Songs based on actual events or people - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 12-04-2003, 08:08 PM

To name a few....

'Roseanna' by Toto -- Roseanna Arquette was immortalized in this song after her breakup with a band member.

'You're So Vain' -- Mick Jagger, Warren Beatty, James Taylor, it's anyone's guess who Carly Simon was referring to, but she's never denied that it was personal.

'Tears In Heaven' -- Eric Clapton penned this loving tribute to his son, Connor, after his tragic death in 1991.

'The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald' -- Gordon Lightfoot's haunting ballad in honor of the 29 lives claimed by the vessel that went down in 1975.

TJL · 12-04-2003, 08:14 PM

"We Didn't Start The Fire," Bily Joel's ode to fifty years of people, places and current events.

Janice · 12-04-2003, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
"We Didn't Start The Fire," Bily Joel's ode to fifty years of people, places and current events.

Where's my winking smilie? You're making me paranoid, lol.

HuntingtonM15 · 12-04-2003, 08:30 PM

"She's A Butterfly" recorded by Martina McBride this year was written about a girl named Katie Darnell. She had brain cancer and died in June of this year. She wrote a song called "Rescue Me" that Wynonna recorded on her album that was released in August. A story about her can be found here

http://www.wynonna.com/katiedarnell.htm

°Bubbly Blonde° · 12-04-2003, 08:35 PM

Candle in the Wind ~ Elton John

TJL · 12-04-2003, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Janice
Where's my winking smilie? You're making me paranoid, lol.

Oh allright...

DianeChambers87 · 12-04-2003, 09:10 PM

"Silly Love songs" - Wings: Paul Mcartney wrote it as a response to a statement by John Lennon. John was asked what his thoughts were on Paul's band Wings and he said something like "Oh! Just writing a bunch of silly little love songs", Paul upon hearing this remark retaliated with this song.

"No one but you"- Brian May: Written in honor of the death of Freddie Mercury, I still cry every time I hear it.

"The Kiss of Kathleen Turner"- Tav Falco: Although I've never actually heard this song, i've read about it. He wrote it in honor of the actress Kathleen Turner. One of my favorite Actresses, and apparently Falco's as well.

fr00ti · 12-04-2003, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HuntingtonM15
"She's A Butterfly" recorded by Martina McBride this year was written about a girl named Katie Darnell. She had brain cancer and died in June of this year. She wrote a song called "Rescue Me" that Wynonna recorded on her album that was released in August. A story about her can be found here

http://www.wynonna.com/katiedarnell.htm

God I love that song.

fr00ti · 12-04-2003, 10:12 PM

Ummm some I can think of off the top of my head...

"Masterpiece" by Carolyn Dawn Johnson was written about her Aunt, Uncle and Nephew.

"With You In Your Dreams" by Hanson was written about their Grandmother who passed away.

... That's all I can think of.

Kitt · 12-04-2003, 10:20 PM

The NIght They Tore Old Dixie Down -- Robbie Robertson - The Band. Lead singer - Levon Helm.

It's a barely fictional story based on the fall of Richmond in the last days of the Civil War. Virgil Cain, an ex confederate soldier, tells the story through the voice of Levon Helm. George Stoneman, Major General in the Union Army and commander of the East Tennessee District, is a real character dipicted in the song. He commanded Union troops in destruction of the South, in the same way that General Shearman did in the Georgia Campaign.

Janice · 12-04-2003, 10:26 PM

David Gates of the group, Bread, had lost his father in the 70s, and wrote this song for him. I read once that, at concerts, he would dedicate the song to his father before he performed it.

Everything I Own

You sheltered me from harm.
Kept me warm, kept me warm
You gave my life to me
Set me free, Set me free
The finest years I ever knew
were all the years I had with you

I would give anything I own,
Give up me life, my heart, my home.
I would give everything I own,
just to have you back again.

You taught me how to love,
What its of, what its of.
You never said too much,
but still you showed the way,
and I knew from watching you.
Nobody else could ever know
the part of me that can't let go.

I would give anything I own,
Give up me life, my heart, my home.
I would give everything I own
Just to have you back again.

Is there someone you know,
you're loving them so,
but taking them all for granted.
You may lose them one day,
someone takes them away,
and they don't hear the words you long to say.

I would give anything I own,
Give up me life, my heart, my home.
I would give everything I own
Just to have you back again
Just to touch you, once again.

musicradio77 · 12-04-2003, 10:45 PM

Here are the songs based on people and actual events:

1. "We Are the World" - USA for Africa
2. "Voices That Care" - Voices That Care
3. "It's A Small World" - The Disneyland Chorus
4. "What More Can I Gave" - Michael Jackson & Friends
5. "What's Going On" - Marvin Gaye
6. "That's What Friends Are For" - Dionne Warwick & the Gang
7. "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" - The Temptations
8. "Land of Confusion" - Phil Collins
9. "Give Peace a Chance" - John Lennon & the Plastic Ono Band
10. "Mercy Mercy Me" - Marvin Gaye

Rickenbacker · 12-04-2003, 11:04 PM

Continuing the Beatle/Beatle-related route-

How Do You Sleep? is Lennon's well known anti- McCartney song.

Early 1970 rarish Ringo single that makes coy mention of the other 3. Great little song.

Dear Prudence- from the White Album- Mia Farrow's shy younger sister in India.

All Those Years Ago- Harrison. for John

Here Today- Paul. ditto

Hey Jude who *doesn't* know the story behind this one??

so many others...

Vincent & American Pie
Don McLean- 'Vincent' based on Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh & 'American Pie' based on practically every rock event from the late 50s to the late 60s.

Woodstock- CSN

Ohio Neil Young- the 1970 shootings at Kent State University.

Fire & Rain James Taylor- story about his girlfriend who died in a plane crash.

Brian · 12-04-2003, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TJL
"We Didn't Start The Fire," Bily Joel's ode to fifty years of people, places and current events.

It's an ode to the events that had taken place during the Cold War. I found a web site months ago that explained everything he said in detail. http://uploader.wuerzburg.de/gym-fkg.../songtext.html

Janice · 12-04-2003, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rickenbacker
Don McLean- 'American Pie' based on practically every rock event from the late 50s to the late 60s.

Yep, with the emphasis on Buddy Holly's demise.

12-04-2003, 08:08 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Songs based on actual events or people To name a few.... 'Roseanna' by Toto -- Roseanna Arquette was immortalized in this song after her breakup with a band member. 'You're So Vain' -- Mick Jagger, Warren Beatty, James Taylor, it's anyone's guess who Carly Simon was referring to, but she's never denied that it was personal. 'Tears In Heaven' -- Eric Clapton penned this loving tribute to his son, Connor, after his tragic death in 1991. 'The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald' -- Gordon Lightfoot's haunting ballad in honor of the 29 lives claimed by the vessel that went down in 1975.

12-04-2003, 08:14 PM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	"We Didn't Start The Fire," Bily Joel's ode to fifty years of people, places and current events.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

12-04-2003, 08:35 PM	#5
°Bubbly Blonde° <3 Forum Veteran Join Date: Nov 25, 2001 Location: Playboy Mansion Posts: 5,876	Candle in the Wind ~ Elton John
	__________________ ¤ Courtney ¤ -random quotes- Fashion is Architecture: it is a matter of proportions - Coco Chanel We are all born sexual creatures, thank God, but it's a pity so many people despise and crush this natural gift. - Marilyn Monroe I love sluts; they're the nicest people in the world. -Manolo I love Los Angeles. I love Hollywood. They're beautiful. Everybody's plastic, but I love plastic. I want to be plastic. - Andy Warhol

12-04-2003, 09:10 PM	#7
DianeChambers87 Elizabeth B. Malone Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 16, 2003 Location: Swampland USA Posts: 5,178	"Silly Love songs" - Wings: Paul Mcartney wrote it as a response to a statement by John Lennon. John was asked what his thoughts were on Paul's band Wings and he said something like "Oh! Just writing a bunch of silly little love songs", Paul upon hearing this remark retaliated with this song. "No one but you"- Brian May: Written in honor of the death of Freddie Mercury, I still cry every time I hear it. "The Kiss of Kathleen Turner"- Tav Falco: Although I've never actually heard this song, i've read about it. He wrote it in honor of the actress Kathleen Turner. One of my favorite Actresses, and apparently Falco's as well.
	__________________ Strange Fascinations, Fascinating me

12-04-2003, 10:45 PM	#12
musicradio77 Disney Expert Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 14, 2003 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 6,475	Here are the songs based on people and actual events: 1. "We Are the World" - USA for Africa 2. "Voices That Care" - Voices That Care 3. "It's A Small World" - The Disneyland Chorus 4. "What More Can I Gave" - Michael Jackson & Friends 5. "What's Going On" - Marvin Gaye 6. "That's What Friends Are For" - Dionne Warwick & the Gang 7. "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World Is Today)" - The Temptations 8. "Land of Confusion" - Phil Collins 9. "Give Peace a Chance" - John Lennon & the Plastic Ono Band 10. "Mercy Mercy Me" - Marvin Gaye
	__________________ Musicradio77 Productions

12-04-2003, 08:30 PM	#4
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	"She's A Butterfly" recorded by Martina McBride this year was written about a girl named Katie Darnell. She had brain cancer and died in June of this year. She wrote a song called "Rescue Me" that Wynonna recorded on her album that was released in August. A story about her can be found here http://www.wynonna.com/katiedarnell.htm

12-04-2003, 10:12 PM	#9
fr00ti Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 16, 2002 Posts: 12,846	Ummm some I can think of off the top of my head... "Masterpiece" by Carolyn Dawn Johnson was written about her Aunt, Uncle and Nephew. "With You In Your Dreams" by Hanson was written about their Grandmother who passed away. ... That's all I can think of.

12-04-2003, 10:20 PM	#10
Kitt James Dean Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,115	The NIght They Tore Old Dixie Down -- Robbie Robertson - The Band. Lead singer - Levon Helm. It's a barely fictional story based on the fall of Richmond in the last days of the Civil War. Virgil Cain, an ex confederate soldier, tells the story through the voice of Levon Helm. George Stoneman, Major General in the Union Army and commander of the East Tennessee District, is a real character dipicted in the song. He commanded Union troops in destruction of the South, in the same way that General Shearman did in the Georgia Campaign.

12-04-2003, 10:26 PM	#11
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	David Gates of the group, Bread, had lost his father in the 70s, and wrote this song for him. I read once that, at concerts, he would dedicate the song to his father before he performed it. Everything I Own You sheltered me from harm. Kept me warm, kept me warm You gave my life to me Set me free, Set me free The finest years I ever knew were all the years I had with you I would give anything I own, Give up me life, my heart, my home. I would give everything I own, just to have you back again. You taught me how to love, What its of, what its of. You never said too much, but still you showed the way, and I knew from watching you. Nobody else could ever know the part of me that can't let go. I would give anything I own, Give up me life, my heart, my home. I would give everything I own Just to have you back again. Is there someone you know, you're loving them so, but taking them all for granted. You may lose them one day, someone takes them away, and they don't hear the words you long to say. I would give anything I own, Give up me life, my heart, my home. I would give everything I own Just to have you back again Just to touch you, once again.

12-04-2003, 11:04 PM	#13
Rickenbacker Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 15, 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 507	Continuing the Beatle/Beatle-related route- How Do You Sleep? is Lennon's well known anti- McCartney song. Early 1970 rarish Ringo single that makes coy mention of the other 3. Great little song. Dear Prudence- from the White Album- Mia Farrow's shy younger sister in India. All Those Years Ago- Harrison. for John Here Today- Paul. ditto Hey Jude who doesn't know the story behind this one?? so many others... Vincent & American Pie Don McLean- 'Vincent' based on Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh & 'American Pie' based on practically every rock event from the late 50s to the late 60s. Woodstock- CSN Ohio Neil Young- the 1970 shootings at Kent State University. Fire & Rain James Taylor- story about his girlfriend who died in a plane crash.