Song Backstories
This song was written specifically to mock party anthems, but is commonly used as a party anthem instead.
"(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right" by The Beastie Boys
Fleetwood Mac
Dreams
"Under Pressure"
David Bowie & Freddie Mercury
Robert Allen Zimmerman is the real name of this 60s musician
Bob Dylan
Michelle Phillips, John Phillips, Denny Doherty, and Cass Elliot
The Mamas and The Papas
This song was inspired by the phone number of the Cafe Rouge in New York City which many musicians of the time played at.
"Pennsylvania 6-5000" by The Glenn Miller Band
The Beatles
Here Comes The Sun
Say Say Say", "The Girl Is Mine", and "The Man"
Paul McCartney & Michael Jackson
This group was originally called "The Pendletones" before they were renamed by Candix records when releasing their first single.
The Beach Boys
Jim McGuinn, Gene Clark, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, and Chris Hillman
The Byrds
While this song is commonly used to be patriotic, it actually criticizes the government's involvement in a war 20 years prior.
"Born in the USA" by Bruce Springsteen
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Mary Jane's Last Dance
"Dancing In The Street"
David Bowie & Mick Jagger
This famous guitarist opened for the Monkees on one of their tours, and reportedly flipped off the audience when they were less than pleased with his performance.
Jimi Hendrix
Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay, Bruce Palmer, and Dewey Martin
Buffalo Springfield
Dennis Wilson bought a song from this man with the condition that none of the lyrics were to be changed. But when the group ignored this request the man threated Wilson's children and was subsequently beaten by Wilson.
Charles Manson
Glen Campbell
Southern Nights
"Handle With Care", "Not Alone Anymore", and "End of The Line"
George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Jeff Lynn, Roy Orbison, & Tom Petty
This teen idol and musician was on the Ed Sullivan show in 1964, the same night as the Beatles, playing as the Artful Dodger.
Davy Jones
Chris Difford, Glenn Tilbrook, Jools Holland, Harry Kakoulli, and Paul Gunn
Squeeze
This song's title was inspired by a line in Young Frankenstein where the main character arrives at the train station and the assistant tells him to...
"Walk This Way" by Aerosmith
Peter and Gordon
A World Without Love
"Somethin' Stupid"
Frank Sinatra & Nancy Sinatra
This song covered by The Kingsmen in 1963 was controversial due to lyrics being sung in a way that made them incredibly hard to discern. The FBI even opened a file to investigate possible obscenity.
"Louie, Louie"
Gerard Way, Mikey Way, and Frank Iero
My Chemical Romance