Behind the Song

“Picture Book”

I always knew that song would have its day,” Ray Davies says of 1968’s “Picture Book.” “Sometimes you just know. It was never a hit, but it’s become a hit in another way.”

“The Andy Griffith Show” Theme

The Andy Griffith Show‘s theme song, “The Fishin’ Hole,” was written by Earle Hagen and Herbert Spencer with (rarely heard) lyrics by Everett Sloane.

“The Highwayman”

Jimmy Webb tells the story behind the writing of “The Highwayman” which became a hit for the super group of Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

“Bohemian Rhapsody”

It’s a testament to Freddie Mercury’s adeptness as a songwriter and Queen’s musicianship that the disparate parts of “Bohemian Rhapsody” add up to such a glorious sum.

“Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head”

By late 1969, Burt Bacharach and Hal David were kings of the pop songwriting game, with their biggest hit was just around the corner.

“Landslide”

Stevie Nicks tells the story behind her song “Landslide.”

“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”

In 1965 The Rolling Stones were in the middle of their second US tour as headliners and needed a defining single that would put them over the top.

“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.