How the Song Came to Be
‘It’s the Real Thing’: When a Coke Ad Inspired 2 Hit Singles
In 1971, the creative director for the beverage’s ad agency wrote down the words “I’d like to buy the world a Coke.” His vision for a new campaign took off
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‘Love Me Do’: The Beatles’ 1st Single Was the Sound of Identity
We don’t talk about it as one of the great debut singles, but perhaps that’s because it transcends the normal categories.
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‘Yellow Submarine’ Before It Was ‘Yellow Submarine’— A Naked Submersible, Sung By John Lennon
Most fans had no idea that these early compositional demos of the song existed. Now that we do, we can never think of it the same way again.
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Al Kooper on Recording “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” With the Stones
“Mick wore a gorilla coat and Keith a hat with a long feather. Everyone sat around and they passed out acoustic guitars.”–Kooper
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Pete Townshend’s ‘Teenage Wasteland’
For years, he worked on an ambitious project called Lifehouse. It was intended to be another rock opera and a logical follow-up to Tommy. This song evolved into “Baba O’Riley”
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They’re Coming to Take Me Away, Ha-Haaa!
It was bizarre but an instant smash hit. Then there was a backlash. Read the strange tale of Napoleon XIV and hear the song that drove people mad.
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The Rolling Stones’ ‘Out of Time’: The Backstory
It started out as a throwaway track stuck on a contractual-obligation album, became a hit cover for someone else, and now the Stones are playing it live.
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‘Wichita Lineman’ Book: Exclusive Excerpt
The Jimmy Webb favorite, as sung by Glen Campbell, is the subject of a new book by author Dylan Jones, who has written books on David Bowie and Jim Morrison
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