19 Songs Inspired by Celebrities
by Tattle Taylor at .Art imitates life, right? Here are 19 songs inspired by celebrities. And not a single mention of Yoko Ono!
1. I Knew You Were Trouble - Taylor Swift
Oh, Taylor Swift! You just can't NOT write songs about exes! "I Knew You Were Trouble" is very publicly about One Direction's Harry Styles.
2. My Favorite Mistake - Sheryl Crow
While she plays coy when asked directly, it's a pretty sure thing that Eric Clapton was Sheryl Crow's "Favorite Mistake."
3. Layla - Eric Clapton
Eric Clapton wrote "Layla" about Pattie Boyd when the model was still married to George Harrison. She later left Harrison and married Clapton.
4. Amber - 311
311's Amber was inspired by Nick Hexum's relationship with former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger.
5. What Katie Did Next - The Babyshambles
Kate Moss and her troubled and chaotic relationship with Babyshambles member Pete Doherty inspired "What Katie Did Next."
6. Dear John - Taylor Swift
While Taylor Swift used coded language in some of her other breakup songs, she straight up called John Mayer out in "Dear John."
7. Suicide Blonde - INXS
INXS' late Michael Hutchence wrote "Suicide Blonde" about then-girlfriend Kylie Minogue after she died her hair platinum.
8. Fix You - Coldplay
The greatest product to come out of Chris Martin and Gwyneth Paltrow's marriage was Coldplay's "Fix You," which Martin wrote for Paltrow when her father died.
9. Seventy Times Seven - Brand New
When John Nolan slept with Brand New singer's girlfriend, Brand New wrote "Seventy Times Seven" wishing for Nolan's death.
10. Starsuckers, Inc. - Nine Inch Nails
After Trent Reznor helped Marilyn Manson produce Antichrist Superstar, Manson and Reznor had a fight, which led to Nine Inch Nails' "Starf*ckers, Inc."
11. The Last Time - Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift's "The Last Time" is allegedly about her relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal and all the ways in which he was so unreliable.
12. There's No I in Team - Taking Back Sunday
Taking Back Sunday responded to Brand New's song about John Nolan with "There's No I in Team," which they flippantly called an apology.
13. Femme Fatale - The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground's "Femme Fatale" was written by Lou Reed about Andy Warhol's muse, Edie Sedgwick.
14. How Do You Sleep? - John Lennon
After a few jabs in his direction from Sir Paul McCartney, John Lennon wrote "How Do You Sleep?" as a rebuttal.
15. Dear Prudence - The Beatles
John Lennon wrote The Beatles' song "Dear Prudence" for Mia Farrow's sister Prudence in 1967 to help her battle depression.
16. But Julian, I'm a Little Older Than You - Courtney Love
Julian Casablancas, from the Strokes, is said to have inspired Courtney Love's lust-fest "But Julian, I'm a Little Older Than You."
17. Violet - Hole
Courtney Love's hatred of Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) inspired Hole's "Violet."
18. Hollaback Girl - Gwen Stefani
"Hollaback Girl" appeared on Gwen Stefani's solo album and is reportedly about a spat with Courtney Love.
19. Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
It's probably safe to say that "Shake It Off" is about ALL of Taylor Swift's exes, the list of which is nearly too numerous to list here.