9 hit songs you didn’t know were written about famous people
Sometimes, great songs come directly from an artist’s imagination, giving us a great ditty without carrying much in the way of a hidden meaning. Occasionally, however, the biggest hits are not only about real events or people – they’re about people we already know and love.
1. “All of Me”– John Legend
This gorgeous love song was written for and dedicated to John Legend’s wife, Chrissy Teigen.
2. “Paper Doll” – John Mayer
This light-as-a-feather ditty from Mayer is strongly suspected of being about his ex, Taylor Swift. The song is understood to have been written in response to Swift’s song about Mayer, ‘Dear John’.
3. “Cry Me A River” – Justin Timberlake
One of Timberlake’s first solo hits is supposedly about his ex, Britney Spears. The video for the song even featured a model who looked strikingly similar to Spears. Timberlake’s ‘What Goes Around Comes Around’ from a few years later is also suspected of being about Britney.
4. “In Your Eyes” – Peter Gabriel
This popular tune from Peter Gabriel was reportedly inspired by Rosanna Arquette, who was living with Gabriel when he wrote it.
5. “Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift
This revenge song from one of pop’s most talented lyricists is about the singer’s feud with fellow pop singer, Katy Perry. The two stars were once on friendly terms, but fell out when Perry reportedly hired all of Swift’s long-time backup dancers away from her. The two have been trading veiled musical jabs at each other since.
6. “Fix You” – Coldplay
This heartbreaking song about supporting the ones you love was reportedly written for lead singer Chris Martin’s then-wife, Gwyneth Paltrow, whose father had recently died.
7. “Sex on Fire” – Kings of Leon
This pop-rock anthem was apparently inspired by the band’s lead singer, Caleb Followill’s wife, Lily Aldridge. Aldridge is known for being a Victoria’s Secret Angel.
8. “Hey Jude” – The Beatles
Paul McCartney wrote this song in hopes that it would comfort John Lennon’s son, Julian, during Lennon’s divorce from his wife, Cynthia. The song was originally titled ‘Hey Jules’, but this was changed before the song was recorded.
9. “You’re So Vain” – Carly Simon
It’s one of the greatest musical mysteries of all time – just who is this song about. Simon herself has acknowledged that it is about a real person, even going so far as to say that the subject is a composite of three men from her life in Los Angeles. Warren Beatty reportedly believed the song was about him, while others have speculated that it is about David Bowie or Cat Stevens, among others.
Which of these songs’ origins surprises you the most? Tell us in the comments!