Songs with cool stories behind them

[prohornblower]

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]