Behind The Lyrics Archives - American Songwriter

Menu

Warren Zevon performing

Warren Zevon’s Diss Track Against Music Industry Gladhanders Still Hits Today

The Jackson Browne Lyric That Examines the Duality of Love

How Steve Forbert Labored Over the Right Musical Setting for His Most Famous Lyric

Photo of Nick GILDER

Nick Gilder’s Biggest Hit From 1978 Hid Dark and Unsettling Origins

The Mesmerizing Procol Harum Lyric That’s Lost at Sea

More stories

The Massively Underrated Bob Dylan Song That Originally Flopped With the Listening Public

December 1, 2025, 5:00 am
The Bruce Springsteen Lyric That Explores How Tough the Father-Son Dynamic Can Be

November 30, 2025, 8:00 am
How Neil Finn of Crowded House Crafted a Fantastic Lyric Thanks to His Hotel-Room Neighbors
The Classic Song by Underrated Trio The Roches That Was Inspired by a Nosy Record Company

November 24, 2025, 5:00 am
The Agonizing Lyric That May Have Hit Too Close to Home for Tom Petty

November 23, 2025, 8:00 am
The Steely Dan Lyric That Expresses Genuine Support via Hippie Lingo

November 19, 2025, 10:30 am
The Lyric Where The Band Suggested Woodstock Wasn’t As Idyllic as It Was Cracked Up To Be

November 18, 2025, 8:00 am
The Cars’ Lyric That Looked at Lost Love in Typically Quirky Ric Ocasek Fashion

November 17, 2025, 8:00 am
This Billy Joel Lyric Dives Deep Into His Retro Inclinations
The Lyric That Truly Shows off the Songwriting Potency of the Unheralded David Ackles

November 6, 2025, 8:00 am
The Elvis Costello Lyric That Explores the Dark Side of Passion

November 6, 2025, 5:00 am
How Jesse Winchester Established His Elite Songwriter Status With the First Lyrics He Ever Wrote

November 3, 2025, 8:00 am

Congratulations. You've reached the end of the internet.

Explore American Songwriter

Close