Songs of true stories that happened to the songwriter(s)

[Vexed]

Many songwriters are inspired to write from events that happened to them or their band members. What are some that you know?

"Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple -- written about the fire at the Montreux Switzerland, Frank Zappa concert, that Deep Purple's members were in the audience and they got safely out to a nearby restaurant and watched the smoke gather across Lake Geneva.

[Vexed]

There were a lot of relationship songs on the Fleetwood Mac '77 Rumors album.

"Go Your Own Way" - written by Lindsey Buckingham - about breaking up with Stevie Nicks.

"Dreams" - written by Stevie Nicks - about breaking up with Lindsey Buckingham.

"Don't Stop" - written by Christine McVie - about looking ahead to life without John McVie.

"You Make Loving Fun" - written by Christine McVie - about her new romance.

"The Chain" - written by them all - Stevie Nicks - Lindsey Buckingham - Christine McVie - John McVie - Mick Fleetwood - about the group's ode to ending of relationships.

[BeatleloverKT]

Two of us, Beatles

Although many believe it’s about John&Paul,

it’s actually about Paul&Linda. They used to

take long rides together and she would

encourage him to get lost on purpose. On

one such trip, she got out to explore and

he sat in the car and wrote this song. Or

so the story goes 🎼💜

[MaVolta]

Signs - Five Man Electrical Band 

While traveling on California’s Route 66, singer Les Emmerson noticed so many billboards “blocking out the scenery” leading him to question the authority of who makes such rules anyway. Then he had a few other things to go on about! 😎✌️

[EricC28201]

Hey Jude - The Beatles

Written by Paul McCartney for Julian Lennon after John left him and his mother to be with Yoko Ono.

[Vexed]

"Monterey" - Eric Burdon & the Animals -- about their experiences at the '67 Monterey Pop Festival.

(Well maybe not all the experiences.) 😎

[Raynyky]

Same Old Lang Syne-Dan Fogelberg

[BeatleloverKT]

The Ballad of John and Yoko, Fab 4️⃣

It describes the events of their

wedding and their highly publicized 

“Bed In” on their Honeymoon

[MaVolta]

Garden Party - Rick Nelson

Written about his experience performing at Madison Square Garden 1971 rock n roll concert.

[BobH07]

Sara Smile:  Hall & Oates about Daryl's girlfriend Sara Allen

[BobH07]

Leader Of The Band:  Dan Fogelberg about his father

[BobH07]

Tears In Heaven:  Eric Clapton on the death of his son

[EricC28201]

Ridin' The Storm Out - REO Speedwagon

The band was travelling between shows in Colorado.  They drove into a snow storm, decided to prank their manager by getting lost on purpose and ended up getting really lost.