Everyone has that one song that will forever be No.1 in our hearts. A song we know every word to, regardless if we have the track backing us or not. The familiarity is so intimate that we know it like the back of our hand. Music, generally, seeps through the deepest recesses of everyone’s souls and makes a mark that stays with us for many years. Thanks to our favorite artists, we have access to songs that may be the most magnificent ones ever composed. However, there is one other person who we should also express our gratitude to – the muse. They are people who served as inspiration to the artists who penned these classics. The muse is the true magician. If there was no muse, these songs may have not come into existence. Without any more delay, here are the backstories of people who have inspired our most loved tunes.
“The Girl from Ipanema” by Astrud Gilberto with João Gilberto and Stan Getz (1964)
Along the coast of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil in 1962, that’s where this tale begins. 17-year-old Heloisa Eneida Menezes Paes Pinto, also known as Helô Pinheiro, caught the attention of the hit song’s composers. She was on one of her daily walks when she passed by the Veloso café. Pinheiro’s sultry features commanded the attention of both men and women. Initially titled “Menina que Passa” (or The Girl Who Passes By), this popular track talks about beauty during the years of youth and how the feeling of sorrow is brought about when youth fades. The Bossa Nova tune brought Pinheiro into the spotlight as well. She got into modelling and opened her own bikini store in São Paulo. She was also featured on the cover of Brazilian Playboy in 1987 and again in the year 2003 when she was 59.
“The Girl From Ipanema” By Astrud Gilberto With João Gilberto And Stan Getz 1964
“Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond (1969)
Many people believed that Neil Diamond was inspired to write “Sweet Caroline” by Life Magazine’s cover from September 7, 1962. The cover featured four-year-old Caroline Kennedy horseback riding. In five years’ time, Diamond composed the track apparently thanks to that feature. However, Diamond only spilled the beans about the story behind the tune 42 years later. The CBS Early Show had Diamond on as a guest and it was here where he chose to reveal that the track is in fact about Martha, his ex-wife, but he was in need of a female name with only three syllables for the melody, therefore Caroline was born.
“Sweet Caroline” By Neil Diamond 1969
“Peggy Sue” by Buddy Holly (1957)
Buddy Holly thought of friendship seriously. He took it so seriously that he assisted his friend Jerry Allison, who was a drummer, to capture Peggy Sue Gerron’s heart. Yes, a song was penned and named after her and this brought the couple together in the end! I mean, guys, they got married! “Peggy Sue” turned into a classic hit in the rock and roll world.
“Peggy Sue” By Buddy Holly 1957
“Donna” by Ritchie Valens (1958)
Sure, “La Bamba” makes some parts of your body move involuntarily, which some generously refer to as dancing, but “Donna” is the song that makes hearts melt. Ritchie Valens composed the sweet tune for Donna Ludwig, his high school sweetheart. “Donna” climbed to the No. 2 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 in the year 1959. Ludwig and Valens continued to be close friends up until Valens’s tragic death when his plane crashed in 1959.
“Donna” By Ritchie Valens 1958
“She’s Always a Woman” by Billy Joel (1977)
Billy Joel certainly knows a thing or two about working his magic on melodies and words. In 1977, his song “She’s Always A Woman” was released and fans went crazy. He married Elizabeth Weber Small, in 1973 and she became the inspiration behind the popular track. She was also his manager and it was common knowledge that she was a tough negotiator. Although some felt she had masculine tactics, Joel thought they made her all the more womanly. In the year 1982, the couple got divorced, yet this was not the last time he would pen a tune about a specific woman in his life.
“She’s Always A Woman” By Billy Joel 1977
“Wild World” by Cat Stevens (1970)
Cat Stevens dated Patti D’Arbanville for a couple of years. Because of this, Stevens penned many tunes about her, such as “Patti D’Arbanville” and the song “Wild World”, both of which are the most well-known ones. D’Arbanville was an actress and a model. She left Stevens to date Mick Jagger and this inspired the song “Wild World” which is a heart-wrenching ballad.
“Wild World” By Cat Stevens 1970
“Photograph” by Def Leppard (1983)
There is no doubt that Marilyn Monroe has beauty with a timeless quality, so it doesn’t come as a surprise that Def Leppard’s Joe Elliot got inspired by her although he was just at the tender age of three. Despite the fact that Monroe wasn’t alive anymore as he aged, he was still smitten. In fact, he was so smitten he penned a metal rock tune called “Photograph” several years later. The track is about having the desire for something which is impossible for you to have. Although only recently he did say that these stories are not true, but critics and fans do not completely believe him.
“Photograph” By Def Leppard 1983
“Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney (1970)
Writing a lengthy song seems to be one of the many strengths Paul McCartney has. Simply listen to the track “Maybe I’m Amazed” and be amazed once you realize that what we are saying is true. Many feel this single is Paul McCartney’s most meaningful when it come to love songs that he has written as an individual artist. Linda, McCartney’s late wife, inspired the track. She succumbed to breast cancer in 1998. Linda was the source of Paul’s strength for years and it was a great struggle for him to lose her. However, even after Linda’s passing, Paul continued to write songs about his late wife.
“Maybe I’m Amazed” By Paul McCartney 1970
“Sweet Child o’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses (1987)
Spontaneous song writing sessions can lead to the creation of one of the best songs ever to have been made. Slash and Steven Adler can attest to that. The duo were preparing for their session at one of the Guns N’ Rose’s condos in West Hollywood. As they were doing the warming up, Izzy Stradlin joined them to provide the chords. Duff McKagan also added the bass line. During all of this, Axl Rose was on the top floor and heard everyone playing their instruments. He was inspired by the noise to write the words for “Sweet Child o’ Mine”. The noise as well as his love for Erin Everly, Rose’s girlfriend during that time, helped him finish the hit song by the next morning.
“Sweet Child O’ Mine” By Guns N’ Roses 1987
“Oh Sherrie” by Steve Perry (1984)
The title of Steve Perry’s tune “Oh Sherrie” is a dead giveaway of who the track is about. Of course it’s Sherrie Swafford, Perry’s girlfriend during that time. She even made an appearance in the song’s music video. Although their relationship was short-lived, the track is a classic of the 80’s. “Oh Sherrie” dominated MTV and the radio during that time.
“Oh Sherrie” By Steve Perry 1984
“Jennifer Juniper” by Donavan (1968)
Sisters Pattie and Jenny Boyd provided inspiration to Donavan in writing songs and he composed quite a number about them, individually of course. Jenny had been modelling when she first met Donovan. However, she quit after a trip to India she took with Donavan and Pattie. Although Donavan never went out with Jenny, people could tell he developed feelings for her because of his single “Jennifer Jupiter”. Jenny, actually, was in a relationship that was on-again, off-again with star Mick Fleetwood of the Fleetwood Mac. Later, they got married and now have two daughters.
“Jennifer Juniper” By Donavan 1968
“My Sharona” by The Knack (1979)
Doug Fieger claims to have fallen in love with Sharona Alperion the moment he first saw her. During that time, she was only 17 while he was already 25. However, Fieger’s love for Alperion was his inspiration for penning numerous tunes about her. Actually, he likened the experience of falling for her to a bat used in baseball hitting his head. Wow, it sure sounds like there was a large amount of love involved. “My Sharona,” one of the many songs he composed about her, became a massive (massive!) single. To think it was written in a mere 15-minute session! Wild.
“My Sharona” By The Knack 1979
“Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel (1983)
As it turns out, “Uptown Girl” was at the outset written for the then 19-year-old Elle MacPherson, an Australian supermodel who also happened to be Joel’s girlfriend. Not long after penning the track, the two broke up. However, shortly after, Joel and another supermodel, Christie Brinkley, fell in love. Only two years prior to the song becoming a hit in the airwaves, Joel and Brinkley exchanged vows. His song was later changed to “Uptown Girls”, owing to the many factors that contributed to the lyrics, which Joel admitted. Naturally Brinkley and MacPherson, but also Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and Whitney Houston.
“Uptown Girl” By Billy Joel 1983
“Layla” by Derek and the Dominos (1970)
When talking about messy situations, falling for your closest friend’s girl is definitely an example. Eric Clapton is no stranger to this. He fell madly in love with his best friend’s (George Harrison) wife, Pattie Boyd. Ergo he wrote “Layla”, a blues-rock song which clearly expresses his unhealthy fascination in Boyd. The song didn’t impress Pattie…at first. However, in 1974, Clapton and Boyd started living together. By 1979, the two had exchanged vows! The song doesn’t seem the least bit ineffective at all.
“Layla” By Derek And The Dominos 1970
“Woman” by John Lennon (1981)
No one would argue if the statement that John Lennon is interchanged with music genius. Shortly before he was assassinated on December 8, 1980, he wrote a song called “Woman” for Yoko Ono, his wife. It would become the first single released posthumously from the album “Double Fantasy”. It’s not a surprise Lennon composed a song that is so beautiful about Ono. In several interviews of Lennon, he spoke enthusiastically about her, even saying that “Woman” is an adult version of another song of his, “Girl”.
“Woman” By John Lennon 1981
“Brown Sugar” by The Rolling Stones (1971)
Secretly, Mick Jagger was dating Marsha Hunt, a singer and a model. Although their relationship was short-lived, they had a child together, Karis. Because of this, Hunt became the inspiration behind Jagger’s hit track, “Brown Sugar”. While Claudia Lennear, a singer, claims the tune is in actual fact about her since she was seeing Jagger during that time, he has never admitted in public which lady indeed inspired the iconic song.
“Brown Sugar” By The Rolling Stones 1971
“Athena” by The Who (1982)
While he was watching Pink Floyd at a concert, Pete Townshend saw actress Theresa Russell for the first time. Immediately, he thought no on in the world could rival Russell when it comes to beauty, so he walked towards her. However, Russell immediately rejected Townsend! The fact that he had already been engaged to another woman didn’t matter to Townsend. He fell in “love” the moment he first saw her. He originally would have like the song to be named “Theresa”, but decided against it thinking it too personal. The song “Athena” is about messy, hurtful, and unrequited love.
“Athena” By The Who 1982
“Candle in the Wind” by Elton John (1997)
When it was reported that the People’s Princess was in a car accident that lead to her death in August of 1997, the whole world grieved. The superstar Sir Elton John was invited to sing a song at the funeral a couple of days later. It was natural he would choose “Candle in the Wind”, a song which was initially released in Marilyn Monroe’s honor in 1973. Bernie Taupin made some modifications to lyrics of the song to suit Princess Diana. The song’s popularity soared to greater heights, even topping the original. As a matter of fact, the revised version is No.2 on the list of all-time best-selling singles. It is right behind Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”.
“Candle In The Wind” By Elton John 1997
“Walk Away Renee” by The Left Banke (1966)
Michael Brown penned the track “Walk Away Renee” owing to Renee Fladen-Kamm Tom Finn’s, the bass player, girlfriend. She used to sit in the recording studio while the band was recording music. Renee was blonde and tall and she made Brown very nervous. He was just 16 years old during that time. Eventually he struggled to attend practice sessions whenever she was around because his nerves made it impossible for him to concentrate. “She May Call You Up Tonight” and “Pretty Ballerina” are the other two songs he wrote about Renee.
“Walk Away Renee” By The Left Banke 1966
“Suzanne” by Leonard Cohen (1967)
“Suzanne” was originally a poem Leonard Cohen wrote. It talks about how he was attracted to Suzanne Verdal. Cohen said that Verdals’ beauty can be described as otherworldly and “everyone was in love with Suzanne.” In the year 1967, Judy Collins transformed the poem to a song and Cohen later performed the track. It became his album’s, Songs of Leonard Cohen, debut single. While the tracks alludes to a relationship with a sexual nature, the two have outright said the stories were not true.
“Suzanne” By Leonard Cohen 1967
“Je T’aime … Moi Non Plus” by Serge Gainsbourg (1969)
In 1967, French model and actress Brigitte Bardot requested Serge Gainsbourg to compose a track for her, and he obliged. No one was prepared for the song “Je T’aime … Moi Non Plus” and how erotic it was. Bardot’s husband listened to the song prior to its release and naturally wasn’t happy about it to say the least, so Gainsbourg recorded the song again, this time with Jane Birkin, Gainsborourg’s new girlfriend. Nearly all radio stations didn’t play the track since it was regarded as too controversial and extremely erotic. Valerie Lagrange, Marianne Faithfull, and Mireille Darc also sang the song together with Gainsbourg. The collaboration with Bardot was eventually released in 1986.
“Je T’aime … Moi Non Plus” By Serge Gainsbourg 1969
“Jersey Girl” by Tom Waits (1980)
Tom Waits had been creating music for the soundtrack of the movie One from the Heart in New Jersey when he met Kathleen Brennan, an artist and a musician. And that was all it took. The duo fell in love and became crazy about each other. Waits wrote the track “Jersey Girl” and he and Brennan got married in the year that the song was released. Their family grew to five and they often do collaborations together. Both the E Street Band and Bruce Springsteen have covered the song.
“Jersey Girl” By Tom Waits 1980
“Lady in Red” by Chris de Burgh (1986)
This song inspiration is what some may describe as interesting. Chris de Burgh penned “Lady In Red” to highlight just how husbands don’t seem to remember what clothes their wives had on when they met for the very first time. Interesting to put it mildly.
“Lady In Red” By Chris De Burgh 1986
“In Your Eyes” by Peter Gabriel (1986)
The actress Rosanna Arquette impressively inspired not just one, but two songs – Peter Gabriel’s “In Your Eyes” and Toto’s “Rosanna”. In the past, Arquette and Gabriel had been living together. Therefore, when “In Your Eyes” was released, many speculated that Arquette was the inspiration behind the song. In contrast, Toto claims Arquette isn’t the subject of the song although she was going out with Steve Porcaro, the band’s keyboardist, during the time the track came out. You decide who the real inspiration is behind the popular song.
“In Your Eyes” By Peter Gabriel 1986
“It Ain’t Me, Babe” by Bob Dylan (1964)
As what Bob Dylan’s biographers said, Suze Rotolo, Dylan’s former girlfriend was the inspiration behind the track “It Ain’t Me, Babe”. It appears that he penned the song when he was in Italy in the year 1963 while he was looking for Rotolo, who had been studying there during that time. In addition, Joan Baez, Dylan’s girlfriend, then did the recording of the song, which practically started Dylan’s hugely successful career.
“It Ain’t Me Babe” By Bob Dylan 1964
“And I Love Her” by The Beatles (1964)
Paul McCartney’s bond with love songs is so strong, they practically are family. McCartney says the song “And I Love Her” is “the first balled [he] impressed [him]self with.” The English actress Jane Asher, who was his fiancé is the inspiration behind the beautifully-written lyrics. However, within a year of the song’s release, the two broke up.
“And I Love Her” By The Beatles 1964
“Something” by The Beatles (1969)
Before Eric Clapton and Pattie Boyd ever became more than just friends, Boyd was crazy about George Harrison. Harrison and Boyd married in the year 1966. A couple of years later, Harrison wrote the hit song “Something.” Harrison later said that the song wasn’t only inspired by his wife but he also got inspiration from the Hindi deity Krishna. According to him, as he composes songs about women, Harrison at the same time writes about God. Several years later, Harrison stated that Boyd wasn’t the inspiration behind the song. People only assumed so since she also appeared in the song’s music video.
“Something” By The Beatles 1969
“You’re So Vain” by Carly Simon (1972)
The lyrics of this song sure made everyone speculate who exactly Carly Simon was alluding to. This is what happens when you sing of a lover who is self-absorbed. People take notice. When she was interviewed for People magazine, Simon admitted that the actor Warren Beatty inspired the verse after the first. Now you might be asking about the other parts of the track. In an interview with
“You’re So Vain” By Carly Simon 1972
“True Blue” by Madonna (1986)
The “Queen of Pop” wrote the track “True Blue” in the year 1986 about no other than actor Sean Penn, who was her husband during that time. Madonna even said Penn is the “coolest guy in the universe.” She never forgot how he wrote a love letter for her. The letter explained how much appreciation Penn had for the work she did as an artist as he watched Madonna’s performance of the track at a New York show.
“True Blue” By Madonna 1986
“I Will Always Love You” by Dolly Parton (1973)
The superstar Dolly Parton was only 21 years old when the country singer Porter Wagoner discovered her. He had a successful series in 1967 and he gave Parton her own spot on the show. Parton’s fame sky-rocketed as a result. However, seven years later, Parton felt she needed to concentrate on her career, so she decided to leave the show despite the fact that Wagoner definitely preferred she stay. Throughout the years, Parton and Wagoner developed both a strong professional relationship as well as a strong personal one. Ergo, Parton wrote the hit song that has now become a classic. It is about her unfaltering appreciation and the platonic love she has for Wagoner.
“I Will Always Love You” By Dolly Parton 1973
“Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton (1991)
In the first few years of the 1990’s, Eric Clapton suffered some serious hardships. Troubles that shook him to the core. In the year 1990, a tragic helicopter accident killed Clapton’s friend, manager, and musician Stevie Ray Vaughan, as well as two of Clapton’s roadies. Just the following year, Clapton’s son, who was only four years old, died after falling through a window 53 stories high. He fell from their NYC apartment, then landed on a nearby building’s roof. Understandably, suffering these mind-numbing losses caused Clapton to go into isolation. Many years later, he created the film Rush’s soundtrack. Clapton wrote “Tears in Heaven” together with Will Jennings. Clapton acknowledged that creating music helped him learn how to heal. Many people feel that the song revealed all the tragic losses Clapton suffered.
“Tears In Heaven” By Eric Clapton 1991
“Sweetest Thing” by U2 (1987)
Did you ever write a song for your spouse to apologize and for it to become a tribute? Well, Bono did just the thing! Penning “Sweetest Thing” was his way of asking for forgiveness from Ali Hewson, his wife, since he felt he wasn’t paying her enough attention. He wasn’t with her on her birthday because he was working long hours on U2’s studio album, The Joshua Tree. In addition, U2 donated the profits the single earned to the charity Ali chose – Chernobyl Children’s Project International. Now that is what you call love, guys.
“Sweetest Thing” By U2 1987
“Go Your Own Way” by Fleetwood Mac (1976)
Now this song was extremely personal to write for Lindsey Buckingham, lead guitarist of Fleetwood Mac. “Go Your Own Way” was initially released in the year 1976. The track exposed the pain Buckingham had been feeling at the time things were ending between him and lead singer Stevie Nicks. Although Nicks hated the part of the song that goes, “Packing up, shacking up is all you wanna do,” Buckingham refused to remove it from the song.
“Go Your Own Way” By Fleetwood Mac 1976
“Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper (1983)
“Time After Time”, Cyndi Lauper’s ballad, is one remarkable song. In fact, it ranks high on the list of powerful songs that she has released, not to mention, anyone has ever released as far as ballads as concerned. No one had the slightest idea that the story behind the tune was about a person she was very close to. When Lauper was just starting out as a singer, David Wolff was not only her manager but also her boyfriend during that time. Wolff inspired the hit song and powerful ballad. She revealed the words of the song about a clock ticking is referring to a clock that was loud and that Wolff had once given to her as a gift. Plus, Wolff can be seen in the track’s music video.
“Time After Time” By Cyndi Lauper 1983
“If You Say So” by Lea Michele (2014)
As Cory Monteith’s and Lea Michele’s characters on hit show Glee fell for each other, real life mirrored the onscreen romance. Fans loved the fact that they were in a relationship and kept up-to-date with their romance both on the screen and behind it. However, in 2013, Monteith tragically died after overdosing on drugs. During that time, Michele’s first album, Louder was in the works. While dealing with the crippling heartbreak, she penned a song called “If You Say So” about Monteith. “It’s about my last conversation that I had with him,” explained Michele. She sings, “It’s been seven whole days/ Seven whole days since you paralyzed me/ And I can’t get the last words that you said/ Can’t get those words out of my head.” She proceeds to sing with all her heart, “Was just a week ago, you said, ‘I love you, girl’/ I said, ‘I love you more’/ And a breath, a pause/ You said, If you say so.'” Those were his last words to her, “If you say so.”
“If You Say So” by Lea Michele (2014)
“Suite: Judy Blue Eyes” by Crosby, Stills and Nash (1969)
It seems like one single wasn’t enough so Stephen Stills decided to write the multi-part hit “Suite: Judy Blue Eyes”. They performed the song at Woodstock and it referenced his stormy relationship with singer-songwriters Judy Collins. The lyrics talked about the way he feels about their inevitable split.
“Suite Judy Blue Eyes” By Crosby Stills And Nash 1969
“Always” by Irving Berlin (1925)
When news broke that Irving Berlin and Ellin MacKay were seeing each other, it was the talk of the town. After all, Berlin was 16 years older than MacKay. For her father, however, the fact that she was Catholic and he was Jewish was even worse. Fun fact: her father even sent her to Europe in hopes that she would get over him. The plan failed, MacKay was disinherited, and the two tied the knot. Berlin would release the song “Always” for their wedding.
“Always” By Irving Berlin 1925
“50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” by Paul Simon (1975)
This is the perfect song if you are planning to dump your lover. Paul Simon actually wrote “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” when he left Peggy Harper to begin seeing Carrie Fisher of Star Wars fame. Simon and Fisher would be together for seven years before they decided to get married. Unfortunately, they would divorce after one year.
“50 Ways To Leave Your Lover” By Paul Simon 1975
“Our House” by Graham Nash of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1970)
Graham Nash and Joni Mitchell began living together in December 1968. The two had a lot in common and the fact they were both singer-songwriters were one of these. One day, the pair dined out for breakfast and purchased a vase together. This simple day served as Nash’s inspiration to write “Our House”, an ode to the beauty of domestic life. Mitchell was picking flowers for the new vase while Nash was on the piano trying to write the song.
“Our House” By Graham Nash Of Crosby Stills Nash Young 1970
“Lola” by The Kinks (1970)
According to Rolling Stone, “Lola” was about Candy Darling, whom Ray Davies dated for a brief time. She was a friend of Andy Warhol’s, but there was a different story in The Kinks’ biography. According to the official publication, it was about an incident between their manager and Darling!
“Lola” By The Kinks 1970
“Oh! Carol” by Neil Sedaka (1958)
Did you know that Carole King and Neil Sedaka dated in high school? The musician was actually the inspiration behind “Oh Carol”. However, it was King’s “Oh! Neil” that launched the song into fame. King and her husband Goffin would later write songs for Brill Building and they would later pen hits “The Loco-Motion” and “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?”
“Oh Carol” By Neil Sedaka 1958
“Crazy Love” by Van Morrison (1970)
The inspiration for Van Morrison hits “Crazy Love” and “Tupelo Honey” was actually Planet Rigsbee. She described meeting Morrison as an “alchemical whammo” and they would have a daughter together. Sadly, the couple called it quits in 1973.
“Crazy Love” By Van Morrison 1970
“Philadelphia Freedom” by Elton John (1975)
Here’s something you might not have known: Elton John and tennis legend Billie Jean King were actually great friends. He even requested his lyricist to write a song about her! The end product was the hit song “Philadelphia Freedom” whose title was derived from the World Team Tennis squad, which King was then a part of, although the song has nothing to do with tennis.
“Philadelphia Freedom” By Elton John 1975
“Day Dreaming” by Aretha Franklin (1972)
Everyone always assumes that “Day Dreaming” was about Dennis Edwards because the Queen of Soul was engaged to him at the time it was released. Sadly, the marriage didn’t happen, something that Edwards apparently regrets. Franklin said she wasn’t going to wait around for him to come around and by the time he finally did, it was already too late.
Day Dreaming” By Aretha Franklin 1972
“Carey” by Joni Mitchell (1971)
When Joni Mitchell and Graham Nash went their own ways, “Our House” was no longer true for them. The former would go to Crete in order to recover from the breakup. While there, she would meet an American cook called Cary Raditz – he was fun and what she needed to get over her split. The spelling mistake of “Caery” was deliberate when she penned the song.
“Carey” By Joni Mitchell 1971
“Girl from the North Country by Bob Dylan (1963)
There is a lot of speculation about what the song is actually about. Some say that it was a reference to Echo Helstrom, Dylan’s former beau. According to others, it must be about his college girlfriend Bonnie Beecher. The last possibility is that it is a tribute to Suze Rotolo, who shared the album cover with Dylan. Did you know that he flew all the way to Italy in search for her? Sadly, she had actually packed up and moved to New York by then! This didn’t deter Dylan who followed her and convinced her to be with him again.
“Girl From The North Country By Bob Dylan 1963
“Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder (1976)
We all know the 1976 hit “Isn’t She Lovely” that come out with the Songs in the Key of Life album. The singer-songwriter actually wrote it for his daughter! Everyone can only wish that they had a father who was as doting and loving.
“Isn’t She Lovely” By Stevie Wonder 1976
“You Oughta Know” by Alanis Morissette (1995)
Alanis Morisette is a proficient songwriter, but she doesn’t like talking about her works. In an interview with a journalist from CanWest News Service, she revealed that she doesn’t discuss the inspiration for her songs because of how personal it is. However, actor-comedian Dave Coulier joked that the song is about him — he even told Boston Herald how “… the lines are very close to home.” Other contenders include Leslie Howe, Matt LeBlanc, and Mike Peluso.
“You Oughta Know” By Alanis Morissette 1995
“The Ballad of Jayne” by L.A. Guns (1990)
L.A. Guns came out with “The Ballad of Jayne” in 1990. They croon about the actress Jayne Mansfield, the 50’s and 60’s iconic pin-up girl! She was probably the only person at the time who could rival Marilyn Monroe.
“The Ballad Of Jayne” By L.A. Guns 1990
“Killing Me Softly” by Lori Lieberman (1971)
“Killing Me Softly” was composed and written by Charles Nox, Norman Gimbel, and Lori Lieberman. According to Lieberman, the lyrics were lifted from a poem that she would write about a song she had strong feelings about. It’s a bit meta, but it works!
“Killing Me Softly” By Lori Lieberman 1971
“The Hurricane” by Bob Dylan (1975)
“The Hurricane” came to existence as a protest against boxer Rubin “Hurricane” Carter’s imprisonment. Bob Dylan believed that racism was to be blamed for the ordeal. Lawyers from Columbia Records actually requested that the lyrics be changed — the original lyrics made references to star witnesses Alfred Bello and Arthur Dexter Bradley and that wasn’t allowed as it was a pending case.
“The Hurricane” By Bob Dylan 1975
“American Pie” by Don McLean (1971)
Ah, here’s another classic! “American Pie” first came out in the 1971 album of the same name. The song was a tribute to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Jiles Perry Richardson Jr. The three rock and roll musicians tragically died in a plane crash in 1959.
“American Pie” By Don McLean 1971
“Vera” by Pink Floyd (1979)
Pink Floyd wrote the song in reference to Vera Lynn, also known as “The Forces’ Sweetheart”. The actress and singer-songwriter even performed “We’ll Meet Again” to the British Armed Forces!
“Vera” By Pink Floyd 1979
“Chelsea Hotel #2” by Leonard Cohen (1974)
This song was released in the album New Skin for the Old Ceremony which came out in 1972. What was it about? The song was actually about a night he spent with Janis Joplin at Chelsea Hotel, the iconic New York building that has served as the residence of many artists, writers, and musicians!
“Chelsea Hotel 2” By Leonard Cohen 1974
“I Love Mickey” by Teresa Brewer (1956)
Jazz and R&B artist Teresa Brewer composed “I Love Mickey” about Mickey Mantle. Yes, we do mean the center fielder for the New York Yankee! How did this come to be? Apparently, Brewer was watching a Yankees game and she thought that someone needed to write a song about the athlete! It wasn’t long until she was able to release the song.
“I Love Mickey” By Teresa Brewer 1956
“Hey Jude” by The Beatles (1968)
It might be one of the most famous songs on the planet, but did you know that Paul McCartney initially wrote it as a ballad called “Hey Jules”. He dedicated the song to Julian Lennon, the son of his bandmate. It was meant to comfort the young boy through John and Cynthia’s divorce.
“Hey Jude” By The Beatles 1968
“Coyote” by Joni Mitchell (1976)
This song is allegedly about the musician’s affair with playwright Sam Shepard! This was suggested by Chris O’Dell in her autobiography Miss O’Dell! In the book, she dives into detail about her relationship with Shepard, as well as how he cheated on her with Mitchell.
“Coyote” By Joni Mitchell 1976
“Rosanna” by Toto (1982)
This hit song was allegedly about Rosanna Arquette who was then dating the band’s keyboardist Steve Porcaro. It was David Paich who would write the song, however! He initially denied the claims and it was only in 2016 when he admitted, “She was cuter than ever and I had a crush on her, and as she walked out I just finished the line with ‘Rosanna.’”
“Rosanna” By Toto 1982
“I’m Your Boogie Man” by KC & The Sunshine Band (1976)
You couldn’t have missed this song on the radio when it first came out in 1976! Kudos goes to DJ Robert W. Walker, who was the titular “boogie man”. The band wrote the song as a tribute as he was actually the first DJ to ever play “Get Down Tonight” on air! It was the song that would be their first chart-topping hit.
“I’m Your Boogie Man” By KC The Sunshine Band 1976
“Man on the Moon” by REM (1992)
REM’s 1992 hit “Man on the Moon” is full to the brim with cultural references, but there is one that stands out in particular. We’re talking about the homage to Andy Kauffman. The funnyman was a mainstay on Saturday Night Live and Taxi!
“Man On The Moon” By REM 1992
Rocket Queen by Guns N’ Roses (1987)
It might have been the last song on Guns N’ Roses’ debut album, but it’s certainly not the least. The song, however, had people wondering about the identity of the titular character. Apparently, it was based on someone called Barbie Von Greif, a teenager Axl Rose knew. The lead singer was allegedly in love with the young woman at the time. Here’s what he has to say about her: “I wrote this song for this girl who was gonna have a band and she was gonna call it Rocket Queen. She kinda kept me alive for a while.”
Rocket Queen By Guns N’ Roses 1987
“867-5309/Jenny” by Tommy Tutone (1981)
There was a rather controversial inspiration behind this song. The songwriters actually had different answers to the question. According to lead guitarist Jim Keller, “Jenny is a regular girl, not a hooker. Friends of mine wrote her name and number on a men’s room wall at a bar. I called her on a dare, and we dated for a while. I haven’t talked with her since the song became a hit, but I hear she thinks I’m a real jerk for writing it.” Meanwhile, Tommy Heath said that he wrote a girl’s number on a motel bathroom wall as a prank. Lastly, songwriter Alex Call claims that the number was made-up! We might never know the actual story behind the song, but it’s interesting to hear what everyone has to say about it.
867 5309Jenny By Tommy Tutone 1981
“Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s (2005)
This song was probably the most popular love song in 2005! So who is this Delilah that the Plain White T’s sing about? Apparently, it was an ode to runner Delilah DiCrescenzo, who Tom Higgenson knew. He told USA Today, “I thought she was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen. I told her, ‘I have a song about you already.’ Obviously, there was no song. But I thought it was smooth.” Sadly, the lead singer would never actually date the athlete. It was a great song, at the very least!
“Hey There Delilah” By Plain White T’s 2005
“Me and Bobby McGee” by Roger Miller (1969)
This classic song would see a lot of covers over the years! The most famous version would probably be the one by Janis Joplin, which would be released posthumously. So who exactly is Bobby McGee? You might be surprised it was a woman! Fred Foster and Kris Kristofferson got the inspiration from the secretary of their new building owner. Her name was Barbara McKee, though she was better known as “Bobbie”!
“Me And Bobby McGee” By Roger Miller 1969
“Like A Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan (1965)
No Bob Dylan song was ever able to recreate the success of “Like a Rolling Stone”! People admired the song’s free-verse nature. According to the musician, it was about a debutante who would end up becoming an outcast. People have speculated that it was about actress and model Edie Sedgewick!
“Like A Rolling Stone” By Bob Dylan 1965
“Wonderful Tonight” by Eric Clapton (1977)
When Eric Clapton and Pattie Boyd first met, she was married to George Harrison. The two would later get together and the love between the two would serve as the inspiration of “Wonderful Tonight”. The song is something like a sequel to the song “Layla”, in which he also proclaimed his feelings for Boyd.
“Wonderful Tonight” By Eric Clapton 1977