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Behind The Lyrics

Latest stories

3 of the Most Cinematic Rock Songs From the 1970s

Behind the Lyrics: The Hidden Loneliness Inside “Hotel California” You Might Have Missed

This Old 97’s Lyric Was Inspired by a Real-Life Hollywood It Girl

John Prine performing, 1970s folk singer

The Song Where John Prine Used Space Travel as a Metaphor for Romantic Indifference

The Supertramp Song That Complains About Excessively Useless Talk

Willie Nelson Keeps Merle Haggard's Spirit Alive With 'Workin' Man: Willie Sings Merle' Album

The Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson Duet That Looked at the One Downside of the Outlaw Life

More stories

  • Portrait of American music duo David & David as they pose at the Park West Theater, Chicago, Illinois, November 16, 1986. Pictured are David Baerwald (left) and David Ricketts. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

    Remembering the Signature Song From One-Album Wonders David + David

    March 9, 2026, 5:00 am

  • 1 Comment

    The Dreamy Track That Closed Out Bob Dylan’s Finest Album of the 1980s

    March 8, 2026, 12:00 pm

  • Exploring the Alt-Rock Song by Nada Surf That Sought out the Keys to Love’s Kingdom

  • Graham Parker Entered the Putdown Song Hall of Fame With This Track

    March 8, 2026, 7:00 am

  • The Song Where Paul Simon Told the Story of a Lonely Traveler (and No, It’s Not “The Boxer”)

    March 7, 2026, 9:30 am

  • FRANKLIN, TN - JANUARY 21: Chip Taylor performs with Music CIty Roots at The Factory on January 21, 2015 in Franklin, Tennessee. (Photo by Beth Gwinn/Getty Images)

    This 70s Gem From Legendary Songwriter Chip Taylor Offers Touching Fatherly Advice

    March 2, 2026, 7:15 am

  • Mick Jagger Had To Learn Gambling Lingo for This Rolling Stones’ Classic

    March 1, 2026, 7:00 am

  • AUSTIN, TEXAS - OCTOBER 03: MJ Lenderman performs during 2025 Austin City Limits Music Festival at Zilker Park on October 03, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Erika Goldring/WireImage)

    How MJ Lenderman Built a Winning Weeper of a Song Around Pro Wrestling Chaos

    February 28, 2026, 5:00 am

  • The Art Of Elysium's 25th Anniversary HEAVEN Gala - Gala

    The Beck Bummer That Highlighted His Most Devastating Album

  • Atlanta - May 13: Singer/Songwriter James Taylor and J.D. Souther perform at The Atlanta Civic Center in Atlanta Georgia May 13, 1981 (Photo By Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

    The Early 80s Hit That Featured Two 70s Songwriting Legends at the Top of Their Game

    February 25, 2026, 7:15 am

  • The Tom T. Hall Lyric About a Desperate Trip To Find a Lost Love

    February 24, 2026, 7:15 am

  • The Country Classic That Bruce Springsteen Called a Favorite

    The Surprising Bruce Springsteen Song Where He Got All Post-Apocalyptic on Us

    February 24, 2026, 5:00 am

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      • Road Ready Rules and Deadlines
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      • Enter The Beat4Beat Contest
    • Contest Promotions
      • Promotion Winners
  • Song Contest
  • Community
    • Subscribe to Magazine
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