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This cover version was inspired by Al Green's original 1974 recording.

Inspired by disco music and Kraftwerk's electronic sound

Blondie formed in New York around singer and songwriter Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band developed through downtown venues including CBGB's, bringing concise pop hooks into the city's punk and new...

Written for the movie "American Gigolo" and inspired by the film's themes of love and prostitution.

A satirical take on American optimism and problem-solving.

This song was one of the first to feature rap in a mainstream pop context.

Inspired by a chant heard at a Parliament-Funkadelic concert.

Originally written by drummer Topper Headon about an imaginary king who banned rock music.

This compilation album was inspired by the band's desire to introduce their music to the American market.

This quirky song comments on the fast-paced, chaotic nature of modern life.

The Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish band built around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid. Emerging from East Kilbride, they placed simple pop melodies within dense guitar feedback, an...

The pain of romantic disappointment

The Cure are a rock group associated with Robert Smith's distinctive singing and a balance of melancholy atmosphere and accessible melodies. Their guitar-driven post-punk beginnings developed into more layered...

Morrissey moved from his role as singer and lyricist in the Smiths to a solo recording career in 1988. Early solo songs such as Everyday Is Like Sunday and later singles including The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I...

Gigantic is listed on Pixies's Surfer Rosa. This is recording/album context, not a claimed personal songwriting inspiration.

Morrissey moved from his role as singer and lyricist in the Smiths to a solo recording career in 1988. Early solo songs such as Everyday Is Like Sunday and later singles including The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I...

Where Is My Mind? is listed on Pixies's Surfer Rosa. This is recording/album context, not a claimed personal songwriting inspiration.

Nirvana brought the Pacific Northwest's underground rock into a much wider audience through Nevermind in 1991. The band's music combined punk intensity with memorable pop melodies, connecting rough guitar sounds to...

Debaser is listed on Pixies's Doolittle. This is recording/album context, not a claimed personal songwriting inspiration.

Disintegration appears on The Cure's Disintegration. This is an album-context identification, not an inferred explanation of personal motivation.

Fascination Street appears on The Cure's Disintegration. This is an album-context identification, not an inferred explanation of personal motivation.

Here Comes Your Man is listed on Pixies's Doolittle. This is recording/album context, not a claimed personal songwriting inspiration.

Inspired by a cabin near Athens, Georgia where the band used to party and write music.

The Cure are a rock group associated with Robert Smith's distinctive singing and a balance of melancholy atmosphere and accessible melodies. Their guitar-driven post-punk beginnings developed into more layered...

Lullaby appears on The Cure's Disintegration. This is an album-context identification, not an inferred explanation of personal motivation.

Monkey Gone to Heaven is listed on Pixies's Doolittle. This is recording/album context, not a claimed personal songwriting inspiration.

Pictures of You appears on The Cure's Disintegration. This is an album-context identification, not an inferred explanation of personal motivation.

Plainsong appears on The Cure's Disintegration. This is an album-context identification, not an inferred explanation of personal motivation.

The song was inspired by the band's experiences with love and the music scene in Los Angeles.

Morrissey moved from his role as singer and lyricist in the Smiths to a solo recording career in 1988. Early solo songs such as Everyday Is Like Sunday and later singles including The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I...

Wave of Mutilation is listed on Pixies's Doolittle. This is recording/album context, not a claimed personal songwriting inspiration.

The power of silence in relationships

Alternative metal sound

Themes of honesty and deception

Wanderlust and adventure

Originally composed in 1982, it became a hit for Pearl Jam years later.

Drain You appears on Nirvana's Nevermind. This is an album-context identification, not an inferred explanation of personal motivation.

In Bloom appears on Nirvana's Nevermind. This is an album-context identification, not an inferred explanation of personal motivation.

Lithium appears on Nirvana's Nevermind. This is an album-context identification, not an inferred explanation of personal motivation.

Polly appears on Nirvana's Nevermind. This is an album-context identification, not an inferred explanation of personal motivation.

Offering support to those feeling alone

Kurt Cobain wanted to write a compelling pop song and drew on the Pixies' contrast between quiet passages and loud sections. The title grew from a wall message by Kathleen Hanna that referred to a deodorant; Cobain...

Something in the Way appears on Nirvana's Nevermind. This is an album-context identification, not an inferred explanation of personal motivation.

Nirvana brought the Pacific Northwest's underground rock into a much wider audience through Nevermind in 1991. The band's music combined punk intensity with memorable pop melodies, connecting rough guitar sounds to...

A grunge-influenced song about alienation and self-loathing.

Drive appears on R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People. This is an album-context identification, not an inferred explanation of personal motivation.

A alternative rock song about feeling overwhelmed by emotions.

Everybody Hurts appears on R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People. This is an album-context identification, not an inferred explanation of personal motivation.

Find the River appears on R.E.M.'s Automatic for the People. This is an album-context identification, not an inferred explanation of personal motivation.

An unusually upbeat song for The Cure, celebrating the joy of the weekend.