American Songwriter

5 Iconic Rock Songs That Started Out as Pure Gibberish Before Becoming Smash Hits

The fact that these iconic rock songs started out as gibberish didn't stop them from becoming full-blown hits.

3 Romantic Lyrics From 60s Folk Songs That Will Make You Want To Fall in Love

Here are some incredibly romantic lyrics from one of the most romantic genres: good old-fashioned 60s folk music.

How a Quasi-Reggae Beat and a Weird Title Landed Led Zeppelin in the Top 20 in 1973

Led Zeppelin were all about trying new things in 1973. The reggae homage "D'yer Mak'er" really pushed the boundaries.

3 Rock Songs From the 1980s That Will Actually Make You Smarter

The 1980s brought music fans a window into the truth. Indeed, these are three rock songs from the 1980s that will actually make you smarter.

If You Went to Prom in 1974, You Remember These 3 One-Hit Wonders

These one-hit wonders from 1974 were essentially listening during prom that year (and, honestly, quite a few years after).

3 Country Songs From 1973 That Every 70s Kid Can Still Sing Word for Word Today

These are three of the best country songs from 1973 that are so good, it's likely that every 70s kid still knows them word for word today.

Born 82 Years Ago in Louisiana, the 80s Country Hitmaker Whose Songs Have Been Recorded by Waylon Jennings, Merle Haggard, and the Oak Ridge Boys

Eighty-two years ago today, the Cajun country singer who dominated the charts in the 1980s was born in Louisiana.

Diane Warren Inspired What Became One of Jo Dee Messina’s Biggest Hits

Diane Warren inspired a song that became a big hit for Jo Dee Messina in 2003, from her 'Greatest Hits' album.

How an Off-Color Remark From a Fan Predicted The Kinks’ Follow-up to Their Hit Song, “Lola”

The Kinks songwriter Ray Davies shares the story of how a fan inadvertently guessed the premise of their "Lola" follow-up, "Apeman".

Actors Playing The Beatles in Upcoming Biopics Spotted Recreating the Iconic 'Abbey Road' Cover

The Beatles' iconic walk across Abbey Road is getting the film treatment, as the cast of the upcoming biopics were spotted recreating the scene.

The Story Behind Paul McCartney and Wings’ Most Unfiltered and Earnest Song Ever

Revisit the story of Paul McCartney and Wings' most earnest and heartfelt song ever, which also happened to be a response to backlash.

3 Songs From the 1960s That Will Turn You Into a Classic Rock Fan

The 1960s is worth remembering. These are three songs from the 1960s that will turn you into a classic rock fan.

Robert Plant Was in a “Very Bad Mood” When He Wrote Led Zeppelin’s Biggest Hit

Robert Plant admits he was in a very bad mood when he wrote what remains a Led Zeppelin classic song today.

Remembering When Donald Fagen Brought Some “Steely” Resolve to His First Solo Album in 1982

Donald Fagen needed a challenge after the end of Steely Dan. His first solo album provided that and then some.

3 of the Best Last No. 1 Hits of 70s Classic Rock

Here are a few hits from the 70s that were rock artists final No. 1's. Give some of these gems a listen or two.

These 3 Songs by The Byrds Should Have Been Bigger Hits at Radio

These are three of the best songs by The Byrds, which should have been bigger hits at radio than what they were.

3 Early Lonestar Hits That Would Still Work on Country Radio Today

These are three of the best early hits by Lonestar, which are so good, they would still work at radio today.

I Dug Into the Lyrics of 5 Classic Murder Ballads—Here’s the Darkest One

All five of these murder ballads are unsettlingly creepy, but there is one that stands out among the rest as the darkest by far.