Music can be inspired by just about anything, but very often it's real people who have influenced some of popular music's most iconic tracks.
Real-life individuals, from spouses and lovers to historical figures, celebrities, royalty, and even fellow bandmates, have gifted singer-songwriters with some unforgettable lyrics and truly memorable hits. Yet rarely do these songs give away the true identity of the characters being sung about, or explain how they have shaped the artist's life.
In this gallery, we list 31 classic songs that have drawn inspiration from real people, names and faces, alive or deceased, that have been immortalized in music. Click on and find out if your favorite track is among them.