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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

Paul McCartney Called This Jimmy Buffett Song One of the Best He’d Ever Sung

Neil Young performing in 1969

The Neil Young Song He Said Was “Hard To Explain” to His Wife (Here’s Why)

This Hit by Ratt Helped Kick off the Hair Metal Craze in the 1980s

The Cataclysmic Song Michael Stipe Wrote After Waking From a State of REM, Inspired by Bob Dylan’s “Subterranean Homesick Blues”

Luke Bryan Had a Massive Hit With This Song, After Jason Aldean Passed on It

Luke Bryan Had a Massive Hit With This Song, After Jason Aldean Passed on It

More stories

  • Sheryl Crow Sang the Demo on This Massive Hit for Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood

    Sheryl Crow Sang the Demo on This Massive Hit for Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood

    March 29, 2026, 2:00 pm

  • Behind Reba McEntire’s Fiancé's Favorite Reba Song

    Behind Reba McEntire’s Fiancé’s Favorite Reba McEntire Song

    March 28, 2026, 5:26 pm

  • Paul McCartney Reminisces About the Time His Post-Beatles Band Wings Scored a Hit Single with a Song Based on a Nursery Rhyme

    Remember When Wings Responded to Getting Banned From the Radio With a Nursery Rhyme?

  • Don Grady from 'My Three Sons' and temporary member of The Yellow Balloon

    How a 1967 One-Hit Wonder Got Banned From the Radio Without a Real Band Behind the Track

    March 28, 2026, 9:05 am

  • James Taylor Inspired What Became One of Garth Brooks’ Most Heartwarming Songs

    How James Taylor Inspired What Became One of Garth Brooks’ Most Heartwarming Songs

    March 28, 2026, 8:30 am

  • Prince performing

    This 1985 Prince Classic Was Nearly Released by Girl Group Apollonia 6

    March 28, 2026, 5:00 am

  • Elvis Presley in 1962

    This 1962 Elvis Presley Song Was Outdated Within Months, Thanks to This Governmental Change

    March 27, 2026, 10:31 am

  • Cat Stevens Gave This 1971 Hit Away Before Recording It Himself

    March 27, 2026, 5:00 am

  • Linda Ronstadt performing in 1977

    How a 1977 Linda Ronstadt Hit Turned Into an Eye-Rolling Pun in the Baseball World

  • Brian and Marilyn Wilson in 1965

    The Many Women Who (Supposedly) Inspired Brian Wilson’s First and Only Top 40 Solo Record

    March 26, 2026, 10:16 am

  • 3 Gems From the Lost Era of Country Christmas TV Specials (the Stars Who Used to Rule December)

    The Story Behind the 1984 Song Dolly Parton Gave to Friend Kenny Rogers But Never Recorded Herself

    March 26, 2026, 6:00 am

  • Johnny Cash and Vivien Liberto

    This Johnny Cash Classic Had a Much More Salacious Meaning (And Different Songwriter), According to His First Wife

    March 25, 2026, 10:24 am

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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
      • Promotion Winners
  • 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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