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Remember When Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Covered Lucinda Williams’ Biggest Hit in 1996?
In 1989, Lucinda Williams released what became her biggest hit, which was later covered by Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers.
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This Marvin Gaye Song From 1968 Almost Wasn’t Released Before It Became His First No. 1 Hit
This song became Marvin Gaye’s first No. 1 hit, but it took some convincing first. Here’s the story behind “I Heard It Through The Grapevine”.
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A Sammy Kershaw and Lorrie Morgan Duet Led to This Hit for Trace Adkins in 2001
A 2001 hit for Trace Adkins happened thanks to a duet that was written for Sammy Kershaw and Lorrie Morgan.
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The Chicks Got the Name for This 1999 Song From Something Sandy Said in ‘Grease’
Songs can be inspired by pretty much anything. Did you know that this Chicks song was actually inspired by the 1978 musical ‘Grease’?
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This Legendary Joni Mitchell Song Has Been Recorded Over 1,000 Times and Became Judy Collins’ First Hit in 1968
In 1968, Judy Collins had her first hit with a song written by Joni Mitchell, which has been recorded more than a thousand times.
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Mac Davis Hated His First No. 1 Hit for Being “Super Egotistical”
In 1972, Mac Davis scored his first No. 1 hit as an artist with a song he wrote, even though he later said he hated it.
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This Multi-Platinum Steve Miller Band Hit Took Three Years To Record (And How a Supreme Helped Shake It Loose)
It took Steve Miller three years to write “Abacadabra”, which would become one of the most successful hits for The Steve Miller Band.
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How John Fogerty’s Upbringing Inspired “Fortunate Son” (And Why It Made Him “Suspicious” of Powerful People)
John Fogerty reveals how his family’s lack of wealth as a child helped inspire one of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s biggest hits.
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Remember When a Glam Metal Icon Covered a Frank Sinatra Song With Surprising Success in 1986?
In 1966, Frank Sinatra released one of his biggest hits, which was later covered by rocker David Lee Roth.
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This 1975 Hit Single Was Recorded by Two Country Icons Before Becoming a No. 1 Track for Someone Else in 1974
Freddy Fender had his first No. 1 single with a song that Charley Pride and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded first.
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How a Prestigious Awards Ceremony Inspired Jamey Johnson’s Biggest Hit From 2008
A prestigious awards show inspired what became this Jamey Johnson song, which remains his biggest hit as an artist.
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.
