You'll Never Guess The Inspiration Behind These Greatest 70's & 80's Tracks

We’ve all wondered about the inspiration behind some of our favorite songs. From long lost loves to meaningful heartbreaks, here’s a look at the behind-the-scenes stories behind your best songs.

Je T’aime… Moi Non Plus by Serge Gainsbourg 1969

The most famous rendition of Moi Non Plus was recorded by Serge Gainsbourg and Jane Birkin. The track was written for Gainsbourg’s girlfriend, the magnificent classic beauty Bridget Bardot. The track was so overtly sexual that it was subsequently banned in a number of countries. Gainsbourg went on to direct an erotic film inspired by the song released under the same name.

Higher and Higher by The Moody Blues 1969

The Apollo launch inspired many tracks of the time, one of which being Higher and Higher by The Moody Blues. The song begins with an audio clip of a rocket launching into space. The band was originally supposed to use actual audio of the launch they received from NASA but the sound was of such poor quality they recorded something in studio especially for the track.

Chelsea Hotel No.2 by Leonard Cohen 1974

Leonard Cohen wrote this heartfelt song after a short-lived yet intense romance with rocker Janis Joplin. The two had shared a passionate fling that was ignited after a weekend at the Chelsea Hotel. Despite brazenly suggesting the song was indeed about Joplin, Cohen said he regretted sharing the fact with the world and would later release a public apology.

Philadelphia Freedom by Elton John 1975

Elton John, along with the fellow songwriter Bernie Taupin, penned the track as an ode to his long-time friend Billie Jean King. King was the world’s number one female tennis player at the time. The song was titled after her tennis team, the Philadelphia Freedoms. John had been greatly moved and inspired by King’s philanthropic work advocating for the equal rights movement.