Songs with cool stories behind them
 

What are some songs that have interesting stories behind them? These stories may be well-known, or hardly known, but I'd like to see a list of songs with a neat backstory.

I'll start: "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" by the Beatles.

As I understand it, this was a song written by George Harrison late in the Beatles' days. The other 3 members didn't like it enough to record it. After much frustration, Harrison showed the song to buddy Eric Clapton, who thought it was terrific.

Clapton dropped by the studio one day and all the Beatles were on their "best behavior" and Eric sort of let it be known that he thought this song was great and should be recorded. The Beatles obliged, and allowed Eric to play the guitar solo that is heard in the song. Apparently, after they listened to the recording, Eric said "It isn't Beatlesy enough." and advised them to add some effect and slow it down a bit.

Thus was born a great song! One of my favorites by the Beatles. I'm sure many of you know this stuff, but maybe some don't. Let's hear other stories of the advent of great songs [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: Songs with cool stories behind them
 

Phil collins saw this guy drown, and someone stood idle and didn't help the dying man...

Re: Songs with cool stories behind them
 

Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight

It's about a guy who could've saved that other guy from drowning. But didn't. Phil saw the whole thing and at a show he found him.

Re: Songs with cool stories behind them
 

Another: "Layla" by Derek and the Dominoes (Clapton)

Eric Clapton wrote this song about George Harrison's then-wife. He had fallen madly in love with his good buddy's girl. The song "worked", and Clapton subsequently had the sexytime with his friends wife.

Years later the two remained friends, even despite the fact that Clapton had stolen his girl briefly.

Re: Songs with cool stories behind them
 

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Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight

It's about a guy who could've saved that other guy from drowning. But didn't. Phil saw the whole thing and at a show he found him.

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No, it isn't.

Re: Songs with cool stories behind them
 

There's a song Doc Watson does called "Rev. Hicks Farewell"
It was written by a reverend/missionary in Tennessee pre-Civil War. He had gotten sick and thinking he was going to die he wrote a song and sent it to his wife to possibly be published. The slow fiddle version on the Folkways release is haunting and awesome.

Ohio by N.Young. Pretty obvious one. About the Kent St. shootings.

I know a bunch of songs with cool stories behind them. I'll try to mention some more as I think of them.

Re: Songs with cool stories behind them
 

[ QUOTE ]
Another: "Layla" by Derek and the Dominoes (Clapton)

Eric Clapton wrote this song about George Harrison's then-wife. He had fallen madly in love with his good buddy's girl. The song "worked", and Clapton subsequently had the sexytime with his friends wife.

Years later the two remained friends, even despite the fact that Clapton had stolen his girl briefly.

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http://www.ericclaptonfaq.com/songs/...backstory.html

Re: Songs with cool stories behind them
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Another: "Layla" by Derek and the Dominoes (Clapton)

Eric Clapton wrote this song about George Harrison's then-wife. He had fallen madly in love with his good buddy's girl. The song "worked", and Clapton subsequently had the sexytime with his friends wife.

Years later the two remained friends, even despite the fact that Clapton had stolen his girl briefly.

[/ QUOTE ]

http://www.ericclaptonfaq.com/songs/...backstory.html

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Yea. That's a good one. Although her name was Patty I think. Probably hard to write a good song using the name Patty though.

Another Clapton one is "Tears in Heaven" about his son that fell out of the window.

Re: Songs with cool stories behind them
 

Cool site!

Re: Songs with cool stories behind them
 

Bob Dylan "Hurricane", about the Rubin "Hurricane" Carter murders.