Liner Notes

For decades, experimental musicians have created new hit songs by repurposing lyrics or melodies from previous hits. In 1969, “Come Together,” by The Beatles sampled, “You Can’t Catch Me,” by Chuck Berry. In 1989, “Fight the Power,” by Public Enemy sampled, “Funky Drummer,” by James Brown. “Iron Man,” by Black Sabbath was sampled in “Hell of a Life,” by Kanye West in 2010. Lady Gaga sampled Queen. Led Zeppelin sampled Muddy Waters. And Pink Floyd sampled Tchaikovsky.

Artists inspire artists, and Liner Notes—64 ekphrastic poems describing 64 musicians as artists making music—exemplifies this rich, evocative tradition.