Behind The Song

We here at American Songwriter are obsessed with uncovering the meaning behind our favorite songs. Below, you’ll find deep dives into big hits, deep cuts, and everything in between.

Behind The Song

08.05.26

How Philip Bailey and Phil Collins Turned a Demo Into an 80s Smash

By Jim Beviglia
Behind The Song

08.04.26

A High School Breakup Inspired Matchbox Twenty’s First Big Hit in 1997

By Gayle Thompson
Behind The Song

08.03.26

A Fire Inspired David Allan Coe To Write This Massive Hit for Another Artist in 1977

By Gayle Thompson
Behind The Song

08.03.26

Eddie Van Halen Admitted He Was “Bummed” About Van Halen’s First Single in 1978

By Gayle Thompson
Behind The Song

08.03.26

The 1975 Donna Summer Hit That Caused a Terrifying Crowd Reaction: “I Thought I Was Going To Die”

By Melanie Davis
Behind The Song

08.03.26

Willie Nelson Turned Down What Became One of Kenny Rogers’ Signature Songs in 1978

By Gayle Thompson
Behind The Song

08.02.26

Paul McCartney Explains the Sad Paradox of Listening to This Fellow Rockstar’s 1971 Hit

“It’s a beautiful ambition.”

By Melanie Davis
Behind The Song

08.02.26

Remember When Mommy Issues Popped up on a Pink Floyd Classic in 1979?

By Jim Beviglia
Behind The Song

08.01.26

Most People Don’t Know This Iconic Singer Is on Hootie & The Blowfish’s First Big Hit From 1994

By Gayle Thompson
Behind The Song

08.01.26

Pam Tillis Calls This 1991 Single the Best Song She Ever Recorded

By Gayle Thompson
Behind The Song

08.01.26

Paul McCartney Helped Elvis Costello Write This Hit Single From 1989

By Gayle Thompson
Behind The Song

07.31.26

Why the Release of This 1973 Jim Croce Song Still Feels Tragically Ironic Years Later

By Kat Caudill

Behind The Song

How Philip Bailey and Phil Collins Turned a Demo Into an 80s Smash

A High School Breakup Inspired Matchbox Twenty’s First Big Hit in 1997

A Fire Inspired David Allan Coe To Write This Massive Hit for Another Artist in 1977

Eddie Van Halen Admitted He Was “Bummed” About Van Halen’s First Single in 1978

The 1975 Donna Summer Hit That Caused a Terrifying Crowd Reaction: “I Thought I Was Going To Die”

Willie Nelson Turned Down What Became One of Kenny Rogers’ Signature Songs in 1978

Paul McCartney Explains the Sad Paradox of Listening to This Fellow Rockstar’s 1971 Hit

Remember When Mommy Issues Popped up on a Pink Floyd Classic in 1979?

Most People Don’t Know This Iconic Singer Is on Hootie & The Blowfish’s First Big Hit From 1994

Pam Tillis Calls This 1991 Single the Best Song She Ever Recorded

Paul McCartney Helped Elvis Costello Write This Hit Single From 1989

Why the Release of This 1973 Jim Croce Song Still Feels Tragically Ironic Years Later

On This Day in 1960, a Country Star Whose Musical Journey Began With a Devastating Childhood Accident Fulfilled His Grand Ole Opry Dream

3 Top 10 Hits From 1973 That Every 70s Kid Alive Still Remembers Today

3 One-Hit Wonder Lyrics From 1995 That Every 90s Kid Remembers

On This Day in 1966, a Made-for-TV Rock Band Began a 13-Week Run at No. 1 Despite Being Barred From Playing Their Own Instruments