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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

  • 4 Country Classics Made Even Better by an Unforgettable Harmony

    Dolly Parton Was Unsure About This Song From 1977 (And Then It Went Gold)

    June 8, 2026, 11:30 am

  • Lady A Recorded This Heartbreaking Song That Ryan Hurd Wrote for Himself Instead

    Lady A Recorded This Heartbreaking Song That Ryan Hurd Intended To Use for Himself

    June 8, 2026, 10:30 am

  • UNSPECIFIED - DECEMBER 01: Photo of Dan Hartman (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

    Why Dan Hartman’s Biggest Hit From 1984 Had To Deal With Some Mistaken Identity

  • FRANCE - DECEMBER 08: Kool And The Gang On Stage On December 8th, 1986 In Paris,France (Photo by Frederic REGLAIN/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

    Kool & The Gang’s Last Top 40 Hit Marked the End of a Specific Era of the Band

    June 7, 2026, 12:00 pm

  • English singer, musician and songwriter Howard Jones during a performance, UK, 14th March 1985. (Photo by Stoddart/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

    Howard Jones’ First US Top 40 Hit Established Him as a Promoter of Positivity

    June 7, 2026, 9:30 am

  • The Who performing in 1968

    The Who Flop That the Band Wished Pete Townshend Would’ve Just Given To Small Faces Instead

    June 6, 2026, 5:15 pm

  • The Cars in late 70s

    “Way Too Much”: This 1979 Track by The Cars Was More Sarcastic Than Most People Realized

    June 6, 2026, 5:00 pm

  • Jackson Browne’s First Hit Single Was Inspired by a Temporary Loss of Vision

    Jackson Browne’s First Hit Single Was Inspired by a Temporary Loss of Vision

    June 6, 2026, 4:00 pm

  • Kenny Rogers Was Supposed To Record This Song, Which Became a Big Hit for Reba McEntire Instead

    Kenny Rogers Was Supposed To Record This Song, Which Became a Big Hit for Reba McEntire Instead

  • 1986: Swedish singer of rock band Europe, Joey Tempest (Photo by BSR Agency/Gentle Look via Getty Images)

    How the Band Europe Turned a Keyboard Riff Into Glam Metal Gold

    June 6, 2026, 9:30 am

  • Pop group the Bee Gees posed with a stuffed polar bear in an office in London circa April 1968. Members of the band are, from left, Colin Petersen, Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb (1949-2003), Robin Gibb (1949-2012) and Vince Melouney. (Photo by Ivan Keeman/Redferns)

    The Mysterious Bee Gees Hit That Became a Signature Song for Robin Gibb

    June 6, 2026, 7:00 am

  • The Doors (L-R Robby Krieger, John Densmore, Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek, house band at the Whisky a Go Go pose for a portrait in My 1966 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

    The Doors Once Got Fired From a Residency at Whisky a Go Go (And the Song That Sealed Their Fate Became Legendary)

    June 5, 2026, 6:30 pm

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      • Sign up for The Daily Co-Write
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  • Contests
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      • 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
    • Contest Promotions
      • Promotion Winners
  • Community
    • Subscribe to Magazine
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    • Apply To Songwriting Camps
    • Pass The Mic Songwriter Series
    • Become Songwriter Member
    • Access Membership Hub
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  • Learn
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    • Co-Writing Rooms
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