Ever found yourself blissfully singing along to your favorite song, with no clue what your singing about. Well that there may be more than meets the eye with some hits. Actually, if you delve deeper into the lyrics, you may discover that some have hidden meanings. Other songs are so personal to the artist that even if we knew all the lyrics, we couldn’t hope to understand the real meaning. The airwaves are actually flooded with misunderstood songs that have been so misconstrued over the years, the original context has been lost completely. Whether the misleadingly sweet chords conceal sinister undertones, urban legends, or just wild guesses. But as soon as the song is released to the public, it can easily morph into something completely new. So let’s unravel the real meanings behind these commonly misunderstood songs.
‘The One I Love’ – R.E.M.
This commonly misunderstood song, might go down in history is one of the world’s greatest love songs. However, we hate to break it but this was never written to be a love song. In fact the band almost didn’t release the song because the lead singer Michael Stipe said they felt it was “too brutal, … really violent and awful.” Well come to think of it, the song love title is a little misleading. If you call your lover “a simple prop to occupy my time”, it doesn’t really sound like your trying to shower them with love and romantic overtures.
The One I Love R.E.M.
‘Alive’ – Pearl Jam
Most fans commonly misinterpreted the Pearl Jam 1991 anthem “Alive” as a hit about perseverance. When Eddie Vedder belted out lyrics like “Yeah, yeah I, oh, I’m still alive”, it’s easy to see why. However fans might be surprised to hear that the song is actually much deeper. Vedder once explained to Rolling Stone that the track is about the dealing with learning that his father was actually his stepfather, and that his actual biological father was dead. He explained, “He’s still dealing with love, he’s still dealing with the death of his father. All he knows is ‘I’m still alive’ … That’s totally out of burden,”
Alive Pearl Jam
‘Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)’ – Green Day
Green Day’s acoustic ballad ‘Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)’ was a huge anthem in 1998 that helped the grungy, niche band cross over to the mainstream. This was party because of the song’s wistful and emotional lyrics about the passage of time and it’s memorable appearance in the Seinfeld finale. The song blew up and has been a long-time favorite at proms, graduations, and weddings. However we hate to break it all those happy couples, but the lyrics are actually a little angry and more of a rebuke against an ex-girlfriend who will one day regret leaving the “time of her life.”
Good Riddance Time Of Your Life Green Day
‘Closing Time’ – Semisonic
Semisonic’s “Closing Time” have morphed into one of the biggest end-of-the night anthems of all time. All around the world, bars and clubs typically close every night with this legendary track because it ‘Closing Time’. People don’t even have to request it any more! However, although the song’s title is ‘Closing Time’, the actually lyrics are actually about something completely different. The band did admit that they realized fans would think the song is about the end of the night. But it’s actually about the singer Dan Wilson and his girlfriend’s pregnancy. Who would have knew!?
Closing Time Semisonic
‘In The Air Tonight’ – Phil Collins
According to ‘urban legend’ and the internet, the epic Phil Collins track ‘In The Air Tonight’ was one of the darkest pop anthems of all time. Apparently it was about watching another man drown and doing nothing to save him. Phil Collins saw this himself, and after the song was released, he invited that man to the show and sung it to him. The story spread like wildfire and Eminem even mentioned it in his hit “Stan,” with the lyrics “You know the song by Phil Collins, ‘In the Air of the Night’ (sic) about that guy who coulda saved that other guy from drownin’, but didn’t, then Phil saw it all, then at a show he found him?” In truth the song doesn’t really have a storyline, it was just Phil’s stream of consciousness and musings after his divorce. You couldn’t make this stuff up!
In The Air Tonight Phil Collins
‘American Girl’ – Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
“American Girl” will go down in history as one of the late, great Tom Petty’s most beloved tracks. The song was hailed as a rock classic, offering the perfect fusion of 1960s guitars with edgy 1970s punk . In fact, Tom closed every concert with it and for years, these fans misinterpreted it as a a girl who committed suicide by throwing herself from a tower block at the University of Florida. Nonetheless, Tom Petty clarified in his 2005 book that this was just an “Urban legend. It’s become a huge urban myth down in Florida”. The real story was that “I was living in an apartment where I was right by the freeway. And the cars would go by. And I remember thinking that that sounded like the ocean to me. That was my ocean. My Malibu. Where I heard the waves crash, but it was just the cars going by. I think that must have inspired the lyric.” Ok then!?
American Girl Tom Petty And The Heartbreakers
‘Every Breath You Take’ – The Police
We all know the legendary track by Police, “Every Breath You Take”. Well it was one of the biggest hits of the ’80s and is still going strong on wedding dance floors around the world. However, we hate to break it to all those loving couples, but despite the seemingly sweet lyrics, the song is about a dark, one-sided love story of obsession and stalking. Sting later said in an interview,“One couple told me, ‘Oh, we love that song; it was the main song played at our wedding!’ I thought, ‘Well, good luck.’” “He took the opportunity to clear up the misunderstood lyrics and added, “I think the song is very, very sinister and ugly, and people have actually misinterpreted it as being a gentle little love song, when it’s quite the opposite.”
Every Breath You Take The Police
‘Blackbird’ – The Beatles
The legendary song “Blackbird” was one of the most popular Beatles tracks of all time. However the meaning of the song also became a hotbed of discussion for years after its release. While on the surface, it’s easy to see why the song lyrics sound like a trademark Beatles’ love-song, Paul McCartney later cleared up the confusion. In interviews he said the song was inspired and written about the Civil Rights Movement, which was a hot topic in the US at the time.
Blackbird The Beatles
‘Semi-Charmed Life’ – Third Eye Blind
Third Eye Blind’s 1997 smash hit ‘Semi-Charmed Life’ seemed to have a sugar coated pop feel to it, especially with the catchy chorus of “doot doot doot, dootdodootdoot.” However, you may be surprised to learn that the track actually has a darker underbelly. Stephan Jenkins, the lead singer and songwriter explained how the song has a “bright and shiny on the surface, and then it just pulls you down in this lockjawed mess”. The reason for this is as the song is about the seductiveness of speed and crystal meth, and how it pulls you in. In fact it’s a “dirty, filthy song about snorting speed and getting blow jobs.” As for the title choice of the song, Jenkins explained how it “refers to a life that’s all propped up. You know, the beautiful people who lead bright and shiny lives that on the inside are all fu**** up.”
Semi Charmed Life Third Eye Blind
‘Born in the U.S.A.’ – Bruce Springsteen
As perhaps the most misunderstood American anthem of all time, Bruce Springsteen’s “Born in the U.S.A.” is actually loaded with hidden ironies and misconceptions. For 30 years we have seen Americans throw fit-pumps in the air to the explosive and catchy chorus. However Bruce Springsteen has attempted to clarify the meaning in various interviews and even brought out an acoustic version to make the biting lyrics hit home more. In fact, the track recounts the story of a young man’s experiences having to fight in the Vietnam War, and the evident psychological scars that he brought back home with him. Even so, I don’t think this would stop any American from throwing fist pumps in the air when the chorus comes on!
Born In The U.S.A. Bruce Springsteen
‘Total Eclipse of the Heart’ – Bonnie Tyler
Bonnie Tyler’s epic hit “Total Eclipse of the Heart” become one of the biggest power ballads of the 1990’s, inspiring a countless covers and samples. In 1995, the song was at the top of the charts for a whole year, and became her most successful hit to date. Still, fans may not have realized that it was less about human love, and more about vampire love. The song was originally written for Bonnie by her producer Jim Steinman, who was also working on a musical version of Nosferatu, dubbed “Vampires in Love.” The finished product was a little dark, but soon became one of the most powerful love ballads of all time.
Total Eclipse Of The Heart Bonnie Tyler
‘Love Song’ – Sara Bareilles
If you were around in 2007, you couldn’t really escape the catchy piano chords of Sara Bareilles’ chart-topping breakout single ‘Love Song’. It soon flooded the airwaves of every radio station and despite the title of ‘love song’, the lyrics seemed to be about how she wasn’t gonna write her lover ‘a love song…cause you asked for one’. Well in fact the song wasn’t about her lover at all, it later emerged that Sara wrote it in a in a fit of frustration against her record label who kept being critical of her songs. She later said in an interview how, “I started to get really insecure about it, and then I got really pissed off at myself for caring what anybody thought. “Love Song” was her way of saying to her label, “This is me, take it or leave it.” Well we’re glad they took it!
Love Song Sara Bareilles
‘London Calling’ – The Clash
When the British punk rock band, The Clash originally released, ‘London Calling’ it quickly evolved into an underground anthem for many people critical of the “system”, including politicians and world leaders. However, fans may not have realized that it was originally written for a very different reason, and was actually a response to the threat of global warming. Mick Jones later said that he was inspired after he saw a newspaper headline that there was a risk that the Thames river could overflow and flood London. Mick explained that when he saw the headline, he “flipped” and was more worried about the fear of drowning than about a political movement.
London Calling The Clash
‘Pink Houses’ – John Mellencamp
In the 1980’s, many Americans interpreted John Mellencamp’s “Pink Houses” as an uplifting and melodic patriotic tune. However, it later emerged that the track was actually a rebuke against the Reagan era of economics, with its “greed is good” culture. Many other American political parties have misinterpreted the lyrics too over the years, so we’re glad we now know the true meaning.
Pink Houses John Mellencamp
‘Higher’ – Creed
In 1999, Creed’s “Higher” became one of the band’s biggest hits and later became Creed’s signature song. While many happily sang along to the anthem, there was some debate over it’s true meaning. The song was released around post-grunge rock era, and while some believed the song was emblematic of a drug-induced high, others thought it was a song about Creed’s belief in Christianity. Well it was actually neither, and the lead singer Scott Stapp later explained the song centered around the concept of lucid dreaming. Well, we would have never have guessed!
Higher Creed
‘Buddy Holly’ – Weezer
When fans first listened to Weezer’s ‘Buddy Holly’, they might have easily assumed that it was about Buddy Holly. However it wasn’t about Buddy at all. If you listene closer to the lyrics like “You know I’m yours/and I know you’re mine/and that’s for all time,”, you might assume that it was a romantic love song. Nonetheless, the lead singer Rivers Cuomo cleared it all up for us. In fact it’s not about a romantic relationship, “It’s about a particular girl I knew; … it’s about my commitment to her, … my willingness to defend her. It’s very platonic. Not a romantic thing at all.” Ok buty we were still hoping it would turn into a love story…
Buddy Holly Weezer
‘Always’ – Bon Jovi
Another power ballad classic on the list is Bon Jovi’s 1994 hit single “Always”. After churning out love hits like “I’ll Be There for You” and “Bed of Roses, Bon Jovi began to get a reputation as a romantic baladeers. However, if you listen closer to the lyrics, the song actually has much darker underpinnings. Jon Bon Jovi later explained, “It’s a sick little twisted lyric. So many people feel it’s so romantic and so wonderful, but truthfully, this guy is practically a stalker. He’s a sick human being.”
Always Bon Jovi
‘God Is Dead’ -Black Sabbath
In 2013, when Black Sabbath released the bands comeback album ’13’, it featured the track “God Is Dead?”, which was a huge hit, but sparked a backlash of controversy. While people philosophized the lyrics and tried to understand if the lead singer Ozzy Osbourne and his pals were rejecting God, simply athiests or questioning the relevance of God in today’s society, Ozzy cleared it all up for us. He said “I was in a doctor’s office and there was a magazine in there with that line on the cover. I thought, ‘Yeah — people flew planes into the World Trade Center because of God, there’s all this **** going on in the world in the name of God.'” Geezer added, “Ozzy gave me that line, and I wrote the lyrics. I wanted to call the song ‘American Jihad’. Ozzy continued, “I’m the guy at the front singing it; I would have had a **** army after me . . . In the early days [of BLACK SABBATH], there was a lot of backlash from religious groups . . . I was sent letters written in blood. In my house I must have 25 **** Bibles, each with a marked-up passage that [the sender] wanted me to read.”
God Is Dead Black Sabbath
‘Mr. Tambourine Man’ – Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan’s 1965 classic hit “Mr. Tambourine Man” became another legendary anthem that is commonly misconstrued. The song was also famously covered by The Byrds and many fans interpreted it as a song about Dylan finding his musical muse through the use of drugs. However, oddly enough, this time it was actually about ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’. Who would have thought it! It was actually a fitting tribute to Bruce Langhorne, who played a Turkish drum similar to a tambourine in Dylan’s tours and recordings.
Mr. Tambourine Man Bob Dylan
‘Waterfalls’ – TLC
In 1995 TLC’s worldwide hit ‘Waterfalls’ quickly became one of the bands’ signature anthems. Many fans believed that the melodic ballad with inspiring lyrics was about not rushing into life or relationships, and slowing down and appreciating what you have. However, although this was partly true, the lyrics also touched on some other social issues that were pertinent in the 1990’s, such as AIDS and HIV.
Waterfalls TLC
‘Puff the Magic Dragon’ – Peter, Paul and Mary
When Peter, Paul and Mary’s released the 1963 hit “Puff the Magic Dragon”, fans were quick to conclude that it couldn’t be simply about a magic dragon, it must be about something deeper, like hallucinogenic drugs. Right? Well actually this wasn’t quite true. In fact the lyrics were inspired by a poem by Peter Yarrow, who was a friend of the band. The song was actually about a young child who did have an imaginary friend, Puff the Dragon, but then got too old to have an imaginary friend. Well who would have thought that some songs have no hidden meanings?!
Puff The Magic Dragon Peter Paul And Mary
‘Perfect Day’ – Lou Reed
The legendary ballad ‘Perfect Day’ by Lou Reed, quickly became an international hit, and it’s inspiring, upbeat melody, lyrics and chorus became the perfect anthem for appreciating the perfect day with your loved one. The song became an advertising dream, and was placed in several upbeat commercials over the years, from Sony’s Playstation 4 to AT&T’s cellular service. However, we don’t know how to break it to these commercial executives, but the track was less about the power of love and more about the feeling of being high after using narcotics.
Perfect Day Lou Reed
‘Like a Virgin’ – Madonna
While Madonna always loved breaking boundaries, causing controversy and sparking new conversations, she sent waves across the world when she released the song ‘Like a Virgin’. In the ’80s, the word ‘virgin’ was considered a racy word and she performed the song wearing in a racy wedding dress. Fans just assumed this was seemed to be an ode to a young woman who lost her virginity for the first time. The song was actually about written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. Steinberg later told the LA Times how it was how vulnerable he felt getting into a new relationship a “I wasn’t just trying to get that racy word virgin in a lyric. I was saying … that I may not really be a virgin — I’ve been battered romantically and emotionally like many people — but I’m starting a new relationship and it just feels so good, it’s healing all the wounds and making me feel like I’ve never done this before, because it’s so much deeper and more profound than anything I’ve ever felt.”
Like A Virgin Madonna
‘Harder to Breath’ – Maroon 5
When Maroon 5 released their debut album ‘Songs About Jane’, it quickly became a chart-topping hit. The album concept seemed to revolve around the lead singer Adam Levene’s ex-girlfriend, seemingly called Jane. Naturally fans assumed that the hit single “Harder to Breathe,” was also inspired by ‘Jane’. However, Levene later said it was actually inspired by the band’s record company who put pressure on them to finish the album. In an interview in 2002, he said, “That song comes sheerly from wanting to throw something. It was the 11th hour, and the label wanted more songs. It was the last crack. I was just pissed. I wanted to make a record and the label was applying a lot of pressure, but I’m glad they did.”
Harder To Breath Maroon 5
‘Summer of ’69’ – Bryan Adams
When Bryan Adams belted out the power ballad “Summer of ’69”, it quickly sent a powerful blast of nostalgia around the world, and many assumed it was about his own ‘coming-of-age’ experiences in the Summer of ’69. There was only a slight problem, Bryan Adams was actually 9 years old in 1969, so the chances of him singing about his own ‘coming of age’ teen experiences in 1969 are quite slim. While the song does allude to the experiences of Bryan Adams and his writing partner Jim Vallance, the year ’69’ was more a reference to the ’69’ sexual position.
Summer Of 69 Bryan Adams
‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ – Nirvana
When Nirvana released “Smells Like Teen Spirit” in 1991, it was widely hailed as an artistic masterpiece and inspired a generation of fans. The only issue is that none of these fans, nor Kurt Cobain himself seemed to have any clue what the song was really about. It later surfaced that a friend of the band, Kathleen Hanna, once wrote “Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit” on Kurt Cobain’s wall. Teen Spirit was actually the name of a deodorant brand, but Kurt thought the phrase was so catchy that he used it to craft “the ultimate pop song.” Some tried to interpret the meaning, like Michael Azerrad who wrote Nirvana’s biography, said that he intended to “describe what I felt about my surroundings and my generation and people my age.” He contradicted himself later, saying the song was “making fun of the thought of having a revolution.” However, the drummer who later became a Foo Fighters, Dave Grohl said the lyrics had no actual meaning!
Smells Like Teen Spirit Nirvana
‘Paper Planes’ – M.I.A.
M.I.A.’s 2008 hit “Paper Planes” quickly became a groundbreaking and edgy international hit. While many assumed the track was about a drug dealer, she later revealed the song was about immigrants in the US. She explained, “I was thinking about living [in Bed-Stuy], waking up every morning – it’s such an African neighborhood. I was going to get patties at my local and just thinking that really the worst thing that anyone can say [to someone these days] is some s*** like: ‘What I wanna do is come and get your money.’ People don’t really feel like immigrants or refugees contribute to culture in any way. That they’re just leeches that suck from whatever. So in the song I say ‘All I wanna do is [sound of gun shooting and reloading, cash register opening] and take your money.’ I did it in sound effects. It’s up to you how you want to interpret. America is so obsessed with money, I’m sure they’ll get it.”
Paper Planes M.I.A.
‘Ticket to Ride’ – The Beatles
Many fans assumed The Beatles’ catchy anthem “Ticket to Ride” was a simple story about a young woman with a ‘ticket to ride’ a train to see her boyfriend. However, John Lennon later cleared up any misconceptions about the song. In fact the song was actually a reference to German prostitutes in the 1960s who had a cards indicating a clean bill of health. Well we would never have guessed that!
Ticket To Ride The Beatles
‘Slide’ – Goo Goo Dolls
In 1998 the Goo Goo Dolls’ released their album Dizzy Up the Girl, and “Slide” was the first hit single, which helped catapult them into super-stardom. Whilst on the surface, it’s easy to think that the fast-paced track is a classic rock story about two teenagers finding love and standing up together against the world. Still the lead singer/songwriter Johnny Rzeznik cleared up what the song was really about on an episode of VH1 Storytellers. He explained how the song was really about “these two teenage kids, and the girlfriend gets pregnant and … they’re trying to decide whether she should get an abortion, or they should get married, or what should go on. …”
Slide Goo Goo Dolls
‘One’ – U2
In 1991 U2 released the legendary track “One”, and it fast became one of the band’s signature hits. Fans often identified with the track and believed it was an ode about togetherness, whether romantic, platonic, or fraternal. However, the lead singer Bono later revealed that the song was released at a time when the band was splintered and everyone was questioning the bands’ future. He later revealed that “There was melancholy about it, but there was also strength. ‘One’ is not about oneness, it’s about difference. It’s not the old hippie idea of ‘let’s all live together.’ It is a much more punk rock concept. It’s anti-romantic: ‘We are one but not the same. We get to carry each other.’ It’s a reminder that we have no choice. I’m still disappointed when people hear the chorus line as ‘got to’ rather than ‘we get to carry each other.’ Like it or not, the only way out of here is if I give you a leg up the wall and you pull me after you. There’s something very unromantic about that. The song is a bit twisted, which is why I could never figure out why people wanted it at their weddings. I have certainly met a hundred people who’ve had it at their weddings. I tell them, ‘Are you mad? It’s a song about splitting up.’”
One U2