16 Misinterpreted Song Meanings

It's like early..but I figured I'd do it and take a break from what I was doing...meaning next week might not need a top 16 list...unless I get bored again lol....



Today guys you're in for a treat I have scavenged for the songs that people usually botch the meanings.

Now no one go and say "music is subjective!!"
It's not. Music is art and art's quality might be interpreted subjectively BUT the MESSAGE of music's lyrics are pretty damn clear in their intention/message.

From Smoke on the Water being about a club burning to the ground to Summer of 69 being about the sex position/summer of wild sex. Song lyrics are meant to be enjoyed WITH or without their meanings known by all. Some people have a blissful ignorance thinking their idea of the meaning is right and I don't wish to blow that bliss but I have 16 songs that you probably are gonna go "wait wha?" over.


Let's get this show on the road. Today JM presents to you his top 16 (not in any order today) misinterpreted song lyrics.




Number 16-
          The Police- Every Breath you Take

Majority People think it is about- LOVE <3

Isn't is a bit creepy to see this up here? I mean for YEARS wedding couples would play this as their first dance. High school sweet herts would put this on their lovers mix tapes...you guys do mix tapes for your loves still right? (What's that Casey...they don't?....WHAT?!!?!? ....*vanishes for a few minutes and returns with a boombox* MAKE Mix Tapes- they show how much you love people...trust me.)

Anyway- yeah this song was a classic love song for everyone...they thought. Would you hate to know that this is actually about insecurity/possessiveness after a break up.  I mean ok- let's examine some lyrics:

every breath you take, every move you make, every bond you break, every step you take- I'll be watching you. - creepy?

Every single day And every word you say Every game you play, every night you stay
I'll be watching you- WTF?!

Oh can't you see You belong to me How my poor heart aches With every step you take- ok buddy back off...I need space...


See my point? Call it romantic in sound but in meaning the lyrics provide the theory that women DO want guys like this. They like how he is territorial, possessive, etc - HOWEVER only in theory they want it...because once it happens and he becomes that way, she freaks and realizes...SHIT this dudes a bit...well yeah...."

so a tip- don't make this your love song if you're a couple lol, it's kinda a bad omen I bet.



Number 15-
             Bruce Springsteen- Born in the USA

Majority of People think this is about- PATRIOTISM!!....>.>

ok Rednecks- get pissed at me, then realize you're more of an idiot then you think. Springsteen FOOLED Regan with this one- you think it's patriot...good for you. It's not. Born in the USA is a outcry for the Vietnam war. I'll provide proof:

Got in a little hometown jam
So they put a rifle in my hand
Sent me off to a foreign land
To go and kill the yellow man


Come back home to the refinery
Hiring man said son if it was up to me
Went down to see my v.a. man
He said son, don't you understand

I had a brother at Khe Sahn
Fighting off the Viet Cong
They're still there, he's all gone

He had a woman he loved in Saigon
I got a picture of him in her arms now

Down in the shadow of the penitentiary
Out by the gas fires of the refinery
I'm ten years burning down the road
Nowhere to run aint got nowhere to go 

This song had a GREAT chorus but the verses themselves were very passionate and calling out the country for sending soldiers over to Vietnam yet when they came back...well you know how we treat our V.A buddies. Springsteen probably had the idea that people had no real idea of how bad our solders had it, then to make it worse people were praising those same troops for killing one or two Viet Cong members- not realizing that it meant children, women, etc. The song is kinda a shadowdy truth that a lot of people hide from.



Number 14-
           Maroon 5- Harder to Breathe

Majority of People think this is about- making the beast of two backs with Jane

I can already hear it- "BUT JM! this is about SEXY SEX SEX!!!"
...no...no it is not.


How dare you say that my behavior is unacceptable
So condescending unnecessarily critical
I have the tendency of getting very physical
So watch your step 'cause if I do you'll need a miracle

You drain me dry and make me wonder why I'm even here
This Double Vision I was seeing is finally clear
You want to stay but you know very well I want you gone
Not fit to fuckin' [CD cover says: "funkin'"] tread the ground that I'm walking on.

What you are reading are Adam Levine's message to the Record Company that was abusing his and his bands ability to make good music, demanding song after song after song. Ruining the love of music Maroon 5 originally had before signing on- they felt this song's multiple meanings would get passed into the album, mostly because everyone will think it is about that slut Jane.

“Does it kill, Does it burn, Is it painful to learn, That it’s me that has all the control”

    - A set of lyrics that really was the slap to the face. Causing this song to be an instant hit with the fans and the record company.

Maroon 5 Faces what anyone with a company owning their talent faces- demands that are near impossible to meet. Be it record companies demanding more songs then time could allow to be made to authors being demanded to provide materials for a manuscript that you are barely able to process fast enough. Those higher ups forget- "our talent" got them to notice us. We can walk away and find other people to enjoy our talents just as much for less stress.

Remember this when you listen to music- sometimes he record companies are being pissed on by the songs you love.

Number 13- 

              Eagles- Hotel California

Majority of People think this is about- Lucy-fer and that gosh darn devil moozik

Why...this song is TOO cool to be about crap like that...really it is.

ominous and abstract in nature- this song really isn't about the Devil...or California really. Mostly it is actually supposed to explain the pain/suffering of being on the road...ALL the time.

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself,
"This could be Heaven or this could be Hell"
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say...

Welcome to the Hotel California
Such a lovely place (Such a lovely place)
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the Hotel California
Any time of year (Any time of year)
You can find it here 

 

The first verse sums it up- being on the highway is great- the freedom and such but when they need to crash and actually REST...the hotels become home. The people in those hotels new friends or family. Maybe Lovers. A lot of hotels can be the greatest you'll stay in...others just flat out suck. They are in all types of neighborhoods, from ghettos to beautiful scenery all around.

 

There really isn't much to defend anymore...I mean once you get passed the b.s about the church of satan guy that everyone thinks that is about. You can see the harmless message that sometimes hotels are a man/band's best friend.

 

 

Number 12- 

            Queen- Bohemian Rhapsody

 

 

Majority of people think this is about- Mercury's struggle with AIDS

 

hmmm pfftt where to start..

 

well it hasn't less to do with aids then an abortion clinic if that helps. Seeing as the "AIDS Epidemic" of the 80s...was after this song was finished....but yeah this song actually has NO meaning...it is actually one of those songs where the music was made first and then lyrics were added to string together with the melody.

I mean from verse to verse NOTHING flows together in the sense of an overall "Message" maybe fans have associated a meaning of "Struggles of Life and acceptance of death" later as it became a bigger and bigger hit (probably still one of the ONLY songs world wide that everyone seems to know, stop what they are doing and join in for, without fail.)

I guess you could say though, MAYBE- BIG MAYBE here...Mercury intended THAT...to leave an ambiguous and wide open range of meanings to grant every listener their own perspective to it. I doubt he could have GUESSED how big the song would get but he did know when it was done- it was a hit. It was one of their crowning achievements to musical history (intended that way or not)

 

We'll never really know what Freddie had in mind for this song...but we do know that now that it is...whatever it is...I doubt he'd say anyone is wrong for their interpretations...because they probably are amazing and well thought out..aside from the the whole AIDS one...that was just foolish. (I think anyway)

 

 

 

Number 11- 

               Guns and Roses- November Rain

 

 

 

People Have Thought this Meant- 'Slash and Axl Breaking up'

 'Axl's Dream song'

Meaningless- just a long song.

Actual Meaning-
not wanting to deal with love that isn't mutual or reciprocated.

 

 

This is one of Guns and Roses- GREATEST songs. Originally being 25 minutes long with TWO solos by Slash, and being cut to 8-9 minutes in the end. This song was probably the most beautiful for imagery (the music video) and some how most heart felt in their discography. According to one of Axl's former band mates (Tracii Guns) he was working on this all the way back in 1983. It was the first/only thing he originally could play on Piano. Yet he had no real idea what to do with it, he just knew it'd be a great song...if he could finish it.

Personally I am not sure really if the meanings I've found are really it. I mean listening to it as much as I have I really would like to ask the band back then what it meant. Not what it means now. Personally I think it does have something to do with Axl and Slash 'ending' (tying into the not wanting to deal with love that isn't mutual) and the BASE of it is 'Axl's Song' The piano being him and everything else being "the world around him" persay. Almost getting into the idea- why did it go from 25 minutes down to 9? 

**If this meaning is wrong I'll be sure to rectify it. Searching for an ACTUAL concrete meaning wasn't easy so I went with one I saw most often and would be fine admitting if it is wrong provided someone presents that evidence.

Number 10- 

            Eurythmics- Sweet Dreams

                           (Video is Marilyn Manson's Version)

 

               

Majority of people Feel this means- Rape/Bad Relationships/Abuse

Reality- this meaning was a bit more...well less negative I guess...

The information booklet in Eurythmics' 1983 album Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) says that the song is about life as it is, saying that here we are in our existence, trying to make sense of our lives and to survive (Sweet dreams are made of this/Who am I to disagree/I travel the world an the seven seas/Everybody's looking for something).

Then (Some of them want to use you/Some of them want to get used by you/Some of them want to abuse you/Some of them want to be abused) is indicative of the types of people you run into in daily life.

Finally, (Hold your head up/Keep your head up/Movin' on) means that you must move on despite these obstacles.

Or, the song can be applied to a lot of different conflicts (or blissful breakthroughs), which would make the song rather versatile in movies involving predicaments in the beginning which are solved in the end.

This all being said- technically...it means whatever the listener wishes it to mean (within logical evidence provided reason of course) But the intended meaning is life itself. (I love how creepy manson made it though >.> gave it a WHOLE new feel)

Number 9- 

          Phil Collins- In the Air Tonight     

What people thought- too many rumors you've probably heard a few of them

What it actually means- HAHA Phil Collins says "“This is one song out of all the songs that I’ve ever written… that I really don’t know what it’s about”

 

I've heard soo many people saying what they think it means. From "its about love in the air, and people falling in love all the time." to "Phil witnessed an onlooker who could have saved someone from drowning, but didn’t." But holy shit what do I think about it meaning NOTHING...I kinda laugh...it's like Bohemian Rhapsody all over again..just with a better drum solo.

 

I kinda wanna know what YOU guys think for this song- comment below with what you've thought of this song before reading this for a meaning.

 

 

 

 

Number 8-

              R.E.M- Losing My Religion

 

 

 

 

People think- Losing Faith in God

 

Reality- (southerns should know this) - being frustrated with a situation or a person. 

 

The Phrase “lose one’s religion” is actually a Southern phrase that means to run out of patience or to be very frustrated by a person or situation. This song is actually about having a crush on somebody and constantly looking for assurances that the love is not unrequited.

Which honestly makes sense. Mostly in the lyrics -

That's me in the corner, thats me in the spot light losing my religion.

obviously everyone knows that feeling, you love someone EVERYONE knows but it doesn't matter and your "faith" is being broken or shattered by the pain/frustration of the unanswered feelings.

Number 7- 

         Dave Mathew's Band- Crash into Me

People think- love song

Reality- PEEPING TOM....(why do so many musicians do this? o.O)

I’m pretty sure I put this song on a mix CD I made once or twice my sophomore year of high school. At the time, I thought it was a beautiful love song about longing for someone else. Well, it is, sorta...kinda… but the person singing is actually a perv! 

 

Some lines should give him away: “Oh I watch you there through the window and I stare at you. You wear nothing but you wear it so well.” 

 

honestly girls- if a guy gives you this song. ask what he thinks of you naked, see how he responds before dating him. He might have already seen it...once or twice ya know.

 

 

 

Number 6

              The Beatles- Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

 

 

          

People think- LSD

Reality- John's son drew a picture for his friend Lucy

John Lennon stated that the origins of the title come from a drawing that his son did of his friend, Lucy. The title of the picture was “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” so John used that for his song. 

 

You can't imagine how many people I hear that actually get PISSED when I say "It has NOTHING to do with DRUGS!"

Even if it did LATER ....Lennon said the title was taken form the  picture his son drew. The video might have been about a trip...That I won't fight at ALL...but the song itself...no, no drugs.

Number 5- 

            Depeche Mode- Personal Jesus (Multiple Artists covered it)

                                      (Johnny Cash version video - my personal favorite)

 

 People think- Heroin/religion/etc

Reality- inspired by the book "Elvis and Me" by Pricilla Presley. According to the songwriter, Martin Gore, "It's a song about being a Jesus for someone else, someone to give you hope and care. It's about how Elvis was her man and her mentor and how often that happens in love relationships; how everybody's heart is like a god in some way, and that's not a very balanced view of someone, is it"

 

 I get that everyone tweeks that it's a blasphemous song. But honestly- I actually find that it's REALLY inspirational. Reach out- touch faith. Feeling unknown and all alone...

the song deals with the fact EVERYONE needs a personal savior. Divine or not...someone who will forgive you for anything, help you when you need it and help you find out who you really are.

Number 4- 

               Black Sabbath- Iron Man (Originally Iron Bloke)

What it isn't- Tony Stark's Them song

 

 

Reality- Be prepared to face palm with a chair... Many fans of the Marvel franchise comic book character, most of whom joined the fan base after the 2008 film, seem to have it in their heads that the Black Sabbath song is about the comic book character.

Black Sabbath bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler wrote the song as a kind of science fiction ballad about someone who travels in time and tries to warn the present about some kind of  future apocalypse, but some how winds  up causing it instead. It has no connection to the comic book character and in fact was originally called "Iron Bloke".
So yeah....I kinda wanna smack people for hearing them say "JM you LOVE IRON MAN...isn't that your favorite song?!"...
-.-* you shouldn't breed for that thought dimwit.




Number 3 -
             Bryan Adams- Summer of '69

What it isn't- Nostalgic Memory of a band


Reality- In the Summer of '69, Bryan was 9 years old. Soooo yeah no.

Reality Bryan Adams admits it: "It's a very simple song about looking back on the summertime and making love. For me, the '69 was a metaphor for making love not about the year." <- Bryan Adams in an interview.

The video is amazing and gives the feel of a "look back on how his band was formed" or something to like. But in reality it is about sex during the summer...and maybe a few 69s in between.



Number 2-
               U2- Pride in the Name of Love

What it is not- Jesus or One night stands

What is it really then?

Bono was speaking about those throughout history who have died because they preached of the equality of all men and practiced non-violence as the only way to achieve their goal of having this equality universally recognized.

Dr. King, the primary example of non-violent resistance as the only way to bring about changes in civil rights. But there are allusions to others; Christ for example.

The song is about singular "people" (including Christ as man) that lived their life with pride. Not in a boastful way, but with the pride a person has when their thoughts and actions are motivated by their understanding and full awareness of the dignity and sanctity of ALL human life.

It is a tribute or illustration or reminder to us, of martyrs to this ideal. It speaks to how they lived their life with an inner Pride in all of humanity and that this Pride is really an expression of God's love for all of humanity. These people did what they did because they were trying to spread this message of God's love for all of mankind.


Long story short- no divinity/no faith- just love and a kind heart from a man who the world listened to and still does with anticipation.



finally though


Number 1-
              Eve 6- Here's to the Nights

What it is not- Nostalgia for times long past

What it is- My graduating class song (HA had to do it) and a one night stand...yeah...seriously.


A LOT of people use this song as a graduation tune and it has the words that describe what graduating kids would want to hear...sort of. If they are into one night stands and sleeping around I guess?

I love the song. I had much feeling put into listening to it all through out high school and I still do get a bit weird hearing it. But that is because of the memories attached- not the lyrics. These lyrics are in a way the singers admitting of his guilt. He lied to the girl(s) and had sex and then moved on. Obviously looking back he either regretted it for personal reasons or got caught up with by the offended party.

I guess the best thing to say about this song- It's great and all but the multiple meanings allows it to be greater.





That's it- my top 16 list.. I have to say a LOT of songs have many meanings. Our own...then the intended meanings. I am not saying your meaning is WRONG because Music does one thing- it is supposed to connect us together by enjoying it. Not fighting over the meanings. That is how music is art. Granted the writers are truly the ones who decide what it meant. Not us, we only interpret it. So please remember that when talking with friends over music.



Alrighty as always- follow me here and on twitter to send suggestions for more top lists or other rants. leave comments below and I'll be sure to answer them at the end of each month and don't forget- happy zombie jesus day this weekend. ta ta folks :P

@JMMulqueeney