Interesting Bits|

So you think you know your favorite song? Guess what — nope. You don’t. Meanings are way more misunderstood than lyrics. Because of this, you find songs that are used in situations not even close to what the artist intended. Lots of times, you think a song is about happy, good times — and it’s about drugs, which a lot of them are.

Here’s 15 tunes you’re completely misunderstanding.

15. Sarah McLachlan — “Angel”

You think it’s about either a long-distance relationship, or abused dogs.

It’s actually about Heroin.

It’s a song about the last days of Smashing Pumpkins tour keyboardist Jonathan Melvoin. Melvoin died of a heroin overdose in 1996, and McLachlan wrote “Angel” about him — not sick doggies.

14. Bruce Springsteen — “Born In The USA”

You think it’s about ‘Murica, stars, stripes, and down home love for the US of A!

It’s actually about a vet returning from Vietnam to a country that couldn’t care less about him. It talks of anger and frustration about giving so much to his country and getting the shaft in return.

Don’t feel bad. Even Ronald Reagan made that mistake, and the Boss was none too pleased.

13. The La’s — “There She Goes”

First of all, you probably thought this was a song by Sixpence None The Richer. It isn’t.

This jangle-pop classic is often thought to be about falling in love with a girl who doesn’t even know you.

It’s actually about Heroin.

Sorry, it’s about slamming horse. Listen to the lyrics really closely next time.

12. Smashing Pumpkins — “Today”

Is it about being happy to wake up and be alive? Is it an anthem of thankfulness? Reaching your goals?

Try Billy Corgan’s crippling depression.

“Today is the greatest day” is actually intensely sarcastic. Corgan wrote the song about being so depressed that each sunrise was torture. No wonder they hate playing it live to this day.

11. Green Day — “Good Riddance”

You probably think this song is called “Time Of Your Life.” Sorry about that.

Most people think it’s about looking back on great times with fond memories and being happy they’re your memories. High school graduation, the last episode of Seinfeld, fill in the blank.

The end of an abusive relationship.

It’s about finally ending a toxic and destructive relationship and sarcastically hoping they’re happy with all the damage they did to you. Hence the title you didn’t know it had. Sorry, every high school graduating senior in the last 15 years.

10. Blind Melon — “No Rain”

You think it’s about dancing in a field or something — while dressed up like a bee.

Singer Shannon Hoon’s girlfriend dealing with clinical depression and social anxiety.

You can still dress up like a bee if you’d like, though. Nobody’s stopping you.

9. Phil Collins — “In The Air Tonight”

We have all heard the story: Phil and his buddy were drinking by the lake, buddy falls in, Phil’s too drunk to save him, nearby farmer won’t save him, friend drowns. Later, Phil invites the farmer to his concert, sings the song to him, farmer kills himself.

Sorry, but it’s about his divorce.

Even Phil thinks that story is baloney — but admits it’s pretty imaginative.

8. Iggy and The Stooges — “Lust For Life”

Most people actually have no idea what it’s about. But since it’s boppy, peppy, and says the words ‘lust for life”, they assume it’s about being awesome.

Heroin.

Seriously, are you not sensing a theme here? You’d be amazed how many songs are about heroin. Most of them, really.

7. Kiss — “Detroit Rock City”

Do you think it’s about leaving your seat? Moving your feet? Losing your mind in De-troit … rock city?

A kid who wrapped himself around a phone pole driving drunk and stoned trying to get to a Kiss show.

No, seriously.

6. The Beatles — “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”

Really? You have to be told this?

Lucy? Sky? Diamonds? It’s about dropping acid! How can it not be?

Sorry, no LSD here.

It’s about a picture John Lennon’s kid drew. True story. Even Paul McCartney said the Beatles had a ton of songs about drugs, but this wasn’t one of them. Lennon himself said it was a great story and he wished he’d thought of that.

5. Beck — “Loser”

You maybe think it’s about being a loser? Going insane? Being drunk?

Is it about heroin?

Literally nothing.

It’s about absolutely nothing. Beck had a wager with his producer that he couldn’t write a song of complete nonsense and gibberish and have it be a hit. Well played, Beck. Well played

4. Third Eye Blind — “Semi-Charmed Life”

You probably never stopped to think what this song was about. You were probably busy using it as the backdrop to the BEST SUMMER EVER!!!!

Heroin.

And meth, and coke, and pretty much drug addiction in general. Also about being a total failure at life while going on a drug binge with a girlfriend.

Best summer … ever?

3. Peter, Paul, and Mary — “Puff The Magic Dragon”

Weed, right? It’s about weed.

You’d think all the 1960’s songs would be drugs, right?

It’s about kids growing up, losing their childish wonder and innocence, and becoming adults — leaving fantasy behind.

Paul and Mary asked repeatedly to stop spreading the weed story. Peter’s cool with it.

2. Eddy Grant — “Electric Avenue”

Take a moment to open Spotify and listen to this song, because we all know you want to.

It’s about either rocking down to Electric Avenue, and/or taking it higher.

In 1981, there was a massive riot in England called the Brixton Riot. Brixton was in bad shape and most residents were scary poor and starving. The residents had enough, rose up in arms and stuff got real.

Then Eddy Grant wrote an awesome song about it.

1. Hanson — “Mmmbop”

You think it’s about being young, blonde, clear skinned, playing instruments, and making everyone in America listen to your idiotic song over and over until they blow their brains out.

People you love leaving you and being alone.

If you can stomach it, go back and listen to the lyrics. C’mon, just try. It’s about having people you love dearly, and then they just up and die on you or flat out leave you alone.

Buzzkill.

http://www.rantbeats.com/2014/09/19/15-songs-with-meanings-you-were-totally-wrong-about/

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