The Characters Behind 12 Famous Songs

by Dictionary Scoop    There’s a mixture of fiction and real life behind the people made famous by the hit songs on our list today.  From classic rock ballads to catchy pop tunes, here are 12 famous songs that feature people’s names—and the stories behind them. 1-Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry    We’ll start …

Dave Barry Saves Sanity of Kansas Man

by Kevin Burton    When there is a Dave Barry book on your front porch, you’re having a good day.    Every writerly thing in me, now wants to write, “nothing else matters.”  But we both know that isn’t entirely true. Nothing else?    Tell you what though Sugarbear, nothing else matters for the next …

The Apostle Paul Says “Dress For Success”

by Kevin Burton    Some of us, as high school seniors, went to classes called “College Prep.,” and what an honor that was. Somebody thought we were “college material.”     One of my teachers, can’t remember which one, clued me in on what might be coming just around the corner by getting creative with my …

Did Gilbert O’Sullivan Launch Disco Era?

by Kevin Burton    There have been many theories to explain the rise and fall of disco music. Here’s a new one for its rise:    Disco music exploded in the mid-70s as a direct result of “Alone Again Naturally” by Irish singer-songwriter Gilbert O’Sullivan.    OK, so I can’t prove I’m right, but you …

Sign Me Up, Forever In Blue Jeans

by Kevin Burton    We talk Neil Diamond for the second time this week today, but first, a short digression back to my college days.    My college friend Matt once commented that “the only things Kevin Burton and I agree on are Billy Joel and freedom of the press.”    We favored both, for the …

Brother Neil’s Travelling Controversy

by Kevin Burton    Hard feelings and Neil Diamond songs usually don’t go together as far as I know. But we have two examples of such today.    Diamond is the latest artist to be featured in our 2022 look at songs that peaked at number 22 on the American chart.     The songs “Brother …