There is a lot of genius in rock ‘n roll, but even the most talented musicians have to draw inspiration from someplace or someone. The muse is a commonly underestimated source, but some of the greatest songs in history are the result of one, usually in the form of a gorgeous woman. Here are some of the greatest muses
in music and the songs they inspired (and if you’re worried Yoko Ono or Courtney Love are hiding in here, don’t be).
Bebe Buell
Prince – “Little Red Corvette”
More of a real life Penny Lane–she was the inspiration for the “Almost Famous” Kate Hudson character–Bebe Buell floated from big name artists to rock gods, including David Bowie, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page and Iggy Pop. She’s even a baby mama to Steven Tyler with her daughter Liv. She claims to be a big influence on Elvis Costelllo’s “Blood & Chocolate” record, but the big one she swears on is her contribution to Prince for “Little Red Corvette.”
Pattie Boyd
The Beatles – “Something”
Patti Boyd was a main source of inspiration to two of music’s greatest singer-songwriters, starting with George Harrison in his prime in 1966. Pattie inspired his early Beatles work in “Something” as well as his solo stuff in “Isn’t It a Pity?” Near the end of her marriage to Harrison, she was quickly pursued by his friend, Eric Clapton. “Layla” was Pattie’s biggest contribution to Clapton when he was with Derek & The Dominos in 1974. “Layla” is ironically one of the great songs of unrequited love in the great American songbook. She later inspired his solo hit “Wonderful Tonight,” as well. Now she has an autobiography called “Wonderful Tonight: George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Me.” Sounds like a hell of a literary orgy.
Jenny Boyd
Donovan – “Jennifer Juniper”
At the same time that her sister Pattie was musing for Harrison, Jenny was inspiring folk singer Donovan. In 1968, she gave up modeling to travel with Donovan to India to meditate, around the same time The Beatles went on their India travels. He released “Jennifer Juniper” in 1968. She then went on to marry and inspire Mick Fleetwood two years later in a topsy turvy on-off relationship until it ended in ’77.
Linda McCartney
Paul McCartney – “Maybe I’m Amazed”
Linda Eastman, the former wife of Beatles legend Paul, is known as one of the most prolific rock muses. Marrying McCartney at the end of the Beatles era in 1969 and influencing more than a dozen of his post-Beatle songs, including “My Love” and “Silly Love Songs,” Linda McCartney’s name carries the weight. This all started after McCartney’s muse-filled relationship with Jane Asher, who inspired a lot of the early Beatles hits around 1963.
Marianne Faithfull
The Rolling Stones – “Sympathy for the Devil”
Mick Jagger had a bombshell on his hands in the beautiful yet artistic Marianne Faithfull. Her presence as well as her favorite literature–namely “The Master and The Margarita”–invoked the inspiration for hit Stones songs like “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” “Let’s Spend the Night Together” and possibly “Wild Horses.” Jagger can’t recall if that one was her doing, but she gladly takes credit for it. Drugs, right? She also inspired songs by The Beatles and The Hollies around the same time period.
Suze Rotolo
Bob Dylan – “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”
More than the number of early Dylan songs she inspired, she’s also the face next to him on the iconic cover of his “The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan” album. She also inspired songs “Tomorrow Is a Long Time” and “Boots of Spanish Leather.” Dylan had another great muse in Echo Helstrom, who inspired “Girl of North Country.”
Pamela Courson
The Doors – “Roadhouse Blues”
Jim Morrison’s wife, Pam, was the inspiration behind countless Doors songs, their cosmic chemistry becoming Morrison’s muse from the night of their first show in 1965 at London Fog until his death in 1971. The song “Roadhouse Blues” starts with Morrison telling Pam to “keep your eyes on the road/your hands upon the wheel.” Other Doors hits like “Love Street,” “Queen of the Highway” and “Five to One” were also written by Morrison with Pam’s influence.
June Carter
Johnny Cash – “Ring of Fire”
The song wasn’t inspired so much by June as much as it was written by her. The song was written by Carter and first recorded by her sister, Anita, as “(Love’s) Ring of Fire.” Its full potential was not realized until Johnny Cash released it in 1963, becoming the biggest hit of his career. Behind every great man, there’s a woman. In Johnny’s defense, he was actually June’s muse for the song, her lyrics about falling in love with the now late Cash, so maybe those cancel each other out. Or maybe not.
Patti D’Arbanville
Cat Stevens – “Wild World”
The year 1970 was a big year for Cat Stevens, due in part to his muse Patti D’Arbanville, whose influence helped the songwriter create two songs, “Wild World” and “Lady D’Arbanville,” which allowed him to rise to fame in her honor. The song “Wild World” is a bit condescending towards Patti, so it’s no surprise she left Cat for–obviously–Mick Jagger, who has no shortage of muses in his life.
Judy Collins
Crosby, Stills & Nash – “Suite Judy Blue Eyes”
The classic intro to the 1969 folk record “Crosby, Stills & Nash” was “Suite Judy Blue Eyes,” written in tribute to none other than Judy Collins herself during the end of her relationship with Stephen Stills. One of those classic feel-good songs with dark lyrics, the upbeat song with sing-along ending tells the tale of a relationship on the rocks, heading for an iceberg (not literally). Judy Collins was a popular songwriter in her own right, known for her piercing blue eyes, appropriate for the song title itself.
