.

Song Stories

“Hold On”

Wilson Phillips | 1990

This harmonizing trio may have had strong musical genes on their side — two were the daughters of Brian Wilson, the third had John and Michelle Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas as her parents — but their family connections also provided their share of heartbreak. Chynna Phillips, who wrote this song about difficulties she faced growing up, told Rolling Stone she had a lot of anger because her father was never there for her. "But there comes a time in your life when it keeps coming up and you have to face it."

prev
Song Stories Main Next

blog comments powered by Disqus

Song Stories

“Help Me”

Joni Mitchell | 1974

Joni Mitchell wrote and recorded this song for her album Court and Spark, but she had to switch from her regular band to make the song sound exactly the way she wanted. "I had attempted to play my music with rock & roll players," she told Rolling Stone. "They’d laugh, 'Awww, isn't that cute? She's trying to teach us how to play.'" Mitchell switched to a jazz band, Tom Scott’s L.A. Express, and scored the biggest hit of her career in the process.

More Song Stories entries »