Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me (If You Don't)," a ballad about unrequited love, was a major hit in 1991. But the song's story and refrain came from an even more unfortunate (and violent) real-life love affair. The song was penned by popular Nashville songwriters Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin, and the idea originated with Reid after he read an article about a man who got drunk and shot up his girlfriend's car. While standing trial for the incident, the judge asked the man if he had learned any lessons, and he replied: "I learned, Your Honor, that you can't make a woman love you if she don't." And that was the inspiration behind this song. Were you aware of this rather violent origin story?

Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, no graduation ceremony or going away party was complete without Green Day's 1997 hit "Good Riddance." I know they played it at both my son's and daughter's Grade 8 graduations. Between the title, its upbeat tune, and the repeated "I hope you had the time of your life" lyric, it was the perfect song for bidding farewell to a great couple of months, or years, of your life. In reality, Green Day frontman Billie Joe Armstrong wrote the song as a bitter farewell to his girlfriend, who was leaving him and moving to Ecuador, and he admitted it took less than 10 minutes to write. Listening to this song now, I can totally see this! Was this song played at any graduation or farewell parties you have attended?