9 Popular Songs You Didn't Know Were Based On Real News Stories

3. Incubus - "Pardon Me"

It's probably a bit rare for a song unrelated to Spinal Tap to be inspired by people spontaneously exploding, but then again, alt-rock band Incubus (named after a demon who rapes women) has always been a little odd. According to lead singer Brandon Boyd, the impetus for their major single was an article in Life magazine about the phenomenon called spontaneous human combustion. It's a real thing, though probably not as "spontaneous" as reports suggest. (Scientists often debunk the theory and suggest there are simply external ignition sources that go unnoticed in these types of cases.)

Regardless, Boyd says the image of "an old guy's legs and shoes, perfectly intact" with nothing but a pile of charred ashes surrounding them, struck a chord with him due to some outside turmoil he was experiencing in his life at the time. The details of the photo found their way into "Pardon Me," which helped launch Incubus as unique contender in the nu-metal scene.

Not two days ago I was having a look in a book And I saw a picture of a guy fried up above his knees I said I can relate, Cause lately I've been thinking of combustication As a welcomed vacation from the burdens of planet earth