Anatomy of a Song: The Oral History of 45 Iconic Hits That Changed Rock, R&B and Pop

Based on the popular Wall Street Journal column, Anatomy of a Song captures the stories behind 45 influential rock, R&B, and pop hits through oral-history interviews with the artists who wrote and recorded themincluding Keith Richards on "Street Fighting Man," Rod Stewart on "Maggie May," and more Writer and music historian Marc Myers brings to life five decades of music in Anatomy of a Song, based on the popular ongoing Wall Street Journal column, through oral histories of forty-five transformative songs woven from interviews with the artists who created them. Taking readers inside the making of a hit, Anatomy of a Song includes Led Zeppelins Whole Lotta Love, Janis Joplins Mercedes Benz, Rod Stewarts Maggie May, and Cyndi Laupers Time After Time. Joni Mitchell remembers living in a cave on Crete with the mean old daddy who inspired her 1971 hit Carey, while Elvis Costello talks about writing (The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes on a train to Liverpool. Keith Richards, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, Smokey Robinson, Grace Slick, Mavis Staples, Steven Tyler, the Clash, Merle Haggard, Bonnie Raitt, Debbie Harry, and many other leading artists reveal the inspirations, struggles, and techniques behind their influential works. Covering the history of rock, R&B, country, disco, soul, reggae and pop, Anatomy of a Song is a love letter to the songs that have defined several generations of listeners.