Top 50 Song Meanings That Everyone Gets WRONG

#50: “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince” (2019)

Taylor Swift

Although Taylor Swift is not likely to run out of inspiration any time soon when it comes to masterfully crafting songs about love, this entry into her catalogue isn’t one of them. Or at least, that’s not all it is. “Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince” could be interpreted as a love song, but the more interesting meaning behind it is that it’s a dive into her own political awakening. Experiences in Swift’s personal life led her to become a bit more outspoken and the shifting political climate in the United States helped in compelling her to express herself more directly.

#49: “B.Y.O.B” (2005)

System of a Down

People were very prepared to jump to the obvious conclusion when System of a Down put out a song called “B.Y.O.B”. Surely, Serj Tankian was telling people to ‘bring your own beer’, right? Well, the overtly political nature of some of the band’s earlier work wasn’t enough to make this one obvious enough it seemed. The track is in fact titled “Bring Your Own Bombs” and is pretty clearly a protest song directed at the U.S. government’s war with Iraq. The song went on to become a pretty big commercial success for the band, becoming their only Billboard top-40 hit, peaking at number 27.

#48: “White Lightning” (1992)

Def Leppard

Def Leppard are one of those bands that have more than a few songs about the party-heavy lifestyle of rock and roll. However, for as much as “White Lightning” has been misinterpreted as just another generic rock song, the track is actually dedicated to their guitarist Steve Clark. Just one year prior to its release, Clark passed away from a lethal mix of alcohol and prescription drugs, leaving a huge void in the band. The song’s title is a reference to Clark’s nickname and according to the band, is littered with a range of in-jokes at his expense, something they are certain he would have enjoyed.

#47: “Martha My Dear” (1968)

The Beatles

The Beatles were responsible for some of the biggest lyrical headscratchers of all-time. “Martha, My Dear” from the White Album is the type of song that could’ve very easily been about one of Paul McCartney’s exes, but as it turns out, it’s not even about a human. The song is quite literally about McCartney’s Old English Sheepdog, Martha. If you ever thought that there weren’t enough love songs about dogs, well thankfully, the Beatles have got you covered.

#46: “MMMBop” (1997)

Hanson

Surely, the Hanson teen-bop classic “MMMBop” is pretty confidently understood by now? Although we’re not going to try and claim that the song is filled with scathing political commentary or philosophical messages, it’s not as senseless as some people think. “MMMBop” is actually a pretty poignant song about the passage of time and how fleeting things can be. Life moves fast, and for Hanson, understanding how people come and go is essential in the pursuit of peace. Sure, the iconic chorus is literally gibberish, but if you don’t pay attention to the verses, you might just miss a neatly-packaged message.

#45: “Swimming Pools (Drank)” (2012)

Kendrick Lamar

There’s no shortage of songs in the mainstream market that are geared towards celebrating the high life - the joys of money, liquor, and excess in all forms. However, Kendrick Lamar was not trying to do this with “Swimming Pools”, no matter how much it may seem so. The song might sound like it’s glamorising a certain lifestyle, but the lyrics are very obviously a warning about the disastrous effects of alcohol dependency. Kendrick reflects on his own life, as well as his family history, and how it all affected his own relationship with alcohol. It’s the type of song that really takes on a whole different meaning upon closer inspection.

#44: “King of Anything” (2010)

Sara Bareilles

Self-empowerment anthems are as common as can be, but if you thought that “King of Anything” by Sara Bareilles was just one more example, think again. The song might be masquerading as a generic tune about self-confidence, but in reality, Bareilles crafted something a lot more interesting. She uses the track as a clapback against a particular person who was offering her a whole load of unsolicited advice. In other words, this person was getting a little too big for their boots, thinking they could offer insight into someone else’s life in a way that Bareilles saw as patronising. All in all, “King of Anything” is one hell of a response.

#43: “Hook” (1995)

Blues Traveler

There are probably many listeners who know the song “Hook” by Blues Traveler quite well without actually understanding its lyrics or overall intention. The song isn’t the straightforward, formulaic pop song it claims to be. Instead, it’s a cutting satire of the entire idea of pop music and how shallow it can be. Even the title alludes to the fact that the track is about to dive into the idea of ‘hooks’ in music. Blues Traveler succeeded in crafting a memorable pop song nonetheless, but the fact that they did it by taking aim at memorable pop song structure is pretty hilarious.

#42: “Crash into Me” (1996)

Dave Matthews Band

The song “Crash into Me” by the Dave Matthews Band doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to its subject matter. It’s openly romantic and even a little risque from time to time, detailing some pretty intense passion and longing. On first listen, it might seem like the track is about a normal relationship, but as you continue to listen, things become a little clearer. The song actually details a stalker who is infatuated with a woman, watching her from afar without her knowledge. This knowledge recontextualises the song pretty heavily, making it a much less charming release from Dave Matthews and co.

#41: “Wolves” (2017)

Selena Gomez & Marshmello

When Selena Gomez revealed to the world that she was battling lupus, the track “Wolves” was seen by many as her first major artistic statement on the topic. ‘Lupus’, after all, translates to ‘wolves’ in Latin. However, the song isn’t just a cut-and-dry take on her illness, the lyrics dive into a range of different subjects. Romance and her health are indeed at the core of it all, but to try and narrow the song down to those two topics would be ignoring the bigger picture. Selena doesn’t confine herself to one area of her life here, and the song resonates even more as a result.

#40: “The A Team” (2011)

Ed Sheeran

When Ed Sheeran burst onto the scene, he was an instant success. Not only did he have the hooks and melodies needed to crack the top of the charts, but to say his lyrics delivered would be an understatement. “The A Team” was one of the first major standouts in his repertoire, but a surprising number of people don’t actually know what it’s about. No, the song isn’t about B.A. Baracus and those lovable soldiers of fortune. Instead, it deals with an unhoused woman with a substance use problem. Pretty heavy subject matter for such a mainstream success.

#39: “Feel It Still” (2017)

Portugal. The Man

Portugal. The Man had been around the music business for quite a long time before they eventually scored their biggest hit “Feel It Still” in 2017. Considering that the song is so breezy and easy to listen to, you’d be forgiven for assuming that it’s not any deeper than that. The lyrics go quite a lot deeper though, dealing with themes of social unrest, rebellion, and anxiety over being a parent to a daughter who will inherit a fractured world. On the surface, the words could’ve very easily been placeholders, but the band succeeded in imbuing the track with some serious depth.

#38: “Bullet” (2011)

Hollywood Undead

Hollywood Undead’s track “Bullet” is a classic example of why it’s always important to read a little deeper into the lyrics. To a casual listener, the song seems to be quite cheerful and upbeat, the perfect soundtrack for a summer evening. However, once you actually begin to take note of what the lyrics are referring to, it does a total u-turn. Not only does this track deal with incredibly heavy subject matter in a very honest manner, but it also intentionally throws its audience for a loop from its opening bars onwards. That said, the protagonist’s struggle with depression and self-harm comes through quite vividly in the lyrics.

#37: “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35” (1966)

Bob Dylan

Any song that repeated the refrain “everybody must get stoned” and came out in the mid-60s was going to come under some serious scrutiny. While it must have been easy to pigeonhole the opening track to Bob Dylan’s “Blonde on Blonde” as little more than an attempt to provoke the censors, that’s not quite accurate. The idea of being ‘stoned’ is taken more from the very public death sentence act of ‘stoning’ rather than anything you might inhale. Dylan is speaking about widespread condemnation and criticism, and when you consider how much of that he had experienced after going electric, it makes total sense. As for the double meaning? We’re sure he enjoyed the outrage a lot.

#36: “I Don't Like Mondays” (1979)

The Boomtown Rats

A song with a title as forthcoming as “I Don’t Like Mondays” shouldn’t really require a closer look. The track certainly could be interpreted as a cheeky and juvenile distaste for school or professional life. However, Bob Geldof later revealed that the song was directly inspired by the shooting spree carried out by Brenda Ann Spencer in 1979. The young girl opened fire on a school playground, killing two adults and injuring eight minors. In a truly cold and remorseless statement to the public, she explained her actions by saying, “I don't like Mondays, this livens up the day”. In this context, the song makes a whole lot more sense.

#35: “Total Eclipse of the Heart” (1983)

Bonnie Tyler

Chances are, if you’ve heard “Total Eclipse of the Heart” before, you have a pretty solid grasp about the song’s subject matter and themes. It’s not exactly trying to hide what it’s about. Oh, except for the fact that it’s actually about vampires, not mortal humans. In fact, the track’s original title was “Vampires in Love” and it was intended for a musical version of “Nosferatu” that writer Jim Steinman was working on. Thankfully, the song got a mainstream coat of paint and was given to Bonnie Tyler with a new title, allowing it to become the chart-topping success we all know and love.

#34: “Rock the Casbah” (1982)

The Clash

By 1982, the Clash were spreading their wings a bit more with their musical output. Elements of new wave and ska had found their way into their music, and their single “Rock the Casbah” was one of the finest examples. Sure, it sounds like an exotic party-song on its surface, but Joe Strummer’s lyrics reveal quite a lot more. The track actually focuses on the banning of music by a tyrannical king or lord, and was in some ways inspired by the outlawing of Western music and media in Iran, a ban that continued well into the 21st century. In the end, the king decides to order his jet pilots to bomb a group of protestors, but they reject his order and join them instead.

#33: “American Pie” (1971)

Don McLean

“American Pie” is the type of musical epic that can and should be interpreted in many different ways. While Don McLean himself has been notoriously tight-lipped about the song’s meanings, a lot of people just let the song’s lyrics wash over them. The track, of course, makes reference to the infamous “day the music died”, a name for the plane-crash that killed ‘50s icons Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and the Big Bopper. Besides that, however, there are a whole bunch of other characters, images, and symbols that fans have spent decades trying to decipher. This is by no means a work of rambling lyrical gibberish.

#32: “S&M” (2011)

Rihanna

The title alone was enough to give the fans and critics some idea of what Rihanna was singing about when she released “S&M”. In fact, it was such a bold and direct statement, that, for many people, there was no reason to dig any deeper. However, the song isn’t actually about the kinky activities it describes, or at least it’s not entirely about them. A closer look will tell you that Rihanna was actually singing about her own self-empowerment, in spite of criticism and speculation from the media. In its own way, the track represents a way for Rihanna to gain some control over her own narrative. In that sense, she certainly succeeded.

#31: “I Will Always Love You” (1974)

Dolly Parton

Dolly Parton truly struck gold when she managed to craft one of the most succinct and heartfelt love songs of all-time. However, just because the song can be interpreted as a very straightforward statement to a lover, it doesn’t mean that Dolly wrote it as one. She instead crafted it to mark the professional separation between her and her musical partner Porter Wagoner. The two had a very successful but seemingly platonic seven-year relationship, never veering into romantic territory. When Whitney Houston recorded the song in 1992, she gave it a new meaning, and probably a meaning that falls a lot closer to what people imagine the song to be about.

#30: “Drops of Jupiter” (2001)

Train

The lyrics throughout “Drops of Jupiter” talk about two people being separated from each other, with the lead singer, Pat Monahan, asking about how the other person’s time has been since they left. With that being said it isn’t a big surprise that many people interpret the song to be about the breakup of a romantic relationship. However, rather than a romantic partner, Monahan wrote this song about an even more powerful loss in his life: the loss of his mother, who had succumbed to cancer. Once you know that, it seems obvious given the lyrics about heaven, the universe and the beautiful opening line, “Now that she's back in the atmosphere.”

#29: “Slide” (1998)

Goo Goo Dolls

The common interpretation of “Slide” by the Goo Goo Dolls is that the track is a love song. And in a way it is… but not in the way most of us assume. With lines like “I wanna wake up where you are” and “what you are is beautiful” the couple in the song are definitely in love. However, the crux of the song, the big plot line that gets overlooked by most of us, is the fact that the girl in the song comes from a very strict religious family and….. she’s pregnant! When John Rzeznik sings “Do you wanna get married/Or run away?”, he’s referring to the limited options they think they have.

#28: “The One I Love” (1987)

R.E.M.

The song is called “The One I Love”. How can this one not be a love song right? And in 1987, Michael Stipe told Rolling Stone that “It's probably better that they just think it's a love song at this point.” However, while the song is relatively light on lyrics, most of them are anything but loving. In reference to the titular “one I love” Stipe refers to “A simple prop to occupy my time”. As he said in a different interview at the time, “It's very clear that it’s about using people over and over again.” So, basically, you might wanna think twice before you add this to your Spotify “Romantic” playlist.

#27: “Puff the Magic Dragon” (1963)

Peter, Paul, and Mary

We know what you’re thinking. Come on WatchMojo, we all know that this song isn’t about a dragon, but is actually about herbal enjoyment. Well, allow us to take this moment to blow your minds, because “Puff, the Magic Dragon” is actually about… a dragon! In 1959 Leonard Lipton wrote a poem about a dragon. A couple years later Peter Yarrow - the “Peter” in Peter, Paul and Mary - found the poem and wrote his song based on said poem. Both Lipton and Yarrow have repeatedly said that “Puff, the Magic Dragon” is not about anything more than that.

#26: “A Horse With No Name” (1971)

America

The misinterpretation of “A Horse with No Name” being about illicit substances started pretty immediately after the song’s release back in the early ‘70s. And it would seem that it comes primarily from the fact that “horse” is a common slang term. If the band had anticipated that would happen, maybe they would’ve stuck with the song’s original title, “Desert Song”. And why was that the original title? Because the song is indeed actually about the desert. With a Salvador Dalí desert painting and an M.C. Escher horse as inspiration - if the song is a metaphor for anything it’s, as songwriter Dewey Bunnell put it, “a vehicle to get away from life's confusion into a quiet, peaceful place.” But not with substances.

#25: “There She Goes” (1988)

The La’s

With lyrics referencing the “she” in the song’s title as “Racing through my brain,” “Pulsing through my vein,” and “No one else could heal my pain,” - it’s no surprise many have interpreted this song to be about struggles with substance use. And given the reputation of the prime mover of the La’s, Lee Mavers, all the pieces seem to fit together perfectly. And that assumption was incredibly widespread when the song became a hit. But here’s the thing: Mavers and other members of the band have consistently denied that the song has anything to do with that, nor does Mavers’ personal history at the time of its recording. So we’ll take him at this word.

#24: “Mr. Tambourine Man” (1965)

Bob Dylan

Do we sense a theme? There’s an assumption by many that most every song released in the 1960s was about illicit substances.. And sure, many are - and yes, “Mr. Tambourine Man” does have lyrics like, “Take me on a trip upon your magic swirling ship.” But no - contrary to popular opinion - this Bob Dylan song isn’t. In fact, the song’s inspiration literally came from a man playing a tambourine. The man in question is folk musician Bruce Langhorne who played on a number of Dylan tracks. Well, one day Langhorne came in with a tambourine that Dylan described as “this gigantic tambourine, big as a wagon wheel.” This was the seed that eventually grew into “Mr. Tambourine Man.”

#23: “Semi-Charmed Life” (1997)

Third Eye Blind

This one goes the other way, with its actual meaning much darker that what is commonly assumed. Given the song’s upbeat vibe and status as, as Rolling Stone called it, “one of the most relentlessly sunshine-y songs of the Nineties,” you’d be forgiven for not realizing “Semi-Charmed Life” is about struggles with substance use. You’d also be forgiven for missing the not-so-hidden meaning, had you only heard the edited version that most radio stations pounded into our eardrums back in 1997, since a line that was very specific in its detail was cut for airplay.

#22: “Alive” (1991)

Pearl Jam

While it would make sense for a song called “Alive” to be a celebration of life - that isn’t what Eddie Vedder had in mind when he wrote the lyrics. Rather than a celebration, “Alive” is a tale about a boy who finds out his dad isn’t his biological father. And then it gets much, much darker from there. Vedder used to think the misperception of the song’s meaning, and the refrain “I’m still alive” was - in his own words, “a curse.” But he has since talked about how the audience's reaction to the song over the years “...lifted the curse. The audience changed the meaning for me.”

#21: “Hotel California” (1977)

The Eagles

Don’t feel bad if you don’t fully understand the true meaning of the Eagles’ “Hotel California” because - well, we’re not sure the Eagles know it either. Lead singer Don Henley has even been quoted as saying that the song “can have a million interpretations.” What we do know is that it isn't really about a hotel. Duh. Instead, the hotel in question and the experiences therein are metaphors. But metaphors for what, exactly, range from - to quote Henley - “high life in Los Angeles” to “the music business” to “the dark underbelly of the American dream.” Yeah, that’s a lot of ground.

#20: “Poker Face” (2008)

Lady Gaga

With lyrics like “bluffin with my muffin,” “Poker Face” is obviously an x-rated track right? That’s also pretty much how Lady Gaga described it to Rolling Stone in 2009, but maybe she wanted to keep the personal backstory to this song a secret for a little while. On the surface, it’s also clear that “can’t read my poker face” could refer to the early moments of any romantic encounter, when you’re trying to suss out what your potential suitor is thinking. But aside from that, it’s actually a song that deals with Lady Gaga’s personal experiences with bisexuality. She found herself fantasizing about a woman while getting intimate with a man, requiring her to mask her true feelings. Or wear a poker face, as it were.

#19: “Possession” (1993)

Sarah McLachlan

If you’re under the impression that Possession is a love song, we’re sorry in advance. Lines like “I’ll take your breath away,” make it easy to see why people might take it that way but look closer, and you’ll notice some pretty creepy sentiments. McLachlan was inspired to make this song by two fans that created a fantasy relationship with her; sending love letters on a regular basis. One even went on to sue McLachlan for songwriting credit, but took their own life before the case went to trial. “Possession” is still one of Sarah’s finest songs, but you may want to think twice before playing it on a first date.

#18: “Hey Man, Nice Shot” (1995)

Filter

Moving on to a far darker topic, “Hey Man, Nice Shot” debuted just one year after the world was shocked by the sudden death of Kurt Cobain. Given its timing, many assumed “Hey Man, Nice Shot” was about this event. In reality, it was inspired by R. Budd Dwyer, a former Pennsylvania State Treasurer, who took his own life on the air in 1987. This was in response to an indictment on Dwyer for bribery despite his claims of being framed. Lines referencing those who were right there after the smoke has gone highlights the public nature of Dwyer’s death, which differs from Cobain, who died all alone. This misinterpretation is due largely to poor timing, and misdirected controversy upon its release.

#17: “Closing Time” (1998)

Semisonic

This one seems pretty straightforward- “finish your whiskey or beer!” Clearly Semisonic is relaying the sense of loneliness experienced when the warmth of booze and friends fades away at the end of a night out. However, lead singer Dan Wilson explained that the song is actually a metaphor for childbirth. With his first child on the way, Wilson used the song as a way to express his emotions during a transformative time in his life. Upon learning this, the song’s sad, existential message transforms into one of hope for new beginnings in a person’s life after experiencing the joys and challenges of parenthood.

#16: “Imagine” (1971)

John Lennon

Rolling Stone hailed this song as “faith in the power of a world, united in purpose, to repair and change itself.” These sentiments, along with its hopeful sound, complete with chirping birds have made this song a wholesome classic. Except for the fact that even John Lennon admitted that it’s virtually the Communist Manifesto. Upon closer analysis you’ll find remarks about a world with no possessions, no countries, and no religion. Preaching anti-capitalism and anti-religion doesn’t get much sneakier than this, especially considering the fact that it was released in the early 70s, during the peak of the Vietnam War.

#15: “Fire and Rain” (1970)

James Taylor

Taylor’s career defining masterpiece hits all the right notes needed to reach the upper echelons of folk rock success. It may come as a surprise however, that it’s not actually about his girlfriend dying in a plane crash. Each verse tells the story of a low point in Taylor’s life, spanning from the death of a friend, to substance use disorder, and finally the failing of his much-loved band, Flying Machines. Unlike some on our list, this revelation doesn’t change the essence of the song and it’s still the perfect track to put on next time you’re feeling down and out.

#14: “Ironic” (1995)

Alanis Morisette

Events and statements that are deliberately opposite of what one may expect are considered ironic. What takes place in Alanis Morissette’s song can be more appropriately categorized as tragic. Winning the lottery and dying the next day, being pardoned from death row two minutes too late, and discovering your dream man is already married are all tragic events, leaving listeners confused why a song named Ironic contains no real irony. Stay with us here, but the lack of irony in a song named for irony, is in fact, ironic. Confused? Think it over a bit, it’s actually quite clever.

#13: “Blackbird” (1968)

The Beatles

Written by Paul McCartney and featuring background vocals from an actual blackbird, it's easy to think this is just a song about blackbirds. Paul has since made it clear that Blackbird is actually a metaphor written in response to high racial tensions during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. The Blackbird’s attempt to take his broken wings and learn to fly is meant to symbolize the struggle of African Americans to come together and heal amidst severe racial discrimination. This isn’t the first time that the Beatles have laced their songs with multiple meanings nor the first time they’ve touched heavily on social issues.

#12: “Hallelujah” (1984)

Leonard Cohen

“Hallelujah’ is overflowing with religious references from King David to Samson. Despite the divine nature of the song, the oft-repeated hallelujah is not intended to express worship, but rather deep pain from a man who has experienced love turned sour. Each hallelujah is spoken a little more tongue in cheek with tragic love stories such as David’s romantic encounter with Bathsheba interwoven throughout. There’s a reason this song remains so relevant today, as it embodies the sensation of great sorrow so profoundly, despite lyrics suggesting adoration and exaltation upon first impression.

#11: “Wake Me Up When September Ends” (2005)

Green Day

One of Green Day’s most vulnerable pieces of work, there’s no question that this hit rocked its listeners to the core upon release. The music video’s depiction of war along with American Idiot’s central theme of George W. Bush era American life, may lead listeners to believe that this song references the 9/11 terror attacks in New York. However, singer Billie Joe Armstrong has gone on to state that the song’s intent was actually to express a much more personal loss, that of his father who died when Billie was only ten years old.

#10: “American Girl” (1977)

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

Proximity to tragedy has a strange way of skewing a song’s meaning, as exemplified once again in Tom Petty’s “American Girl.” A young woman from the University of Florida took her own life shortly before the song’s release, which incidentally took place close to Gainesville, where Tom Petty was born. The line about a girl standing alone on her balcony is merely a coincidence, with Petty’s inspiration coming from the sounds of the freeway near his apartment. Unfortunately for urban legend devotees, Tom made it clear that “American Girl” is a love song with no intentional references to the tragic event.

#9: “More Than Words” (1991)

Extreme

Ever say something with good intentions that gets taken completely out of context? Well you have plenty in common with this band then. This 1991 hit is widely interpreted as a beckoning for sex because saying I love you to your significant other just isn’t enough. Extreme’s guitarist Nuno Bettencourt has gone on record saying that the song was intended to explore how the phrase “I love you” was becoming meaningless in relationships and perhaps it would be more evocative to express love in more creative ways. Clearly our minds were in the gutter on this one.

#8: “Ticket to Ride” (1965)

The Beatles

The Beatles are a British treasure from a simpler time. Back then, songs didn’t need to be laced with dirty messages to grab the public’s attention. With the exception of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” which is incorrectly believed to describe a psychedelic experience, their songs appear squeaky clean most of the time. “Ticket to Ride,” though, which tells the story of a girl who has decided to leave her lover, actually has a surprisingly dirty meaning, according to John Lennon. He originally coined the phrase in reference to sex workers that authorities have noted are clean. Old John Lennon sure knows how to cover up a message the public’s not ready for.

#7: “Harder to Breathe” (2002)

Maroon 5

Maroon 5’s debut album, Songs about Jane, focused much of its efforts on expressing the inner-turmoil of Adam Levine after a tough breakup with, well, Jane... It stands to reason that the album’s first track would make this message crystal clear. At first glance, the lyrics appear to describe the feelings of loneliness and suffocation of a breakup, but Adam has since declared that Harder to Breathe is actually about the band’s label demanding more music late into production. It may have been intended initially as a screw you to the band’s label, but we can guess the animosity faded when the royalties came in.

#6: “Summer of ‘69” (1985)

Bryan Adams

We all know that guy in high school who couldn’t go without making a low hanging sexual joke any time someone mentioned the number 69. It turns out that Bryan Adams’ nostalgic rock classic was never reminiscent of that final summer of the 1960s, as Adams would have only been 10 at the time. Bryan has gone on to admit that the musical experiences are merely filler, and the intended meaning is to detail a summer full of lots and lots of sex. It turns out this time around, immature high school guy was right, and the most obvious of innuendos slipped right under our noses.

#5: “In The Air Tonight” (1981)

Phil Collins

Allegedly, Phil Collins wrote this song after witnessing someone drown while another man refused to help. While this would certainly add layers to Collin’s character, it begs several questions. Namely, if Collins saw this all happen, why couldn’t he just jump in and save his friend? It turns out that he was actually expressing his emotions during a devastating divorce. He intended to vent his sporadic anger toward the situation without really giving the song an exact direction. It’s now considered one of the greatest songs of all time, and likely one of the few examples of divorce leading to a financial gain.

#4: “Like A Virgin” (1984)

Madonna

If the guys in Reservoir Dogs are any indication as to public perception of this song, it’s safe to say most people think it’s about, well, sex. But Madonna cleared this up in the most remarkable fashion, sending director Quentin Tarantino an autograph explaining that the song is “about love”. Written by songwriter Billy Steinberg, it compares the feeling of emotional destruction after a relationship with the shiny new feeling of falling in love again. At this point we’re at a loss whether our minds are in the gutter, or we’re painfully naïve. Either way, the double meaning of the song has surely helped it become one of her biggest hits ever.

#3: “Every Breath You Take” (1983)

The Police

With seemingly loving lyrics and a catchy guitar hook, this song sounds like it belongs at a wedding reception or a school dance. However, the song is actually about a stalker, and the lyrics make no mistakes about this. They actually say the words “every bond you break, I’ll be watching you” and that’s not even the creepy bit. and that’s not even the creepy bit. It’s best not to analyze this one too much. The focal image of the music video is a window washer while the girl in question never once even makes an appearance. What may have started as a pleasant toe-tapper kinda makes you wanna take a shower when you realize what it’s all about.

#2: “Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)” (1997)

Green Day

This song has a message that is mind-bogglingly obvious, but largely ignored nonetheless. The expression ‘good riddance’ suggests relief at being liberated from a troublesome person or event, yet the song is heavily associated with nostalgia and high regards for time passed. This is perhaps due to the rich, beautiful melody which masks Billie Joe Armstrong’s intended message of “screw you” to his then-girlfriend who left him to travel to Ecuador. With this in mind, its continual placement in graduation slideshows, weddings, and funerals becomes a little weird. We’re sure Armstrong is perfectly fine with that.

#1: “Born in the USA” (1984)

Bruce Springsteen

This essential 4th of July power ballad likely conjures up images of fireworks, American flags and freedom. It’s truly an iconic song of patriotism … until you realize that Bruce Springsteen basically spends the entire song criticizing America with respect to how working-class veterans of the Vietnam War were treated. Starting out, the song recounts the story of a man born dirt poor and constantly in trouble. He then goes off to war, and things just get worse from there. All the while, the ever-popular chorus is repeated again and again. It’s hard to believe that this song is played right next to the likes of God Bless the U.S.A when its message couldn’t be any different.

What totally misunderstood song springs to your mind? Let us know in the comments!