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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.

Latest stories

3 of the Best Rolling Stones Music Videos with Big-Name Actors

The Meaning Behind “Beast Of Burden” by The Rolling Stones, a Secret Code and a Creative Comeback

The Story Behind the Popular Christmas Song That Took 7 Years To Write

The Story Behind the Popular Christmas Song That Took Seven Years To Write

The Story Behind the Eagles Song Glenn Frey Wrote for His Daughter During a Difficult Time

Patrick Swayze in 1987

The Emotional One-Hit Wonder From 1987 That Nearly Made It Into a Different 80s Movie (And Prompted at Least Five Lawsuits)

The Mamas and the Papas in the recording studio

How a Boston Radio Station Helped Turn This California Song Into a 1960s Smash Hit

More stories

  • The Radical Meaning Behind “Young Turks” by Rod Stewart

    December 9, 2025, 7:00 am

  • Loretta Lynn

    The “Haunted” Song Loretta Lynn Wrote Sitting on the Stairs in Patsy Cline’s Home Shorty After Her Death in 1963

    December 8, 2025, 10:50 am

  • Over 60 Tracks of Marvin Gaye Found in Belgium

    The Meaning Behind “Baby Don’t You Do It” by Marvin Gaye and How It Influenced Two World-Famous Rock Bands

  • The Story Behind the Song That Changed Everything for Lainey Wilson

    The Story Behind the Song That Changed Everything for Lainey Wilson

    December 8, 2025, 6:00 am

  • Phil Collins Went to the Movies for His Last US Top 40 Hit

    December 8, 2025, 5:00 am

  • "With a Little Help from My Friends" singer Ringo Starr

    Why Ringo Starr Refused to Sing This Beatles Lyric on ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ (Here’s What He Sang Instead)

    December 6, 2025, 5:11 pm

  • The Byrds

    Before “Turn! Turn! Turn!”, The Byrds Were About to Cover Another Bob Dylan Song Before It Was Ultimately Rejected

    December 6, 2025, 3:17 pm

  • Rewind Scotland The 80s Festival 2012 - Day 2

    The Power of Positivity (And Denial) Helped Go West Nab Their First Hit

    December 6, 2025, 5:00 am

  • Everything Changed for Jelly Roll When He Released This One Song

    Everything Changed for Jelly Roll When He Released This One Song

  • 4 Great Deep Cuts by The Jam You Should Check Out in Honor of the Band’s Late Drummer Rick Buckler

    The True Meaning Behind The Jam’s Hit Mod Anthem for the Working Class

    December 5, 2025, 8:30 am

  • The Meaning Behind “Dog Days Are Over” by Florence And The Machine and the Joyful Artwork That Inspired It

    December 5, 2025, 7:00 am

  • Cyndi Lauper performing

    The Heartbreaking Story Behind Cyndi Lauper’s “True Colors”—and the Song She Actually Wrote About the Same Situation

    December 4, 2025, 5:36 pm

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  • Features
    • Behind The Song
    • Digital Cover Exclusives
    • Interviews
    • The List
    • On This Day
    • Gear
    • Reviews
      • Album Reviews
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
      • Sign up for The Daily Co-Write
      • Sign up for the Sunday Soundbite
      • Sign Up for In The Round
  • Latest News
  • Contests
    • Song Contest
      • Enter Song Contest
      • Song Contest Winners
      • Rules and Deadlines
      • Meet the Judges
    • Lyric Contest
      • Enter Lyric Contest
      • Dream Day on Music Row
      • Lyric Contest Winners
      • 2026 Lyric Contest Judges
      • Rules and Deadlines
    • Road Ready Talent Contest
      • Enter Road Ready
      • Road Ready Winners
      • The Public’s Pick
      • Road Ready Rules and Deadlines
    • Hip Hop Contest
      • Enter The Beat4Beat Contest
    • Contest Promotions
  • Song Contest
  • Community
    • Subscribe to Magazine
    • Subscribe to Newsletter
    • Foundations Songwriting Course
    • Apply To Songwriting Camps
    • Become Songwriter Member
    • Access Membership Hub
    • Manage My Subscription/Membership
  • Shop
  • Watch
    • Watch on YouTube
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