Most songwriters write from the first person as if they’re opening their diaries—confessional, autobiographical, inviting you into their emotional truth. Randy Newman writes from the first person like Flannery O’Connor or Raymond Carver: his “I” is a construct, a character who reveals himself through what he says and, more devastatingly, through what he casually omits.
Warren Zevon never asked to be mythologized—but it happened anyway. Whether behind a piano in Echo Park or subbing in for Paul Shaffer on Late Night with David Letterman, Zevon carried the weight of contradiction like a badge and a burden.
Peter Gabriel is an artist who remains deeply connected to progressive music fans and beyond—his early years with Genesis redefined rock performance, blending charisma with a shamanic stage presence and artistic risk-taking, pushing the boundaries of live music.
On “Rainy Night House” being about Cohen, Mitchell confirmed to Malka Marom: “Yeah. I went one time to his home, and I fell asleep in his old room, and he sat up and watched me sleep. He sat up all night, and he watched me to see who in the world I could be.” Allan Showalter Joni Mitchell
“Love and Affection” is a song by Kittitian-English singer-songwriter Joan Armatrading. Her fourth single and third for A&M Records was her first chart success. It reached number 10 on the UK Singles Chart in November 1976.