• 1. Uptown Girl

    Written by Billy Joel about his then girlfriend/model Elle Macpherson. A couple years after their breakup, he dedicated it to his fiance, Christie Brinkley.

  • 2. Something

    Written by George Harrison about girlfriend Pattie Boyd.

  • 3. Wonderful Tonight

    Written by Eric Clapton about girlfriend Pattie Boyd (after her split with Harrison).

  • 4. Miles Away

    Written by Madonna about Guy Ritchie just months before the two decided to get a divorce.

  • 5. In Your Eyes

    Written by Peter Gabriel about girlfriend Rosanna Arquette (also the subject of the song Rosanna, by Toto).

  • 6. You Oughta Know

    Written by Alanis Morissette about ex-boyfriend Dave Coulier.

  • 7. Killing Me Softly

    Although this song was made famous by Roberta Flack, it was written by folk singer Lori Lieberman about Don McLean.

  • 8. Maybe I'm Amazed

    Written by Paul McCartney about his then wife Linda.

  • 9. Hey Jude

    Although Jude exists solely in this famous song, Paul McCartney was inspired to write it after a car ride with John Lennon's son Julian (nicknamed Jules) who was having a hard time coping with his parents' divorce.

  • 10. Philadelphia Freedom

    Written by Elton John about his friend Billy Jean King, a professional tennis player.

  • 11. Kooks

    Written by David Bowie for his newborn son Duncan. When he got the news of his son's birth, he was apparently listening to Neil Young and credits Young with the musical styling of this song. Bonus: The Kooks named their band after this song.

  • 12. Chelsea Hotel #2

    Written by Leonard Cohen about his brief affair with Janis Joplin.

  • 13. Sweet Child O' Mine

    Written by Guns N' Roses frontman Axl Rose about his then girlfriend Erin Everly.

  • 14. Terry's Song

    Written by Bruce Springsteen about his recently deceased assistant and close friend, Terry Magovern.

  • 15. My My Hey Hey (Into The Black)

    Written by Neil Young about the “death” of Johnny Rotten, the stage name for John Lydon of the Sex Pistols. Bonus: The lyric “It's better to burn out than to fade away” was quoted in Kurt Cobain's suicide note.

  • 16. You Haven't Done Nothin'

    One of two songs written by Stevie Wonder about his disappointment in former president, Richard Nixon.

  • 17. Tramp The Dirt Down

    Written by Elvis Costello about Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

  • 18. Englishman In New York

    Written by Sting about English writer and raconteur, Quentin Crisp.

  • 19. Angie

    Although it is rumored that this song was written about Angie Bowie (wife of David Bowie), it was written by Rolling Stones' member Keith Richards about heroin and his detox in Switzerland after the birth of his daughter, Dandelion Angela.

  • 20. Hurricane

    Written by Bob Dylan about Rubin “The Hurricane” Carter, a professional boxer who was convicted of triple homicide in the late 1960's.

  • 21. Just Like Anyone

    Written by Aimee Mann about the death of her friend and fellow singer/songwriter, Jeff Buckley.