Random Greatest Muses in Music World (19 items)

• 

  (#12) Yoko Ono

  • b. 1933

  For better or worse, Yoko Ono was John Lennon's muse. Some say she tore apart The Beatles, however some think she was responsible for helping Lennon create some of his best music. Ono was a painter, sculptor, photographer, singer-songwriter, and and peace activist, and you can see her influence in Lennon songs such as "Oh Yoko," "Dear Yoko," "The Ballad of John and Yoko," and the #2 hit "Woman."
• 

  (#13) Elle Macpherson

  • b. 1964

  Though many people believe Billy Joel's song "Uptown Girl" was about his future wife Christie Brinkley, they might be wrong. According to authors Michael Heatley and Frank Hopkinson, the song was actually inspired by another supermodel: Elle Macpherson. The story goes that Joel was on vacation in the Caribbean when he stumbled upon three lovely ladies together – Macpherson, Brinkley, and Whitney Houston. He started to date Macpherson first and wrote the song "Uptown Girls" (which eventually dropped the "s") about them. In an odd twist, Joel then went on to marry Brinkley.
• 

  (#2) Pattie Boyd

  • b. 1944

  Pattie Boyd is most famous for being the real Layla in the Eric Clapton song of the same name, as well as the inspiration for his song "Wonderful Tonight." She was also George Harrison's "Something" muse (as well as his wife for many years). When interviewed by ABC News's Elizabeth Vargas about why she was such a strong muse for artists, Boyd responded, "I wish I knew.  Like, I wish I could tell you. I don't know."
• 

  (#7) Rosanna Arquette

  • b. 1959

  Before a 2013-14 recurring role on Ray Donovan, Rosanna Arquette was a musical muse. She was the inspiration behind the Toto song "Rosanna," and, even better, the monumental Peter Gabriel song "In Your Eyes" is actually about Arquette as well. Arquette and Gabriel were lovers at the time, and the song went on to become a pivotal movie song when John Cusack held up the boom box in the classic film Say Anything.
• 

  (#9) Anita Pallenberg

  • b. 1942 - d. 2017

  It's been speculated for years that "Angie" by The Rolling Stones is actually about an Anita. Anita Pallenberg was a long-time muse of lead guitarist Keith Richards, and she cause quite a rift in the band. She had her fair share of drug abuse problems, and was known to not only keep up with Richards, but to exceed him at times. This statement looms large considering Richards is famous for his immoderate drug use. 

  At one point it was even rumored she was sleeping with Mick Jagger, while still in a relationship with Richards. She also managed to heavily influence the band's music and clothing style. 
• 

  (#14) Anna Gordy Gaye

  • b. 1922 - d. 2014

  Anna Gordy Gaye was married to singer Marvin Gaye, which was no easy task. The two had a very tumultuous and violent relationship, but she inspired songs like "Pride & Joy," "Stubborn Kind of Fellow," "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," and "That's the Way Love Goes." Gaye even dedicated his album Here, My Dear to her, but more to stick it to her after she milked him for child support and alimony.

New Random Displays    Display All By Ranking