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I still remember the Gym Class Heroes, “Cupid's Chokehold” in particular, turned up to the max volume on my mp3 back in the day. Some songs get stuck with us, but it’s incredible how little we truly know about them.

You see, it turns out the “Ba ba da da, ba ba da da, ba ba da da, Take a look at my girlfriend” song is not about just any girl. I mean, the woman whom it’s about is now a celebrity worth US$125 million with 13 Grammys and 5 MTV music video awards, among a sea of others.

You’re not the only one who had no clue that some of our all-time fave pop songs were really written for or about other celebrities. Let’s take a look at the illuminating list down below which reveals that some music pieces have whole stories behind them.

(h/t Buzzfeed)

#1

Phil Collins's Song "You’ll Be In My Heart," Which He Wrote For The Movie Tarzan, Was Actually Meant For His Daughter Lily Collins And He Referred To Her Throughout The Track

Phil Collins's Song "You’ll Be In My Heart," Which He Wrote For The Movie Tarzan, Was Actually Meant For His Daughter Lily Collins And He Referred To Her Throughout The Track

lilyjcollins Report

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Bowtechie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was today years old when I learned Lilly Collins is related to Phil Collins

CatWoman312
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4 years ago

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Never knew Lily Collins was Phil Collins daughter. Ahh nepotism at its finest

Kristin Ingersoll
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As with many families, people end up in the same business. My father was a professor. My brother and I are both in education. Nepotism? Or the "family business." I'll agree. She probably did the voice in Tarzan because her dad did the soundtrack. She wasn't a major character. And she has an impressive resume. The fact that none of us knew she was Phil Collins' daughter speaks to the fact that it WASN'T nepotism. She's good. All on her own.

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#2

Singer John Legend Wrote And Dedicated The Track "All Of Me" To Wife Chrissy Teigen

Singer John Legend Wrote And Dedicated The Track "All Of Me" To Wife Chrissy Teigen

chrissyteigen Report

#3

It Turns Out, Lily Allen's "F**k You" Was Written About The Former Us President George W. Bush

It Turns Out, Lily Allen's "F**k You" Was Written About The Former Us President George W. Bush

georgewbush , lilyallen Report

It’s no secret that the music industry is full of the most legendary power couples ever. I mean, how wouldn’t it be, when love has been an endless source of inspiration since the dawn of art?

But it turns out, some of the singing lovebirds started their romance in the studio while recording. For example, the world-famous “Crazy In Love” Jay Z and Beyoncé fell for each other while collaborating on the 2002 track “Bonnie and Clyde.”

Meanwhile, J.Lo and Diddy met in the studio while working for Lopez' album “On the 6.” They proceeded to date for two years until calling it quits due to Diddy’s arrest in connection with a shooting.

#4

Coldplay's Lead Singer Chris Martin Wrote "Fix You" For His Wife At The Time, Gwyneth Paltrow, After Her Father Died

Coldplay's Lead Singer Chris Martin Wrote "Fix You" For His Wife At The Time, Gwyneth Paltrow, After Her Father Died

Evan Agostini Report

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#5

Christina Aguilera Wrote "Can't Hold Us Down" As A Response To Eminem's Negative Comments About Her

Christina Aguilera Wrote "Can't Hold Us Down" As A Response To Eminem's Negative Comments About Her

xtina , eminem Report

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Miss Cris
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finally one that hasn't been written for a boyfriend/girlfriend! :)

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#6

Pink And The Indigo Girls Wrote A Song Called "Dear Mr. President" Which Was A Message To George W. Bush While He Was In Office. The Song Criticised His Position On Homelessness, Lgbtq Rights, And The Iraq War

Pink And The Indigo Girls Wrote A Song Called "Dear Mr. President" Which Was A Message To George W. Bush While He Was In Office. The Song Criticised His Position On Homelessness, Lgbtq Rights, And The Iraq War

pink , georgewbush Report

While Ariana Grande was working on her debut album “Victorious,” Mac Miller offered to sing a duet with her. Their piece “The Way” ended up debuting at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Another teen favorite singer Selena Gomez is also said to have had a romance with her former producer Zedd while collaborating on the 2015 song "I Want You to Know." This line “I want you to know that I'm all yours" in particular sparked romance rumors that the singer later confirmed were, in fact, true.

#7

Katy Perry Said That Her Single "I Kissed A Girl" Was Inspired By Scarlett Johansson

Katy Perry Said That Her Single "I Kissed A Girl" Was Inspired By Scarlett Johansson

scarlett.johensson , JCS Report

#8

Bon Iver's Song "Perth" Was A Tribute To Heath Ledger After He Died In 2008. Heath, Who Was Born In Perth, Australia, Was The Best Friend Of Lead Singer Justin Vernon

Bon Iver's Song "Perth" Was A Tribute To Heath Ledger After He Died In 2008. Heath, Who Was Born In Perth, Australia, Was The Best Friend Of Lead Singer Justin Vernon

Howie Berlin Report

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#9

Justin Timberlake Wrote "Cry Me A River" After Breaking Up With Britney Spears

Justin Timberlake Wrote "Cry Me A River" After Breaking Up With Britney Spears

Denise Truscello Report

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miten sasmita
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahh if only she ended up with him... She'd be much happier. They looked genuinely in love together that time.

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#10

"Something" By The Beatles, "Layla" By Derek And The Dominoes, And "Wonderful Tonight" By Eric Clapton Were Written About Model Pattie Boyd

"Something" By The Beatles, "Layla" By Derek And The Dominoes, And "Wonderful Tonight" By Eric Clapton Were Written About Model Pattie Boyd

Nationaal Archief, Den Haag, Rijksfotoarchief: Fotocollectie Algemeen Nederlands Fotopersbureau , bbc Report

#11

Not Many Know That Nirvana's Legendary Song "Heart-Shaped Box" Is About Courtney Love And... Her Vagina

Not Many Know That Nirvana's Legendary Song "Heart-Shaped Box" Is About Courtney Love And... Her Vagina

courtneylove Report

#12

While Katy Perry Was Dating The Lead Singer From Gym Class Heroes Named Travie Mccoy, He Wrote Her The Famous "Cupid’s Chokehold"

While Katy Perry Was Dating The Lead Singer From Gym Class Heroes Named Travie Mccoy, He Wrote Her The Famous "Cupid’s Chokehold"

Fueled By Ramen Report

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Ellen
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her old song "Circle the drain" is also about him, & how his addiction tore their relationship apart.

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#13

"Ms. Jackson" By Outkast Was An Apology To Erykah Badu And Her Mother After Badu And Andre 3000 Broke Up

"Ms. Jackson" By Outkast Was An Apology To Erykah Badu And Her Mother After Badu And Andre 3000 Broke Up

erykahbadu Report

#14

A Verse In Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" Is About Warren Beatty

A Verse In Carly Simon's "You're So Vain" Is About Warren Beatty

warrenbeatty Report

#15

After Jay-Z And Alicia Keys Released "Empire State Of Mind," Katy Perry Wrote "California Gurls" Because She Wanted There To Be A Song To Represent California

After Jay-Z And Alicia Keys Released "Empire State Of Mind," Katy Perry Wrote "California Gurls" Because She Wanted There To Be A Song To Represent California

aliciakeys Report

#16

"Colors" By Halsey Was About Her Ex-Boyfriend Matty Healy, The Lead Singer Of The 1975

"Colors" By Halsey Was About Her Ex-Boyfriend Matty Healy, The Lead Singer Of The 1975

the1975 , iamhalsey Report

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Linda May
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Colors by Halsey is a wonderful song. But it's going to escalate *really* quickly from wow to wut when you watch the music video 😂 Still, she is amazing person.

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#17

Fans Believe That Taylor Swift Wrote "I Knew You Were Trouble" With Her Ex-Boyfriend Harry Styles In Mind

Fans Believe That Taylor Swift Wrote "I Knew You Were Trouble" With Her Ex-Boyfriend Harry Styles In Mind

taylorswift , harrystyles Report

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#18

Ed Sheeran Wrote "Don't" After Ellie Goulding Cheated On Him With Niall From One Direction

Ed Sheeran Wrote "Don't" After Ellie Goulding Cheated On Him With Niall From One Direction

elliegoulding Report

#19

After Miley Cyrus Got Engaged To Liam Hemsworth, Her Ex Nick Jonas Wrote Her A Song Called "Wedding Bells"

After Miley Cyrus Got Engaged To Liam Hemsworth, Her Ex Nick Jonas Wrote Her A Song Called "Wedding Bells"

mileycyrus Report

#20

"Madness" By Muse Is About Matt Bellamy's (The Lead Singer) Relationship With Kate Hudson. It Was Inspired By A Fight They Had

"Madness" By Muse Is About Matt Bellamy's (The Lead Singer) Relationship With Kate Hudson. It Was Inspired By A Fight They Had

Kevin Mazur Report

#21

The Weeknd Was Going Through A Painful Breakup With Selena Gomez When He Wrote "Call Out My Name"

The Weeknd Was Going Through A Painful Breakup With Selena Gomez When He Wrote "Call Out My Name"

theweeknd , selenagomez Report

#22

"Killing Me Softly" By Norman Gimbel Was Inspired By A Young Singer Named Lori Lieberman Who Had Seen Don Mclean Perform And Told Gimbel That It Was An Intensely Moving Experience. So In Essence, It's About Don Mclean

"Killing Me Softly" By Norman Gimbel Was Inspired By A Young Singer Named Lori Lieberman Who Had Seen Don Mclean Perform And Told Gimbel That It Was An Intensely Moving Experience. So In Essence, It's About Don Mclean

Egghead06 Report

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JessG
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"A long long time ago, I can still remember, how that music used to make me smil..."

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#23

Justin Bieber Wrote "What Do You Mean" About His On-Again Off-Again Relationship With Selena Gomez

Justin Bieber Wrote "What Do You Mean" About His On-Again Off-Again Relationship With Selena Gomez

justinbieber , selenagomez Report

#24

While We Can All Agree That Hollaback Girl Is A Total Tune, It's Safe To Say That Its Origins Are Well And Truly Rooted In Famous Feuding. Dissing Gwen In An Interview With Seventeen Magazine, Courtney Said: "Being Famous Is Just Like Being In High School. But I'm Not Interested In Being The Cheerleader. I'm Not Interested In Being Gwen Stefani. She's The Cheerleader, And I'm Out In The Smoker Shed."

While We Can All Agree That Hollaback Girl Is A Total Tune, It's Safe To Say That Its Origins Are Well And Truly Rooted In Famous Feuding. Dissing Gwen In An Interview With Seventeen Magazine, Courtney Said: "Being Famous Is Just Like Being In High School. But I'm Not Interested In Being The Cheerleader. I'm Not Interested In Being Gwen Stefani. She's The Cheerleader, And I'm Out In The Smoker Shed."

gwenstefani , courtneylove Report

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Eraldo Ferreira
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why Do You Have To Write All Of Your Titles With Every Damn First Letter Of Every F*****g Word On Capslock?

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#25

Lily Aldridge, The Victoria's Secret Angel Who Is Married To Kings Of Leon Lead Singer, Caleb Followill, Is Said To Have Inspired The Band's Track Sex On Fire

Lily Aldridge, The Victoria's Secret Angel Who Is Married To Kings Of Leon Lead Singer, Caleb Followill, Is Said To Have Inspired The Band's Track Sex On Fire

Raph_PH , lilyaldridge Report

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#26

"Dear John" By Taylor Swift Is About Her Ex, John Mayer. Mayer's Song "Paper Doll" Was Allegedly His Rebuttal

"Dear John" By Taylor Swift Is About Her Ex, John Mayer. Mayer's Song "Paper Doll" Was Allegedly His Rebuttal

johnmayer , taylorswift Report

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Janine B.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will never understand how this not really attractive guy seems charme so many women.

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#27

Florence Welch From Florence + The Machine Wrote A Song "Patricia" For The Singer Patti Smith

Florence Welch From Florence + The Machine Wrote A Song "Patricia" For The Singer Patti Smith

Beni Köhler Report

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Saico Hipe
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love Florence so much! She actually got to randomly meet Smith on day in a restaurant, and says she was super nice and down to earth.

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#28

"Cinderella" By Mac Miller, A Song That Has Lyrics About Very Intimate Bedroom Moments, Is About Ariana Grande

"Cinderella" By Mac Miller, A Song That Has Lyrics About Very Intimate Bedroom Moments, Is About Ariana Grande

Mac Miller Report

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Jessica Friend
Community Member
4 years ago (edited)

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she's freaking Italian dummy, my husband is part italian and a blond dark dude all freaking year long so are our kids hell I'm part Native American (grandmother is full blood) and they out dark me

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#29

And "You're Never Over" By Eminem Was A Tribute To His Friend, The Rapper Proof. Proof Was Shot And Killed In 2006

And "You're Never Over" By Eminem Was A Tribute To His Friend, The Rapper Proof. Proof Was Shot And Killed In 2006

eminem Report

#30

"Circle The Drain" By Katy Perry Was About Travie Mccoy's Drug Addiction

"Circle The Drain" By Katy Perry Was About Travie Mccoy's Drug Addiction

Francois Durand Report

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#31

"My Way" By Calvin Harris Was About His Ex-Girlfriend, Taylor Swift, And The Struggles Of Their Relationship

"My Way" By Calvin Harris Was About His Ex-Girlfriend, Taylor Swift, And The Struggles Of Their Relationship

calvinharris , taylorswift Report

#32

"All Too Well" By Taylor Swift Was About Her Ex-Boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal

"All Too Well" By Taylor Swift Was About Her Ex-Boyfriend Jake Gyllenhaal

taylorswift , Jake Gyllenhaal Report

#33

"Edie (Ciao Baby)" By The Cult And "Just Like A Woman" By Bob Dylan Were Said To Have Been About Actress And Model Edie Sedgwick, Who Died In 1971

"Edie (Ciao Baby)" By The Cult And "Just Like A Woman" By Bob Dylan Were Said To Have Been About Actress And Model Edie Sedgwick, Who Died In 1971

wikipedia Report

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Marcellus the Third
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You mean Edie S., hanging around at Warhol's Factory? This is the single worst-written entry in this list. Open Wikipedia and you find she's in a dozen songs (starting with the Velvets' "Femme Fatale" obviously) plus a handful of films (The Doors, anyone?).

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#34

7 Things The Miley Cyrus Track Is Purportedly About Nick Jonas And The Pair's Frustrating Relationship. Cyrus's Album Bangerz Is Also Said To Be Inspired By Her Break-Up With Fiancé Liam Hemsworth. Liner Notes Included With The Album Read: "I Couldn't Have Made This Album Without One Person . . . Fe, Thank You For Inspiring Me. (Ps I Love You)." It's Assumed Fe Stands For Ex-Fiancé

7 Things The Miley Cyrus Track Is Purportedly About Nick Jonas And The Pair's Frustrating Relationship. Cyrus's Album Bangerz Is Also Said To Be Inspired By Her Break-Up With Fiancé Liam Hemsworth. Liner Notes Included With The Album Read: "I Couldn't Have Made This Album Without One Person . . . Fe, Thank You For Inspiring Me. (Ps I Love You)." It's Assumed Fe Stands For Ex-Fiancé

mileycyrus , nickjonas Report

#35

Swish Swish Rumours Have Surfaced That Katy Perry’s Track Swish Swish Was Released In Response To Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood. With The Singer Revealing To James Corden During The Late Late Show’s Carpool Karaoke Segment That Her Response To Swift's Song Had Her Like, "Ok, Cool, Cool, Cool, That's How You Want To Deal With It? Karma!”

Swish Swish Rumours Have Surfaced That Katy Perry’s Track Swish Swish Was Released In Response To Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood. With The Singer Revealing To James Corden During The Late Late Show’s Carpool Karaoke Segment That Her Response To Swift's Song Had Her Like, "Ok, Cool, Cool, Cool, That's How You Want To Deal With It? Karma!”

Katy Perry Report

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#36

Thank U, Next By Ariana Grande

Thank U, Next By Ariana Grande

Thank U, Next

While you may have known that Thank U, Next was about Pete Davidson, along with three of Ariana Grande’s previous partners Ricky Alvarez, Big Sean and Mac Miller, what you may not have known was that the singer actually wrote three iterations of the song, each with a different ending depending on how her relationship with Davidson turned out.

“In my relationship at the time, things were like up and down and on and off, and so I didn’t know what was going to happen and then we got back together,” said Grande during an interview on the Zach Sang Show, before adding that she was also rather nervous about naming her ex-boyfriends in the hit single.

“So I had to make a different version of it, and then we broke up again, so we ended up going with that verse,” she continued. “There’s a version where I was getting married, there’s a version where I’m not getting married, there’s a version with nothing.”

arianagrande Report

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#37

Taylor Swift Wrote "Better Than Revenge" About Camilla Belle Dating Joe Jonas (Her Ex)

Taylor Swift Wrote "Better Than Revenge" About Camilla Belle Dating Joe Jonas (Her Ex)

xposurephotos Report

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#38

"Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" By Elton John Was A Tribute To John Lennon, Who Had Been Assassinated 15 Months Prior To Its Release

"Empty Garden (Hey Hey Johnny)" By Elton John Was A Tribute To John Lennon, Who Had Been Assassinated 15 Months Prior To Its Release

Gilbert Montanié Report

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#39

Glory And Blue Beyoncé Knowles And Jay Z Have Both Released Tracks About Their First Child Together, Blue Ivy Carter. The Songs Credit B.i.c. (Blue Ivy Carter) As A Featured Artist

Glory And Blue Beyoncé Knowles And Jay Z Have Both Released Tracks About Their First Child Together, Blue Ivy Carter. The Songs Credit B.i.c. (Blue Ivy Carter) As A Featured Artist

beyonce Report

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CatWoman312
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These 2 are the most overrated artists in the industry. Beyoncé is generic at best yet she has fans who literally worship her like she’s a God...it’s weird

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#40

Lovebug By The Jonas Brothers

Lovebug By The Jonas Brothers

While the song Lovebug by the Jonas Brothers was originally released in 2008, it was only following the preview of their documentary Chasing Happiness in June 2019, that the band finally confirmed the track was in fact written about Miley Cyrus. The brothers first met the Disney star during a cameo appearance on an episode of Hannah Montana, before going on to open the Hannah Montana: Best of Both Worlds Tour shortly after.

In the new documentary, Kevin Jonas describes how Cyrus “changed girls” for his younger brother Nick, saying, “When we met Miley, I think that kid's head exploded.” The lyrics, which talk of a blossoming crush, can now be read in a fresh new light: “Now I'm speechless/ Over the edge, I'm just breathless/ I never thought that I'd catch this lovebug again/ Hopeless, head over heels in the moment.”

jonasbrothers Report

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#41

"The Warning" By Eminem Is A Clapback At Mariah’s "Obsessed."

"The Warning" By Eminem Is A Clapback At Mariah’s "Obsessed."

mariahcarey Report

#42

S0892 12. "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" By R.e.m. Was Inspired By An Incident Where Cbs Anchor Dan Rather Was Assaulted In Central Park. One Of The Assailants Repeated "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" Over And Over

S0892 12. "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" By R.e.m. Was Inspired By An Incident Where Cbs Anchor Dan Rather Was Assaulted In Central Park. One Of The Assailants Repeated "What's The Frequency, Kenneth?" Over And Over

John Mathew Smith & www.celebrity-photos.com , REM Report

#43

"Boyfriend" By Ashlee Simpson Was Aimed At Lindsay Lohan For Accusing Simpson Of Stealing Her Then-Boyfriend, Wilmer Valderrama

"Boyfriend" By Ashlee Simpson Was Aimed At Lindsay Lohan For Accusing Simpson Of Stealing Her Then-Boyfriend, Wilmer Valderrama

lindsaylohan , wilmervalderrama Report

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#44

Mariah Carey Wrote "Obsessed" About Eminem

Mariah Carey Wrote "Obsessed" About Eminem

mariahcarey Verified , eminem Report

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Conrad Strucker
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lot of people know this one, prolly the only diss track to ever put a dent in Eminem - because he couldn't hit back without proving her right

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#45

Katy Perry Wrote "By The Grace Of God" About Russell Brand

Katy Perry Wrote "By The Grace Of God" About Russell Brand

russellbrand Report

#46

The Heart Wants What It Wants It’s Reported That The Song Released In 2014 Is About Selena Gomez’s Relationship With Fellow Singer Justin Bieber

The Heart Wants What It Wants It’s Reported That The Song Released In 2014 Is About Selena Gomez’s Relationship With Fellow Singer Justin Bieber

selenagomez , justinbieber Report

#47

Bound 2 Rapper Kanye West's Song Is Allegedly About His Wife Kim Kardashian, Though This Conclusion Isn't Hard To Come To Considering Mrs Kardashian West Appears In The Song's Film Clip

Bound 2 Rapper Kanye West's Song Is Allegedly About His Wife Kim Kardashian, Though This Conclusion Isn't Hard To Come To Considering Mrs Kardashian West Appears In The Song's Film Clip

kimkardashian Report

#48

"Expectations" By Lauren Jauregui Was About Her Ex-Boyfriend Ty Dolla $ign. She Wrote It When She Was Angry At Him For Staying Out Late After A Performance And Not Telling Her Where He Was

"Expectations" By Lauren Jauregui Was About Her Ex-Boyfriend Ty Dolla $ign. She Wrote It When She Was Angry At Him For Staying Out Late After A Performance And Not Telling Her Where He Was

laurenjauregui , dollasign Report

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