What is a rock star without his muse? While most rock musicians are known for their whirlwind short-lived love affairs, some have been so affected by their relationships and marriages that they decided to write songs about them. Let’s look at four rock songs that were inspired by real love stories!
1. “Mama, I’m Coming Home” by Ozzy Osborne
This 1991 Ozzy Osborne classic is by far one of the rocker’s most tender and sensitive songs. When it comes to rock songs about real love stories, “Mama, I’m Coming Home” is one of the most enduring tracks loved by his fans today. This song was written by Osbourne with some help from Motorhead’s own Lemmy Kilmister and Zakk Wylde. It was dedicated to Osbourne’s wife, Sharon.
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“At that time Zakk [Wylde] and I were doing a lot of writing on the piano,” Osbourne said of the song. “‘Mama, I’m Coming Home’ was always something I’d say on the phone to my wife near the end of a tour.”
2. “Maybe I’m Amazed” by Paul McCartney
The Beatles’ Paul McCartney has been married several times. However, his relationship with Linda McCartney was one of his most notable relationships. The two were married in 1969 and stayed together for years until Linda passed away from breast cancer at the age of 56. The pair made quite a bit of music together, too. “Maybe I’m Amazed” was McCartney’s love letter to Linda that he penned in 1970. He’s since performed the song hundreds of times.
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3. “Wild Horses” by The Rolling Stones
When it comes to rock songs that were inspired by real love stories, “Wild Horses” is about the loving relationship between a father and son, rather than a romantic entanglement.
Keith Richards initially wrote the song in 1971 about his newborn son Marlon. Richards said he felt guilt over leaving his freshly born child to go on tour. Mick Jagger finished up the half-written song, and many believe his contribution to the track was inspired by the end of his marriage to Marianne Faithfull. Jagger has denied that claim.
4. “Something” by The Beatles
There’s no rock song out there with a more egregious depiction of rock star wives than “Something” by The Beatles. George Harrison penned this tune about his then-wife, Pattie Boyd, in 1969. Their marriage wouldn’t last, but the band decided to bring all of their respective wives at the time to appear in the music video: Pattie Boyd, Linda McCartney, Yoko Ono, and Maureen Starr.
Photo by Reg Lancaster/Daily Express/Hulton Archive
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