I always enjoy learning the details behind songs I like, how the song came to be, what the inspiration was, and what was the artist thinking when they wrote a particular verse? Always enlightening and always entertaining to me. The 45 songs mentioned in this book settled some real mysteries for me. One of my all time favorite songs, “Time After Time,” by Cyndi Lauper such a touching song beautifully sung. The video will leave you in tears. So many people could relate that it was a huge hit for her. I was so glad to learn that the song was not about a devastating breakup in her life per se but a union between her and fellow songwriter Rob Hyman who were tossing around lyrics and melodies and came up with it. The girl could turn a phrase and Rob Hyman wasn’t bad either, originally it was written as a bouncy happy tune. I cannot even imagine the song as a happy tune but I would love to hear that version. So many great songs mentioned throughout this book and how some of the sound effects were stumbled upon think the intro to Steppenwolf’s “Magic Carpet Ride” and how many happy accidents occurred that were so good they were left in like the bleed through previous recording of Led Zepplin’s “Whole Lotta Love” that is often mistaken for an echo track but is actually an accident that sounded so cool on the playback they left it in. How R.E.M. who are fom Georgia took a southern phrase, “Why that’s about to make me lose my religion!” and turned it into a #1 hit for the group, “Losing My Religion.” I was relieved to find it was not someone questioning their faith but a play on how something is about to make you cuss or swear. You will learn about songs by the Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin, the Neville Brothers, the Dixie Cups, the Edwin Hawkins singers, Johnny Winter, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, John Fogarty, Jim Morrison, artists all over the charts what an excellent journey this was and for all of you trivia buffs you will learn a treasure trove of info here. While the book discusses 45 songs, it also discusses artists that did the songs, wrote the songs, played on the songs and how the songs relate to other artists who have performed them. George Clinton, Miles Davis and an eclectic star studded galaxy are mentioned that will empower you with so much new information to share you will be delighted that you read this one. You will also gain insight into the personalities of so many artists, be they musicians, singers and/or writers it is a pleasant plunge behind the scenes where fans don’t get to go but now they can know what it was like to be there. Excellent book.
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