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.
1957: Country singer/songwriter Johnny Cash performs onstage with an acoustic guitar in Sun Records publicity shot in 1957. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
From left to right, Gary Moore, Phil Lynott (1949 – 1986) and Brian Downey of Irish rock band Thin Lizzy in London, 1973. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 19: Kacey Musgraves attends the 2025 ARIA Awards at Hordern Pavilion on November 19, 2025 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/WireImage)
NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 20: (L-R) Allison Krauss and James Taylor perform onstage during the James Taylor's Perspectives Series at Carnegie Hall on April 20, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images)
Le chanteur britannique Rick Astley lors d'une émission de télévision le 3 décembre 1987 à Paris, France. (Photo by ARNAL/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
Neil Young and Crazy Horse performing on stage, Hammersmith Odeon, London, March 28th 1976. He is playing a Gibson Les Paul guitar with a Bigsby vibrato unit. (Photo by Dick Barnatt/Redferns)
