Madonna Joins Rock Hall

And more sometimes surprising stories behind the songs

(NEWSER) - Inspired by Taylor Swift, who regularly pens songs about her real-life boyfriends , the New York Daily News lists six stories behind six classic songs. Most come from new book The Girl in the Song by Michael Heatley and Frank Hopkinson:

• Billy Joel, “Uptown Girl”: Contrary to popular belief, this song is about Elle MacPherson, not Christie Brinkley. Joel dated MacPherson before Brinkley.
• Bob Dylan, “It Ain’t Me Babe”: The singer had an affair with Joan Baez in the ‘60s—and then penned this song as a kiss-off to her. She returned the favor with “Diamonds and Rust.”

Material Girl looks back on success, talks Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga

(NEWSER) - Madonna is still making headlines 25 years after telling Dick Clark she planned “to rule the world” on American Bandstand. She looks back at the past three decades with Rolling Stone, revealing her first “provocative performance” as a seventh grader, her life as a “geek” in high school, and her worst fashion moment—“the purple lipstick, fluorescent-green sweater combo.” The Material Girl also offers up her thoughts on today’s stars: More»

Memorabilia displayed in city he loved

(NEWSER) - A new exhibit of John Lennon memorabilia includes a bloodied hospital bag holding the clothes he wore the night he was shot to death, reports the Guardian. The bag is the most jolting display of the new show launched by Lennon's widow at the Manhattan annex of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. "John came back to me in a brown paper bag. I want the world to know that," said Yoko Ono. More»

Material Mom might be putting off promised move to Malawi

(NEWSER) - Madonna may be sending her moving van(s) to the Upper East Side of Manhattan rather than Malawi, reports the New York Post. The singer is plunking down $40 million for a Georgian-style townhouse. That’s $5 million less than the asking price, but hardly a bargain; no residence in the area “has ever sold for $20 million, let alone $30 million—or ever will again,” says one broker. More»

But the exes never share the stage

(NEWSER) - Madonna brought Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake together again—sort of. She shared the stage with famous exes during her show last night at Dodger Stadium, E! Online reports, but not at the same time. Brit joined Madge for the third song of the night and got a kiss—on the hand—for her efforts. Justin's duet came later, and the former Mousketeers never crossed paths. More»