Behind the Songs

Cher — “Hell on Wheels”: Disco on Roller Skates, with Rock’s Finest on Board

by

HomeArtistsCher 1979 · Behind the Songs A song about roller-skating fandom, recorded by a rock session crew, filmed before MTV existed. A pair of rollerblades on a staircase — Cher was a roller-skating fanatic, and the song rode the late-1970s craze. Photo: Michael Prewett (via Unsplash), Wikimedia Commons, Source · CC0. Display resized; no retouching. … Read more

Journey — “Still They Ride”: The Quiet Fourth Single from Escape

by

HomeArtistsJourney 1982 · Behind the Songs After three blockbusters, Escape’s last single slowed down and looked back. The Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco — Journey’s hometown, and a landmark for a band that had escaped looking in the rearview mirror. Photo: Chris Leipelt (via Unsplash), Wikimedia Commons, Source · CC0. Display resized; no retouching. … Read more

Journey — “Ask the Lonely”: The Ballad That Escaped a Film

by

HomeArtistsJourney 1983 · Behind the Songs Written for an album, rescued for a movie, and finally claimed by the band’s greatest hits. A reel of analog film — the song found its home on a movie soundtrack before it ever found its album. Photo: Markus Spiske, Wikimedia Commons, Source · CC0. Display resized; no retouching. … Read more

Earth, Wind & Fire — “Runnin’”: The Grammy-Winning Instrumental Nobody Expected

by

HomeArtistsEarth, Wind & Fire 1977 · Behind the Songs A nearly six-minute instrumental on a vocal group’s album — and it won a Grammy. Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Maurice White said a month-long trip to Argentina and Brazil inspired the All ’n All sessions. Photo: Wilfredor, Wikimedia Commons, Source · CC0. Display … Read more

Earth, Wind & Fire — “Getaway”: A Frantic Horn-Driven Opener from Spirit

by

HomeArtistsEarth, Wind & Fire 1976 · Behind the Songs A horn-blast escape plan, recorded while the band was mourning its guiding arranger. A wide-open sky seen from an airplane window, echoing the song’s call to leave it all behind. Photo: Tim Gouw (via Unsplash), Wikimedia Commons, Source · CC0. Display resized; no retouching. On July … Read more