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The Classic Rock Band Bruce Springsteen Credits for His Early Style, and His Failed Attempt to Emulate Them
If anyone has ever dreamed of becoming a rockstar it’s more than likely you’ve asked yourself the following questions. What kind of guitar would I play? What would my voice sound like? Would ...
7 Recent Goth Rock Tracks to Gloom Out to
The state of goth rock in 2024 is pretty strong. There are plenty of passionate younger bands keeping the old school spirit of the music alive, and there are also those offering their own spin on...
https://americansongwriter.com/7-recent-goth-rock-tracks-to-gloom-out-to/
Neil Young’s Two Favorite Rock Legends: “They Were Way Beyond”
When music fans make lists of their favorite legendary artists, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Neil Young on a few of them. Young is one of the most beloved musicians of all time. His music h...
https://americansongwriter.com/neil-youngs-two-favorite-rock-legends-they-were-way-beyond/
The Meaning Behind “Mountain Song” by Jane’s Addiction and the Tragedy that Shaped It
Coming down the mountain! That’s how Perry Farrell begins “Mountain Song,” Jane’s Addiction’s alternative national anthem. When Jane’s Addiction released their debut studio album Noth...
George Jones’ 1986 Court-Ordered Performance With Patty Loveless and John Anderson in Franklin, Tennessee
It’s a tale as old as time—country musicians getting arrested and facing jail time. Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, and Johnny Paycheck are some of the legends that jump to mind, and another musi...
The Beautiful Stevie Nicks Duet She Believed in Her Heart Would “Live on Forever”
Stevie Nicks has always been known for being more than just a pop star. Instead, she has been considered a musical poet who upholds courageous and honest ideals in her work. Given this dispositio...
6 Underrated Artists from the 1990s You Need to Hear
The 1990s popular music landscape marked a major cultural change following the visual and musical excesses of the Decade of Decadence. Many bands and solo artists preferred a stripped-down, more ...
https://americansongwriter.com/6-underrated-artists-from-the-1990s-you-need-to-hear/
Writer’s Block: From Ultravox, Thin Lizzy, Live Aid, Solo and Beyond, Midge Ure Still Likens Songwriting to Baking a Cake
In 1977, Midge Ure left the Scottish pop group PVC2 to form the Rich Kids with former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock. The band only released one album Ghosts of Princes in Towers, before parting ways in...
The 5 Best Paul Simon Songs of the 2000s
Paul Simon seems to respond to each era with a batch of songs that are tailor-made for the times. That hasn’t stopped since the turn of the millennium, even if his new releases don’t get as m...
https://americansongwriter.com/the-5-best-paul-simon-songs-of-the-2000s/
Remember When: R.E.M. Played Their Final Full Concert in Mexico, 2008
Before R.E.M. disbanded in 2011, the band played one final show together in Mexico City on November 18, 2008, during their Accelerate Tour. At the time, the band’s final performance with foundi...
https://americansongwriter.com/remember-when-r-e-m-played-their-final-full-concert-in-mexico-2008/
Ranking the 5 Best Songs on The Cars’ Brilliant Self-Titled Debut Album
There are a few classic studio albums that are filled with so many killer songs that they almost feel as if they were greatest hits records. The Cars managed one of those albums their very first ...
Watch an Awestruck Vince Gill Play “Goin’ Down the Road Feelin’ Bad” with His Musical Hero Chet Atkins
Vince Gill was at the top of his game in the mid-90s. By 1996, he had won 11 CMA Awards including three consecutive Male Vocalist of the Year awards and an Entertainer of the Year award. At the s...
What are The Hollies’ 5 Biggest U.S. Hits?
Many British Invasion bands enjoyed a brief heyday in the U.S. charts in the 1960s before dropping off considerably. The Hollies bucked that trend as they not only withstood the decade switch, bu...
https://americansongwriter.com/what-are-the-hollies-5-biggest-u-s-hits/
Carrie Underwood’s Ozzy Osbourne Cover Has “Grizzled Head-Banging Metalhead” in Tears
Since winning season 4 of American Idol in 2005, Carrie Underwood has certainly conquered the country music charts. Recently, she set her sights on heavier territory. The 16-time ACM Award winner...
Recent “One-Hit Wonders” That Were Able to Shed the Dreaded Label
In the music business being a one-hit wonder is the kiss of death. Fleeting fame, kitschy legacies, and a fall from grace are all what the title seemingly ensues. Musicians work too hard and give...
https://americansongwriter.com/recent-one-hit-wonders-that-were-able-to-shed-the-dreaded-label/
Behind the Changing Meaning of “Where You Lead” by Carole King
Though it wasn’t a featured song on Carole King‘s Tapestry, “Where You Lead” made enough of a splash to become one of her most memorable songs. A large part of its prestige is due to its ...
https://americansongwriter.com/behind-the-changing-meaning-of-where-you-lead-by-carole-king/
Ranking the 5 Best Album-Closers by Billy Joel
Billy Joel has released a dozen albums in the pop-rock vein throughout his career. (Notice we used the word “has,” because we’re holding out hope that there’s more to come.) Many of those...
https://americansongwriter.com/ranking-the-5-best-album-closers-by-billy-joel/
3 Famous (and Genius) Musicians With PhDs
It often seems that musicians are pigeonholed by their vocation thanks to the tireless work and dedication it entails. This is far from the truth. Numerous musicians have had successful careers o...
https://americansongwriter.com/3-famous-and-genius-musicians-with-phds/
On This Day in 1967, Dolly Parton Kicked off Her Iconic Career with Her Debut Album ‘Hello, I’m Dolly’
On this day (September 18), in 1967, Dolly Parton released her debut album, Hello, I’m Dolly. The album is an early example of Parton’s songwriting prowess. At the same time, the success of t...
Neon Trees Frontman Tyler Glenn Talks About Renewed Support and the Band’s First Studio Album in 4 Years
Pop-rockers Neon Trees are back with Sink Your Teeth, their first studio album in four years. It’s a time of major renewal for them. When frontman Tyler Glenn recently spoke to American Songwri...
4 Great Songs by Famous Artists Featuring Vocals by Late Songwriting Legend JD Souther
The sad news of the death of legendary songwriter JD Souther is reverberating throughout the music world. Souther, who passed away Tuesday, September 17, at age 78, was best-known for co-writing ...
4 of the Best Country Songs Written by Married Couples
Songwriting is an intimate practice. Co-writing likely even more so. Sharing your inner most thoughts with someone is not something everyone feels inclined to do, so to make it easier, why not co...
https://americansongwriter.com/4-of-the-best-country-songs-written-by-married-couples/
The 5 Most Bizarre Songs by The Beatles
If The Beatles taught us nothing else, it’s that they were unafraid to follow their muses wherever they might have led, even if that took them way outside the established boundaries of rock and...
https://americansongwriter.com/the-5-most-bizarre-songs-by-the-beatles/
4 of the Best Covers of Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love”
Bob Dylan‘s “Make You Feel My Love” has achieved something so few songs do in this day in age when music is prolific and the choices are endless: becoming a certified standard. Yes, countle...
https://americansongwriter.com/4-of-the-best-covers-of-bob-dylans-make-you-feel-my-love/
Merle Haggard and The 3 Protégés Who Stood By Him
Merle Haggard was a man who wore many hats. Most notably a singer/songwriter, but also a husband, father, reformed criminal, and mentor to some of country music’s greatest stars. Being the clas...
https://americansongwriter.com/merle-haggard-and-the-3-proteges-who-stood-by-him/
5 Amazing Albums Released 50 Years Ago This Month
September 1974 was an outstanding month if you were a music fan. Looking at the list of albums released in that stretch of time, it’s quite impressive how many of them are considered classics t...
https://americansongwriter.com/5-amazing-albums-released-50-years-ago-this-month-2/
Exclusive: Elle King Got Sober, Is Feeling God’s Rewards With New Song “High Road”
Elle King didn’t think anyone would ever attend one of her concerts again. About nine months ago, King was part of the Grand Ole Opry tribute for Dolly Parton’s 78th birthday at Ryman Auditor...
The Story Behind How Kris Kristofferson Would Do Things According to Tim McGraw’s Namesake Hit
I’m gonna grab my old guitar, take a pencil from the jar, fill in the empty space … Like Kristofferson would do, sings Tim McGraw on his 2007 hit “Kristofferson.” Written by Anthony Smith...
Behind the Album: ‘Night Moves,’ Bob Seger’s Long-Awaited Ticket to Rock Stardom
Artists usually don’t have their breakthrough nine albums and a decade or so into their recording career. But then again, when an album is as wonderfully realized as Night Moves, which was rele...
Watch: Pink Floyd Perform “Breathe” Through “Comfortably Numb” One Final Time During 2005 Live 8 Concert
Once Roger Waters left Pink Floyd in 1985, the band lost a piece of its dynamic. Though David Gilmour, Nick Mason, and Richard Wright continued touring through 1994 and released The Division Be...