Even casual listeners realize that what gets on the radio is not always the best music out there. For instance, how does one explain the success of Billy Ray Cyrus' "Achy Breaky Heart"? However, it does the heart good whenever the truly talented artists also become the most popular ones. Case in point: Tenth Avenue North.Lead singer and primary songwriter Mike Donehey explains how they wrote t
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It has been a decade since The All-American Rejects emerged with "Swing, Swing," their hyperkinetic debut single on Doghouse Records that got these Oklahomans a deal with DreamWorks. Even though lead singer Tyson Ritter was still a teenager, the label plied them with fancy dinners and trips to strip clubs because that's what record companies did with promising pop-punk bands before the intern
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A look at some of the songs where we hear both sides of the story, with appearances by Gotye, The Beatles, Stevie Nicks and Meat Loaf.He Said She Said Songs
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In early 2001, the future looked bleak for the members of The Used. After dropping out of high school to pursue music, they often found themselves busking for food money. With little resources and no cash, the band recorded an EP called Demos From the Basement which caught the eye of Goldfinger drummer and producer Jon Feldmann. Feldmann saw potential in The Used and took the band under his w
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Rick Davies and Roger Hodgson formed Supertramp in 1969. Most of their songs were written separately. Here, Roger tells the stories behind some of the hits he wrote for the band, including "Give a Little Bit," "Take the Long Way Home," "The Logical Song" and "Breakfast in America."Supertramp Interview
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Gary Lewis and the Playboys had seven Top-10 hits from 1965-1966, including their #1 debut single, "This Diamond Ring." How could this American act battle The Beatles at the peak of the British Invasion? Lots of talent. Their producer Snuff Garrett was brilliant when it came to picking songs and putting people in a position to succeed. Leon Russell, early in his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame car
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Pat Alger wrote a song called "The Thunder Rolls" with a struggling songwriter named Garth Brooks. He also wrote hits for Nanci Griffith, including "Once in a Very Blue Moon" and "Lone Star State of Mind." Pat Alger interview
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Led Zeppelin made their big impact in America opening for Vanilla Fudge, and although Fudge drummer Carmine Appice tells us that stories of Zep "blowing away" their headliners were fabricated, they fared much better than Jimi Hendrix, who suffered the indignity of getting booed by Monkees fans. Most bands have opened for someone at one point or another, and because there are slivers of time
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Richard Marx tells the stories behind some of his biggest hits, and explains how he goes about writing a song.Richard Marx interview
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The pioneering frontman of the bands Black Flag and Circle Jerks is back with his band OFF!. What it's like being an elder rocker, and why he regrets giving that cash to Obama are some of the topics covered in this interview.Keith Morris of OFF!
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Aaron Gillespie pounded the skins as the drummer (and a primary songwriter) for Underoath from 1997 to 2010, which is when he left to concentrate on fronting his more straight ahead rock band, The Almost. With his new solo worship sound, Gillespie hopes to make praise music cool for some of the tattooed and pierced fans who once watched him drum for Underoath.Aaron Gillespie interview
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Timothy B. Schmit is the Eagles' bass player, and also an outstanding singer and songwriter. His work with The Eagles is best exemplified by the song "I Can't Tell You Why," which he co-wrote and sang lead. Although he's best known for being an Eagle, Schmit was also a member of the groundbreaking country-rock band, Poco. He has always been in demand for his high, pure singing voice - listen
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In his talk with Songfacts.com, Chris Isaak tells the story behind his song "Wicked Game," and explains why women always get their way.Chris Isaak Interview
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"Fat Lip" was a long time ago, but Sum 41 is still going strong and reaching a new generation of fans who don't remember much about 2001. The band talks about things are different, yet still the same.Sum 41 interview
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Twin sisters from Australia making pop music in Los Angeles. Jess and Origliasso are The Veronicas. They write most of their own stuff, but got a big contribution from a then-unknown songwriter named Keisha, who later became Ke$ha.The Veronicas
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Dustin Bushnell and Jared Watson of The Dirty Heads talk about how they mellowed out from a wannabe gangsta sound. In this Songfacts interview, they cover some fan favorites, including "Lay Me Down" and "Believe."Dirty Heads interview
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Steve Jobs used his savvy to pick great music for Apple's commercials, using a mix of established acts that fit the philosophy (Coldplay, U2), and unknowns he introduced us to in 30 second increments (Asteroids Galaxy Tour, Yael Naim). Here's a look at the iconic commercials and their songs:Steve Jobs Greatest Hits
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Now branching out to a different kind of writing as a contributor to the Huffington Post, Jon Foreman is finding that there are similarities between a song and an essay. In this interview, he explains the inspiration behind some of the great Swtichfoot songs, both old (Stars) and new (Afterlife).Jon Foreman of Switchfoot
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On November 1, five days before his 70th birthday, Guy Clark will get the tribute treatment with an album of Country luminaries covering his songs - Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris and Patty Griffin are all on board. He's earned the adulation through famous songs like "L.A. Freeway" and "Desperados Waiting for a Train." A Nashville legend, Steve Earle and Rodney
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