Paid Post

10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Famous Songs

Regardless of whether you're a writer for Pitchfork or a casual listener of smooth jazz, prepare to have your mind blown. (And if you do already know all these facts, then maybe it's time to take up a new hobby. Jeez.) - Brought to you by the Kia Soul

Kia
by Kia

Brand Publisher

1. "Cotton Eye Joe"

Via ehow.com

Though Swedish pop group Rednex first made it big with "Cotton Eye Joe," perhaps what they should best be known for is holding the record for the longest song title in the world: "The Sad But True Story of Ray Mingus, the Lumberjack of Bulk Rock City, and His Never Slacking Stribe in Exploiting the So Far Undiscovered Areas of the Intention to Bodily Intercourse from the Opposite Species of His Kind, During Intake of All the Mental Condition That Could Be Derived from Fermentation."

2. "Inner Groove"

Marcelo Romeo / CC BY http://2.0 / Flickr: tanozzo / Via houstonseagle.com

In the Beatles' classic (well, they basically all are, but...) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, the final track on the album, "Inner Groove," contains a high-pitched tone that only dogs can hear.

3. "Sweet Caroline"

View this video on YouTube
youtube.com / Via examiner.com

Neil Diamond was so in awe of Caroline Kennedy that he wrote a song about her—"Sweet Caroline"—and he did it in less than one hour.

4. "New York, New York"

MPI / Getty Images / Via mentalfloss.com

Frank Sinatra's signature "New York, New York" was originally penned for Martin Scorcese's film of the same name.

5. "TiK-ToK"

NBC / Getty Images

Ke$ha's "TiK-ToK" has sold more copies than any of the Beatles' singles.

6. "Like a Virgin"

Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Was written for a MALE singer

7. "What a Wonderful World"

Express / Express / Via musicradar.com

In 1968, Louis Armstrong set the record for the oldest artist to ever top the UK singles chart with "What a Wonderful World," two months short of his 67th birthday.

8. "Good Morning, Good Morning"

musicfanatic29 / CC BY http://2.0 / Flickr: 25572801@N00 / Via skyminds.net

A corn flakes commercial inspired John Lennon to write "Good Morning, Good Morning."

9. "Blue Monday"

choo chin nian / CC BY-SA http://2.0 / Flickr: chinnian / Via musicradar.com

New Order's "Blue Monday" was a massive hit when it was first released as a single in 1983, but, due to the expensive packaging and artwork, the group lost money with each copy sold. Pretty unfortunate, given that it went on to become the best-selling 12-inch single of all time.

10. "How to Disappear Completely"

Michael Loccisano / Getty Images

While recording Kid A, Thom Yorke was concerned about Radiohead doing another tour.

He talked to his good friend, REM’s Michael Stipe, who told him he dealt with the pressures of touring by telling himself, “I’m not here, this isn’t happening...,” which inspired the song, “How to Disappear Completely.”