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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.

More stories

  • 3 Comments

    Jackie DeShannon Wrote This 60s Classic While Recalling Her Mother’s Advice

    February 3, 2026, 7:15 am

  • Bob Dylan’s Last Top 40 Hit Reflected a Major Life Change

    February 3, 2026, 5:00 am

  • The ‘Graceland’ Track That Made Peter Gabriel Say Paul Simon Penned the “Most Extraordinary Lyrics Written on a Rock Song”

  • On This Day in 1984: Duran Duran Scored Their First No. 1 Hit on the ‘Billboard’ Hot 100 with “The Reflex”

    The 80s Hit You’d Swear Is Duran Duran (Because It Kind of Was)

    February 2, 2026, 7:15 am

  • Bob Dylan performing in 1982

    This Bob Dylan Album Closer Went Back in Time Two Decades, Inspired by a Fleeting Moment With a Manhattan Call Girl

    February 1, 2026, 4:48 pm

  • Over 60 Tracks of Marvin Gaye Found in Belgium

    Marvin Gaye’s First Top 40 Hit Came With Its Own Dance Move

    February 1, 2026, 5:00 am

  • How Surgery Indirectly Led to Bonnie Tyler’s First Big Hit

    January 31, 2026, 6:45 am

  • How Clint Eastwood’s “The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly” and a National Health Crisis Inspired This 1980 AC/DC Classic

    January 30, 2026, 10:42 am

  • The Classic Rock Song That Devastated Keith Richards

    “One of the Heaviest Hammers That Ever Hit Me”: The Classic 1950s Rock Song That Devastated Keith Richards

  • UNSPECIFIED - FEBRUARY 01: Photo of Animotion (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

    Animotion’s Debut Smash Hit in 1984 Was Originally a Little-Heard Duet

    January 30, 2026, 5:00 am

  • How Pat Benatar Found Her Last Top 40 Hit From an Unlikely Source

    January 29, 2026, 7:00 am

  • The Decades-Long Bond Between Elton John and Ozzy Osbourne and the Story Behind Their Final Collaboration in 2020

    January 29, 2026, 6:00 am

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    • Subscribe to Newsletter
      • Sign up for The Daily Co-Write
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  • 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
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    • Foundations Songwriting Course
    • Apply To Songwriting Camps
    • Become Songwriter Member
    • Access Membership Hub
    • Manage My Subscription/Membership
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