The singer of a smash isn't necessarily the one collecting its songwriting royalties. Writers can continue earning money when other performers record and stream their compositions, sometimes many years later. But most song-by-song earnings are private, so not every outside hit can be proven more profitable than its writer's own recordings.
By the early 1980s, Barbara Mandrell seemed unstoppable. She had chart-topping songs, major country awards, and a network television show watched by millions. Then a horrific collision in 1984 changed her life. Survival began her next chapter.
A recording studio sounds like the obvious place to make a hit album. Yet some musicians preferred castles, bedrooms, barns, and even a recording booth barely big enough for one person. These stories prove that a memorable setting can become part of music history, sometimes in ways nobody planned.
The 1970s produced some of the most unforgettable songs in music history, but many listeners never knew what inspired them. Some came from major historical events, while others grew out of unexpected encounters, personal heartbreak, or childhood memories. Behind these familiar melodies are fascinating true stories that make the music even more meaningful.
Discover 14 iconic 1980s music videos that MTV censored, edited, or restricted, featuring Cher, Duran Duran, George Michael, and other stars whose original footage shocked television executives and audiences.
The 1970s turned movie soundtracks into something you could enjoy long after the theater lights came up. Some albums outsold expectations, some introduced entire musical styles to new listeners, and others produced singles bigger than the films themselves. How many of these records lived beside your family stereo?
Before they became famous Hollywood faces, these actors and actresses lent their voices to hit records, often without audiences realizing who was singing.
