How the Song Came to Be
The Scene: How the Song Came to Be

Joni Mitchell’s ‘Woodstock’: Behind the Song

The composer of one of the greatest countercultural anthems never made it to the festival that served as the song’s subject.

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The Scene: How the Song Came to Be

10cc “I’m Not in Love”: Well, My High School Self Was, Actually

Best Classic Bands’ founder tells how the hit song always brings him back to the spring of his senior year, and how five decades later he got its co-writer, Graham Gouldman, to tell him how it came to be.

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The Scene: How the Song Came to Be

Mark Lindsay, Hal Blaine and the Raiders’ #1 Hit, ‘Indian Reservation’

Our interview with the star about the legendary drummer who made magic happen at the recording session and the single’s unusual path to success.

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The Scene: How the Song Came to Be

Creedence: ‘Green River’—Admit It, You Don’t Know the Lyrics

John Fogerty’s lyrics have a creative imagery and he has a unique way of pronouncing them. You’ve sung along dozens of times but do you know the words?

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The Scene: How the Song Came to Be

Iron Butterfly’s Classic ‘In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida’

The single and album signaled a shift from the psychedelic sound toward something more aggressive, loud and primal. Rock fans either loved it or hated it.

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The Scene: How the Song Came to Be

‘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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The Scene: How the Song Came to Be

Joan Baez ‘Diamonds & Rust’—Reflections on Her Friend Bob

Dylan asked her who her new song was about. She told him it was about her ex-husband. It wasn’t, of course. It was about Bob Dylan.

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The Scene: How the Song Came to Be

The Five Americans’ Catchy Hit, ‘Western Union’: Dit-Da-Dit-Da-Dit

The clean-cut band from Oklahoma chose its name to help stand out from groups that were part of the British Invasion, and scored a catchy single in 1967.

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The Scene: How the Song Came to Be

The Doobie Brothers’ ‘What a Fool Believes’: Behind Their #1 Hit

The song almost didn’t happen. Michael McDonald’s sister told him it sounded like ‘circus music’ and to forget it. Good thing he didn’t listen to her!

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The Scene: How the Song Came to Be

Elton John’s ‘Levon’: A Pauper to a Pawn

The first single from 1971’s Madman Across the Water is “one of our finest moments lyrically and melodically” and includes Paul Buckmaster’s soaring orchestral arrangements.

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