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.

Behind The Song

05.23.24

The Story Behind “19th Nervous Breakdown” by The Rolling Stones and How the Tension Affecting the Band at the Time Informed a Classic

By Jay McDowell
Behind The Song

05.22.24

The Meaning Behind “Oxford Comma” by Vampire Weekend and Their Shout-Out to Lil Jon

By Thom Donovan
Behind The Song

05.22.24

The Story and Meaning Behind “Chest Fever,” The Band’s Most Rollicking, Mysterious Track

By Jim Beviglia
Behind The Song

05.22.24

The Story and Meaning Behind “I Found Out” by John Lennon and How It Was His Statement of Personal Independence

By Jim Beviglia
Features

05.22.24

Behind the Humorous Meaning of “One More Last Chance” by Vince Gill

By Alex Hopper
Behind The Song

05.22.24

The Story and Meaning Behind “Weight of the World,” the Ringo Starr Comeback Single that Should Have Been a Hit

By Jim Beviglia
Behind The Song

05.22.24

Joni Mitchell’s “Coyote” and the Playwright Lover Who Inspired It

By Melanie Davis
Behind The Song

05.22.24

The Meaning Behind “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears and How Don Henley Inspired It

By Thom Donovan
Behind The Song

05.21.24

You Can’t Spell Control Without C-O-N: The Story Behind “Complete Control” by The Clash

By Jay McDowell
Behind The Song

05.21.24

The “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” Controversy Tom Petty Once Had To Shut Down

By Melanie Davis
Features

05.21.24

Behind the Meaning of “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” by Taylor Swift

By Alex Hopper
Behind The Song

05.21.24

“Shoot ‘Em in the Back Now”: The Story Behind the Overwhelming Assault of “Blitzkrieg Bop” by the Ramones

By Jay McDowell

Latest

Portrait of musician Carlene Carter, Chicago, Illinois, November 17, 1990. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)

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American rock guitarist and singer Jimi Hendrix (1942-1970) performs live on stage playing a white Fender Stratocaster guitar with The Jimi Hendrix Experience at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 24th February 1969. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)

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34 minutes ago

3 Rock Songs From the 1960s That Star the Epic Wah-Wah Pedal
Photo by David Redfern/Redferns

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1 hour ago

4 of the All-Time Best Folk Rock One-Liners From 1975
Earth Wind And Fire perform at Music for UNICEF Concert at The United Nations in New York, on January 9, 1979. https://www.smoothradio.com/features/the-story-of/i-will-survive-gloria-gaynor-lyrics-meaning-facts/

The List

2 hours ago

3 Classic Songs That Remind Me Why I Still Love the Fall Season