The Mistake He Made as a Teenager That Inspired One of the Most Famous Songs of the 1980s
When this song became a worldwide hit in 1984, George Michael was still a young man.
They Didn’t Know They Were Creating a Timeless Classic
In 1964, two songwriters were given a simple assignment: write something for a new singing duo Phil Spector wanted to record.
There’s No Drummer on This Hit, Just a Man Slapping His Knees
No drums, just a record boss patting his knees. The story behind a bouncy 1954 classic.
In 1971, One Heartbreaking Song Made Millions Feel the Pain of Losing Someone
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The B-Side Nobody Was Supposed to Play
In 1958, a 17-year-old guitarist from Pacoima, California, named Ritchie Valens was on the rise. His family spoke English at home, and he knew very little Spanish. His producer, Bob Keane, had a ballad ready for the A-side of Ritchie’s next single: “Donna,” written for Ritchie’s girlfriend. For the flip side, they chose a traditional […]
This Hit Started as a Stack of Love Letters
A neighbor’s love letters, five kids from Harlem, and a 13-year-old lead singer. The story behind a 1956 doo-wop classic.
In 1982, One Unforgettable Melody Took Millions of Listeners Somewhere They Had Never Been
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A Man Wrote This Song, but a Woman Made It Legendary
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This Garage Demo With a Barking Dog Became a Classic
Pillows on the drums, a neighbor’s dog, and a demo nobody meant to release. The story behind a 1954 doo-wop classic.
He Wrote This Song in a Hotel Washroom in 20 Minutes
A bold promise, a title made up on the spot, and twenty minutes in a Las Vegas washroom. The story behind a 1955 classic.