Smooth Criminal, by Michael Jackson and Alien Ant Farm Michael Jackson released “Smooth Criminal” in October1988 as a part of his “Bad” album. The song was written and produced by Michael Jackson himself and tells the story of a woman named Annie who is attacked in her apartment by a “smooth” criminal. The inspiration for […]
Mad World “Mad World” was released by the British band Tears for Fears in 1982. It was written by Roland Orzabal, the lead vocalist of Tears for Fears, and performed by the band’s lead singer, Curt Smith. The lyrics were inspired by the book “The Catcher in the Rye” by J.D. Salinger, which Orzabal had
All Along the Watchtower “All Along the Watchtower” was written and originally recorded by legendary musician Bob Dylan in 1967. Dylan wrote the song during a tumultuous time in American history. The lyrics are deeply metaphorical and cryptic, as is typical of many of Dylan’s songs. The title refers to a passage in the Bible’s
All Along the Watchtower Read More »
Zombie The Cranberries’ song “Zombie” was written by lead singer Dolores O’Riordan in 1993 in response to a bombing in Warrington, England that killed two children and injured over fifty others. The bombing was carried out by the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), a paramilitary group from Northern Ireland, as part of their campaign to
American Woman “American Woman” was originally written and performed by the Canadian rock band The Guess Who. It was released in 1970 as a single and became their biggest hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The song was written by the band’s guitarist, Randy Bachman. It became the band’s biggest hit
I Will Always Love You In 1973, Dolly Parton wrote “I Will Always Love You” as a farewell to her former mentor and performing partner Porter Wagoner. She had performed with Wagoner on his weekly TV show for seven years and by the early 1970s she was eager to pursue a solo career. Parton and
I Will Always Love You Read More »
Autumn Leaves Autumn Leaves, or “Les feuilles mortes” in French was originally composed by Joseph Kosma with lyrics by Jacques Prévert in 1945. The song begins with the iconic opening lines: “The falling leaves drift by the window, the autumn leaves of red and gold.” The song’s lyrics are a reflection on the fleeting nature
Hurt, by Johnny Cash and Nine Inch Nails Johnny Cash’s 2002 version of “Hurt” is is an emotionally charged cover of the song originally written and performed by Nine Inch Nails. Nine Inch Nails’ lead singer and songwriter Trent Reznor wrote the song during a period of depression and self-destructive behavior, reflecting on his own
