Music
How a Beyoncé Song Changed Rihanna’s Life
When Rihanna was still part of a girl group, she auditioned for a producer by singing a song by Beyoncé. The producer went on to write Rihanna hits.
Posts From Author
Music
John Lennon Felt He Wrote the 1st Feminist Song
John Lennon was a musical genius, but he said plenty of ridiculous things, such as that he wrote the first feminist song. No, he didn't.
Music
How ‘Beetlejuice’ Inspired Rihanna’s ‘Pon de Replay’
Rihanna's "Pon de Replay" is completely different from the campy, Gothic vibes of 'Beetlejuice'. Because the world is full of surprises, 'Beetlejuice' still managed to inspire Rihanna's song.
Music
1 John Lennon Song Is a Criticism of His Fan’s Fantasies About Him
One of John Lennon's songs sounds relaxing but it was actually an angry response the to popular perception of him. He felt that outsiders didn't understand who he really was.
Music
John Lennon Had Issues With His Mother
Some Beatles fans might be surprised to know that John Lennon's mother, Julia Lennon, did not raise him. Instead, he was raised by his aunt, Mimi Smith.
Music
Jay-Z Made Rihanna Cry After 1 Song Flopped
Jay-Z wasn't too impressed with Rihanna after one of her songs failed. A dance track changed everything for Rihanna.
Music
John Lennon Insisted The Beatles’ ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’ Wasn’t About His Ego
The Beatles' "Strawberry Fields Forever" is fantastical, but it was actually a personal statement from John Lennon. The track became a hit again when a synth-pop group covered it.
Music
Paul McCartney Added a Line About Starvation to The Beatles’ ‘When I’m Sixty-Four’
Paul McCartney said The Beatles’ "When I'm Sixty-Four" was inspired by old-school songs he and John Lennon appreciated so much. John said he never could have written "When I'm Sixty-Four."
Music
Rihanna Felt Her 1st Hit Song Sounded ‘Like a Nursery Rhyme’
Rihanna wasn't too impressed with the song "Pon de Replay" when she heard it over the phone. The charts proved her wrong.
Music
The Writer of Elvis Presley’s ‘Don’t Cry Daddy’ Didn’t Get It
Elvis Presley's "Don't Cry Daddy" was written by a country musician who wrote songs for numerous other stars. "Don't Cry Daddy" appeared on one of the singer's most important records.
Music
Taylor Swift’s ‘The Man’ Is Similar to a Beyoncé Song
Taylor Swift’s “The Man” has the feel of a gender-bending Beyoncé song. A 1980s hair-metal song paved the way for both tunes.
Music
The Writer of ‘A Little Less Conversation’ Felt Elvis Presley Sang It Wrong
Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation" remains one of his most beloved songs. The country star who wrote it wasn't a big fan of Elvis’ take on it.
Music
Paul McCartney ‘Didn’t Know’ What He Was Doing When He Wrote The Beatles’ ‘Love Me Do’
The Beatles' "Love Me Do" is perfect in its simplicity. John Lennon said the tune was markedly different from later Beatles tunes like "Penny Lane."
Music
A Country Star ‘Hardly’ Remembered Writing This Elvis Song
A country singer once wrote the title song of one of Elvis Presley's Western movies. The track barely sounds like an Elvis song.
Music
Yoko Ono Compared The Beatles to Psychic Mediums
Yoko Ono spoke of The Beatles in supernatural terms, saying they were like mystics who could conjure ghosts. She also explained why the Fab Four had such chemistry.
Music
John Lennon Didn’t Want to ‘Overblow’ The Beatles’ Importance
In an oddball metaphor, John Lennon compared The Beatles to flags on top of a boat. However, he said the Fab Four weren't the ones getting the boat to move.
Music
Elvis Presley Sang ‘Don’t Cry Daddy’ For His Dad
Elvis Presley sang “Don’t Cry Daddy” for his dad to comfort him after his wife died. The tune was released alongside a funk song.
Music
Elvis Presley’s ‘In the Ghetto’ Was Partly About His Love for His Mom
Elvis Presley changed "In the Ghetto" to be more about a mom. Here's what the song's writer thought of the change.
Music
How the Vietnam War Inspired Elvis Presley’s ‘Don’t Cry Daddy’
Elvis Presley's "Don't Cry Daddy" doesn't sound like a political song. However, it was inspired by a dark day in American history, specifically an event from the Vietnam War.
Music
Elvis’ Songwriter Shot Down the Rumor That ‘In the Ghetto’ Was Meant for Sammy Davis Jr.
Elvis Presley's "In the Ghetto" is one of his most famous songs. The writer of the song revealed why he thought the track would have worked for Sammy Davis Jr.
