How the Song Came to Be

‘Dancing in the Moonlight’—The Circuitous Path of the One and Only King Harvest Hit

Everybody was “Dancing in the Moonlight” in the early ’70s, but who was the band that recorded this catchy one-hit wonder? We decided to find out.

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‘Dueling Banjos’ From ‘Deliverance’: An Unlikely Hit

The song, featured prominently in the 1972 thriller, was used without the permission of its composer. There’s actually only one banjo used

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Bon Jovi’s Game-Changing ‘Livin’ on a Prayer’

Guess who didn’t much care for the song that made the band a major force of rock for decades to come? And who’s just fine with it now…

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When Liberace Was “Feelin’ Groovy”

The famed entertainer performed it on national television in 1968. Our look back at the song’s history. (Its composer, Paul Simon, hates it.)

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From Bobby Freeman to the Beach Boys, Mamas & Papas and Ramones: How ‘Do You Wanna Dance’ Became a Rock ‘n’ Roll Classic

You’ve heard Freeman’s 1958 hit—and most famous song—performed by John Lennon, the Ramones and the Beach Boys. Here’s how it evolved

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Dion’s Moving ‘Abraham, Martin and John’

Tension was in the air in 1968 and rock music reflected the turmoil. Then came a voice from the past, gently singing of non-violence and hope.

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John Fogerty Talks About Writing ‘Proud Mary’

50 years after he began writing one of his most-beloved tracks, the musician shared how the song came to be

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Gerry Rafferty, ‘Baker Street,’ and That Sax Solo!

The smash hit was written while its author was hanging out in a flat in London, trying to escape from frustrating legal proceedings.

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Those Soul-Tastic James Brown Song Titles

Over 4 decades between his first and last chart entries, the “Godfather of Soul” helped define the times during the ’60s and ’70s

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‘Billy Jack’: One Tin Soldier Rides Away

The movie, directed, written and starring Tom Laughlin, had a long journey on its way to the screen. Its memorable song was recorded – and charted – multiple times

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