st Hit Song Was Written by Chuck Berry

The Rolling Stones' Mick Jagger had mixed feelings about Chuck Berry's songs. Regardless, The Rolling Stones covered one of Berry's songs early in their career. Subsequently, Jagger felt The Rolling Stones should stop covering blues songs. The cover became a hit in the United Kingdom but not the United States.

Music

Kiss’ Ace Frehley Hated That Gene Simmons Made a Song With Helen Reddy

The members of Kiss all released solo albums in 1978. Ace Frehley said Gene Simmons made a mistake when he worked with Helen Reddy on his solo album. The album included a song that became a minor hit in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Music

Jennifer Lopez ‘Lucked Out’ When She Got to Record 2 Songs Lady Gaga Wrote

Jennifer Lopez said she was, in a sense, working on her album 'Love?' since she was 13. She worked with Lady Gaga producer RedOne on some of the songs from 'Love?' Gaga co-wrote two of the songs from 'Love?' 'Love?' became a hit in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Music

Paul Stanley Reveals Why Kiss Was ‘So Much More’ Than Aerosmith

Kiss' Paul Stanley revealed critics did not always appreciate his band. He said his band's closest contemporary was Aerosmith. He said Kiss was so much more than Aerosmith. Both classic rock bands worked with the same producer. Kiss worked with this producer on an album that reunited the group's original line-up.

Music

James Blunt Said ‘You’re Beautiful’ Is a ‘Creepy’ Song Based on a True Story

James Blunt said "You're Beautiful" was inspired by an event from his life. He thinks the song is creepy rather than romantic, as it's about a stalker. Blunt was unprepared for the track's popularity. "You're Beautiful" became a massive hit in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Music

David Bowie’s Hit Song ‘China Girl’ Allowed Iggy Pop to Get Married

During an interview, Iggy Pop revealed David Bowie's "China Girl" had a major impact on his personal life and finances. He also commented on a few of Bowie's cover songs. Bowie’s "China Girl" became a big hit in the United States, as did its parent album, ‘Let’s Dance.’

Music

Kiss’ Ace Frehley Said He Made This Rolling Stones Song ‘Something Special’

Kiss' Ace Frehley credits songs by The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, and other British Invasion bands with saving his life. Kiss covered one of the songs from The Rolling Stones' 'Their Satanic Majesties Request' on the album 'Dynasty.' 'Their Satanic Majesties Request' and 'Dynasty' became hits.