Articles and Interviews

“God Bless America”

As America’s most successful songwriter, the 50-year-old Irving Berlin penned an anthem that would inspire his fellow men to live in harmony.

“(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”

The story behind the writing of Otis Redding’s hit song, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay”.

On October 15, 1951, the very first episode of the I Love Lucy show aired on CBS and became the most watched TV show in the U.S. for four of its seven-year run. Here’s the story behind the theme song.

“I Want To Hold Your Hand”

The story behind “I Want To Hold Your Hand,” a song written by Lennon and McCartney in response to their manager, asking them to write something for the American market.

“From A Distance”

Julie Gold tells the story of writing the Grammy-winning song “From A Distance” while she was a still secretary at HBO, and how it changed her life.

“Heartbreak Hotel”

On Jan. 10, 1956, Elvis Presley went into Nashville’s RCA Studio to record “Heartbreak Hotel” which went on to become his first #1 hit.

“Mercedes Benz”

It’s Thursday, Oct. 1, 1970 at the Sunset Sound recording studio in Los Angeles. Janis Joplin asks producer Paul Rothchild to roll tape. She has a song she’d like to sing.

“The Girl From Ipanema”

The story behind “The Girl From Ipanema,” the second-most recorded song in history by composer Antonio Carlos Jobim and the poet Vinícius de Moraes.

“Our House”

Here is the story—in Graham Nash’s own words—behind the classic “Our House,” one of the sweetest love songs ever written while he was living with Joni Mitchell.

“Okie From Muskogee”

Merle Haggard recalls the inspiration behind his polarizing 1969 anthem, “Okie From Muskogee”

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”

The story behind Bob Mays’ beloved Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a story written to comfort his daughter and was turned into a best-selling Christmas song.