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Song Stories

“King of Anything”

Sara Bareilles | 2010

Sara Bareilles found the silver lining in an otherwise dark cloud, which inspired her to pen this song. Angered by all the people who were trying to steer her personal and professional career, the singer-songwriter turned her frustration into a Top 10 hit. "I've had more unsolicited advice on my life than I care to mention, and this was how I dealt with it," she shared. "It felt empowering to turn that frustration into music, especially a song that doesn't even sound angry." The song earned her a Grammy nomination, as well, for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

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“Chain Gang”
Sam Cooke | 1960
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“Truly Madly Deeply”
Savage Garden | 1998

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Song Stories

“Tonight's the Night”

The Shirelles | 1960

The lead cut and title track from this girl group's debut album, "Tonight's the Night" was written by 19-year-old bandmember Shirley Owens, who sings lead, and producer Luther Dixon. The band from Passaic, New Jersey met in high school, first calling themselves the Pequellos. The song's frank thoughts about sexual and emotional surrender was racy for the time, but that didn't stop the Chiffons from cutting a similar version immediately after the original came out. "We were the first female group to write some of our own material," band member Beverly Lee recalls. "We did have some say-so in our writing."

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