14 Real People That Inspired Famous Songs Fans Didn’t Know About

Many musicians find inspiration for their songs in their personal lives, and often, their biggest hits are about real people—whether those people like it or not. Some songs, like Eric Clapton’s “Layla,” are inspired by celebrities, while others, like “My Sharona,” are about ordinary folks living everyday lives. As we sing along to these name-filled tunes, we often don’t realize that the characters in the lyrics are real people. From love stories to funny anecdotes and even darker inspirations, the true stories behind these songs are often more surprising than we think.

‘Come On Eileen’ Was Inspired by a Real Taboo Romance in a Catholic Community

Dexys Midnight Runners, often seen as a “one-hit wonder,” skyrocketed to global fame with their 1982 hit “Come On Eileen.” Written by lead singer Kevin Rowland, trombone player Jim Paterson, and guitarist Al Archer, the song is based on a real relationship Rowland had with a girl named Eileen during their teenage years. Both grew up in a strict Catholic community, attending church together. The song captures the mix of guilt and sexual awakening many teenagers experience in such a setting. Rowland explained to Melody Maker:

“It’s absolutely true all the way. I was about 14 or 15 and sex came into it and our relationship had always been so clean. It seemed at the time to get dirty and that’s what it’s about. I was really trying to capture that atmosphere.”

The song was Dexys Midnight Runners’ only No. 1 hit in the U.S. and is regarded as an ’80s classic, despite lacking the typical sounds and instruments of other hits from that era.

The Real Inspiration Behind Dolly Parton’s “Jolene”: A Flirtatious Bank Teller

When Dolly Parton released “Jolene” in 1973, it became an instant classic, and over the years, countless artists have covered it. The song’s appeal lies in the powerful emotion it conveys: a woman pleading with another to not steal her man. The lyrics are relatable, and many women could sympathize with Parton’s desperate plea to the stunning, emerald-eyed Jolene.

As it turns out, Jolene was inspired by a real woman—a red-headed bank teller who had a thing for Parton’s husband, Carl Thomas Dean. Parton shared with NPR: “She got this terrible crush on my husband… And he just loved going to the bank because she paid him so much attention. It was kinda like a running joke between us.”

Parton admits that the experience tapped into a universal feeling of inadequacy:

“She had everything I didn’t, like legs—she was about 6 feet tall. And had all that stuff that some little short, sawed-off honky like me don’t have… You’re always threatened by other women, period.”

However, Parton needn’t have worried. Despite the flirtation, she and Dean have been happily married since 1966. Interestingly, the real-life woman inspired the character in the song, but the name “Jolene” came from a sweet encounter with a little girl who had the same red hair and green eyes. Parton recalled, “I said, ‘Well, you’re the prettiest little thing I ever saw. So what is your name?’ She said, ‘Jolene.’ I said, ‘Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene. That sounds like a song.’” And so, a legend was born.

The Real-Life Sharona from ‘My Sharona’ Is Now a Real Estate Agent and Uses the Song to Her Benefit

The girl behind the iconic song “My Sharona” is not just a fictional character – she’s a real person. Sharona Alperin was the girlfriend of Doug Fieger, lead singer of The Knack, and inspired the band’s 1976 hit. She even appeared on the single’s cover, wearing a t-shirt and jeans. As Alperin recalls, the photo shoot only took about 10 minutes:

“That’s just what I would walk around in… I guess it was considered raunchy since you can see my nipples through the shirt. Nowadays, that outfit would be considered tame.”

Despite the attention the song brought, Alperin has embraced her role as its muse. “How many people have a song written about them?… I don’t tire of it,” she said. In fact, “My Sharona” became a summer anthem and later saw a resurgence in 1994 when it was featured in Reality Bites.

Now a successful real estate agent in West Los Angeles, Alperin cleverly uses the song’s fame to her advantage. Her website, mysharona.com, plays on the song’s popularity to connect with potential clients. Alperin shared that most people she meets immediately associate her name with the tune. “About 70 percent of the people I meet, as soon as I introduce myself as Sharona, they say ‘My Sharona,’” she said with a laugh. So, if you’re house hunting in Los Angeles, Sharona Alperin might just be the one to help you find your dream home!

‘Stacy’s Mom’ Was Inspired by Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger’s Grandmother

When you hear “Stacy’s Mom,” it’s hard not to sing along to “has got it going on.” The 2003 hit, which was nominated for a Grammy and topped the iTunes Most Downloaded Chart, was written by Fountains of Wayne’s Adam Schlesinger. The song’s inspiration came from a conversation with a friend who thought Schlesinger’s grandmother was “really hot.” Schlesinger admitted, “That’s a true story. And my grandmother was pretty hot.” He also drew influence from Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson.” So, in a way, Stacy’s mom was a tribute to his own family’s unexpected charm!

Despite the Romantic Lyrics, ‘Barbara Ann’ Was Inspired by the Songwriter’s Sister

You may not know the 1961 hit “Barbara Ann” by the Regents, but the song became a huge success. However, the version most people recognize today is the 1965 cover by the Beach Boys. What’s even more surprising than the Beach Boys version being a cover is the story behind the song. Written by Fred Fassert, the lyrics were inspired by his younger sister, Barbara Ann. So, the romantic song about a guy falling for a girl named Barbara Ann is a little awkward, considering the real Barbara Ann is the songwriter’s sister. Fred passed the song to the Regents, where his brother Charles, a band member, sang it. In the end, though, who cares when you’ve got a chorus as catchy as that?

Eric Clapton Wrote ‘Layla’ for Pattie Boyd, the Wife of His Best Friend George Harrison

With its unforgettable guitar riff and iconic chorus, “Layla” is one of rock’s most famous songs. Though these lyrics have become a staple in rock history, they’re actually about Pattie Boyd, the wife of Clapton’s best friend, George Harrison. Boyd, an English model, was married to Harrison when Clapton fell deeply in love with her.

The name “Layla” comes from a 12th-century Persian story about a princess who is forced into a marriage, leaving her true love heartbroken. Clapton wrote the 1970 hit as a plea for Boyd to leave Harrison and be with him. Boyd later said:

“With the realization that I had inspired such passion and creativity… the song got the better of me. I could resist no longer.”

While Boyd and Clapton did have a brief affair, she stayed married to Harrison until 1974. Their marriage ended due to Harrison’s infidelity, and Boyd married Clapton in 1979. However, Clapton’s struggles with drugs and affairs led to their divorce in 1989. Despite the messy love triangle, Boyd said the friendship between Harrison and Clapton remained strong, even after she left Harrison.

“The first Christmas after I’d left him, in 1974, just as Eric and I were sitting down to lunch, George burst in, uninvited… He had some wine and Christmas pudding with us. I couldn’t believe how friendly he and Eric were towards each other.”

Tom Higgenson Penned ‘Hey There Delilah’ for a Woman He Barely Knew

Released in 2006, “Hey There Delilah” by Plain White T’s became an instant hit and left fans wondering: who was the real Delilah? It turns out, the song was inspired by Delilah DiCrescenzo, a student at Columbia University who singer Tom Higgenson met through a mutual friend. Despite the song’s romantic lyrics suggesting a long-distance relationship, Higgenson and DiCrescenzo never dated. When they met, she was already in a relationship. Higgenson later admitted he wrote the song to express his interest, but DiCrescenzo didn’t return his feelings. Still, she embraced the attention and even attended the 2008 Grammys with the band. Aside from being the muse behind a hit song, DiCrescenzo has also made a name for herself as a successful distance runner.

‘Jessie’s Girl’ Was Actually ‘Gary’s Girl’

Rick Springfield, the Australian rock star behind the iconic 1980 hit “Jessie’s Girl,” is still known for this timeless tune. Though the song was released over 40 years ago, it remains a crowd favorite. The relatable theme of a guy in love with his best friend’s girl has kept it relevant. But what you might not know is that in real life, the “Jessie” wasn’t actually a “Jessie” at all – it was a guy named Gary.

Springfield came up with the song’s inspiration during his younger days. As he puts it, “I was always girl-obsessed but unbelievably shy. I didn’t get a whole lot of satisfaction, so to speak.” While attending an art class, he befriended Gary, who was dating a girl Springfield secretly had a crush on. Springfield never confessed his feelings or spoke to her, but he never forgot her. That unspoken longing turned into the Grammy-winning song that topped the charts when it was released.

Reflecting on the song’s catchy yet dark lyrics, Springfield says:

“It’s a bubbly and vivacious song, but it’s dark. It’s also covetous, which a lot of my music is.”

Neil Diamond Revealed That ‘Sweet Caroline’ Isn’t About Caroline Kennedy

Neil Diamond’s 1969 hit “Sweet Caroline” has been widely believed to be about Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy. But in 2014, Diamond set the record straight during an interview with Today. He revealed that the song wasn’t actually inspired by Kennedy, but by his wife at the time, Marsha. As he explained:

“I was writing a song in Memphis, Tennessee, for a session. I needed a three-syllable name. The song was about my wife at the time – her name was Marsha – and I couldn’t get a ‘Marsha’ rhyme.”

This admission contradicted previous statements, including his 2007 remark about being inspired by a photo of young Caroline Kennedy. He described it as “a picture of a little girl dressed to the nines in her riding gear, next to her pony… It was such an innocent, wonderful picture, I immediately felt there was a song in there.”

While Diamond now insists the song’s inspiration came from Marsha, it seems Caroline Kennedy’s name still played a role in the iconic title.

The Who’s ‘Baba O’Riley’ is a Tribute to Two Musical Inspirations

The Who’s iconic “Baba O’Riley” has often been misunderstood since its release nearly 50 years ago. Many fans have mistakenly taken the song as a teenage anthem of rebellion, especially with its famous “Teenage Wasteland” line. However, lead guitarist Pete Townshend explained that it was actually inspired by the bleak reality of Woodstock, where many concert-goers were in a state of despair. As Townshend described: “The absolute desolation of teenagers at Woodstock, where audience members were strung out on acid, and 20 people had brain damage. The irony was that some listeners took the song to be a teenage celebration: ‘Teenage Wasteland, yes! We’re all wasted!’”

The title “Baba O’Riley” combines the names of two people who deeply influenced Townshend’s music and philosophy at the time: Indian spiritual leader Meher Baba and minimalist composer Terry Riley. Townshend developed his Lifehouse Method, an electronic music experiment based on using people’s personal stats to generate random music. He shared:

“I thought I would start with an experiment based on the statistics of my Indian Master at the time, Meher Baba. When I finished, I was amazed to hear that the end results sounded very much like a piece by Terry Riley. So I called it Baba O’Riley.”

Michael Jackson’s Biographer Claims ‘Billie Jean’ Was About An Obsessed Fan

Michael Jackson’s fame attracted millions of fans, but not all the attention he received was positive. Some of it became downright unsettling. One of his most famous songs, “Billie Jean,” was allegedly inspired by a real-life stalker. According to Jackson’s biographer, Randy Taraborrelli, a woman began sending Jackson letters in 1981, claiming he was the father of her child. The situation escalated when she sent him a package containing a gun, which deeply alarmed Jackson. Music producer Quincy Jones also shared that the song was based on a real stalker, saying:

“[Jackson] said it was about a girl who climbed over [his] wall and he woke up one morning and she was laying out by the pool.”

While Jackson never confirmed the story, he wrote in his autobiography that Billie Jean was “a composite of people my brothers have been plagued with over the years.” Despite the unsettling inspiration, the upbeat tune became one of Jackson’s greatest hits.

Kiss’s ‘Plaster Caster’ Is About Groupie Cynthia Plaster Caster, Who Created Plaster Molds Of Musicians’ Private Parts

Kiss is undeniably one of the most iconic rock bands in history, known for their bold personas, energetic performances, and unforgettable songs. But one of their tracks, “Plaster Caster,” stands out not only for its catchy tune but for its unforgettable backstory. The song is inspired by Cynthia Albritton, an artist known as Cynthia Plaster Caster, who gained fame for her unusual work of creating plaster molds of rock musicians’ genitalia.

It all started when Albritton was an art student in Chicago. For an assignment, she had to create a plaster cast of something solid, and she decided to make molds of a very unique subject. Though many musicians initially turned her down, Jimi Hendrix eventually agreed, and that opened the floodgates. Soon, other rock stars and music managers were reaching out to her for their own casts.

While none of the Kiss members had their molds made, their song about Albritton’s work helped cement her place in rock ‘n’ roll history. When Albritton first heard the song, she wasn’t too thrilled, thinking it was about Gene Simmons and his involvement. However, after hearing a cover by The Lemonheads, she began to appreciate the melody. She told Songfacts:

“I’m all right with the song. Don’t LOVE it, but I like it.”

Lady Gaga’s ‘Alejandro’ Refers to Three ‘Boyfriends’

Lady Gaga’s hit single “Alejandro” from her album The Fame Monster is a catchy tune that explores her complex feelings about love and relationships. While the song might seem like a simple goodbye to past lovers, it’s actually much deeper. In fact, “Alejandro” references three important men in Gaga’s life: Alejandro, Fernando, and Roberto.

These names aren’t just random choices—each one has a personal connection. “Alejandro” refers to the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen, who passed away shortly before the song’s release. Gaga had a close bond with McQueen and was often described as his “unofficial muse.” “Fernando” is believed to be her producer Fernando Garibay, and “Roberto” points to her former collaborator, Rob Fusari, who was also rumored to have dated Gaga and later sued her.

The music video for “Alejandro” stirred up controversy with its mix of religious imagery and sexual themes. However, Gaga explained to Larry King that it was “a celebration of my love and appreciation for the gay community,” showing her support in her unique and bold style.

Adam Levine’s Ex-Girlfriend Jane Inspired Every Song on Maroon 5’s Songs About Jane

Maroon 5’s debut album, Songs About Jane, became a massive success, selling over 10 million copies. But behind the catchy tunes and the album’s success lies a story of heartbreak and love. Many people initially thought “Jane” referred to cannabis, but lead singer Adam Levine set the record straight. Jane was a real person—his ex-girlfriend, Jane Herman. As Levine explained to author Gavin Edwards,

“Jane is my ex-girlfriend… I wanted to name the record really sincerely—record names are so clever and cute these days. I was eighteen or nineteen when I saw Jane at the gas station, and I fell in love with her. I sweet-talked her, made her fall in love with me, then I got frustrated with her and we parted ways.”

When asked how Jane felt about the album, Levine said:

“I actually asked her permission… That was the last time we spoke. She seemed flattered, but I know she disapproves of me and what I do with my life.”

Although not every song is about their relationship, Levine admitted that “there’s at least one line in every song about her… But it also just happens that Jane is such a common name, you know, like Jane Doe.” One of the album’s biggest hits, “This Love,” was inspired by their breakup when she moved away. Interestingly, Levine’s then-girlfriend, model Kelly McGee, starred in the music video.