This article was originally published on www.mentalfloss.com as 12 Famous Songs That Sampled Unexpected Sources.

The 1980s are a rich text of classic songs that topped the Billboard charts and shaped culture along the way. Stacker ranked the top 25 hits of the '80s based on their overall popularity.

These iconic rock songs stalled out at No. 2 on the charts, thwarted by these slightly more successful songs that nabbed the ...

Get ready for a musical time warp! We’re celebrating songs turning 40 in 2025—tracks released in 1985 that continue to make waves today. From epic pop ballads to iconic rock anthems, these songs have ...

The 1970s were a tumultuous time, full of upheaval on many fronts, from the end of the Vietnam War to the dawn of personal computers. It makes sense that its music had a similar helter-skelter feel.

Depending on the moment, Rich Robinson’s slide guitar playing can be scorching, singing or transcendental. It’s on Black ...

If you've ever felt deeply moved or deeply seen by a song's lyrics, you can thank a songwriter. That's especially true in country music, where the words seem to pull on your heartstrings a little ...

Bobbie Gentry’s “Ode to Billy Joe” inspired a drama of the same name in 1976. The screenplay followed the basic facts in the song’s narrative, which details the events of a Mississippi man who ...

Every Halloween needs a soundtrack. From eerie movie themes to catchy monster jams, the right songs can turn an ordinary night into something spooky, fun and unforgettable. Whether you’re dancing in a ...