Some lyrics have a different meaning than originally assumed.Image: trapezoid
There's a pop music that everyone probably knows, but its actual meaning is often misunderstood.
November 3, 2024 12:22November 3, 2024 12:23
Who doesn't know? You listen to your favorite song and sing along at the top of your lungs. However, the text is usually secondary. With English titles, many people don't even understand the content, but this knowledge will be an advantage when singing along to certain songs, as the lyrics describe something completely different than the upbeat music might suggest. The lyrics of many songs also contain ambiguity.
We've listed some songs that you're sure to see with different eyes (or hear with different ears) in the future.
“Let's go to the beach”
Vamos a la playa, which means “Let's go to the beach” in Spanish, is a song written in 1983 by Righeira. The song has a summery rhythm and is part of the Italo Disco genre popular in the 1980s. The title alone creates a festive atmosphere. The music then does the rest, transporting you to a Caribbean beach with a cocktail in hand. But “bombshell atmosphere” refers to something else.
The song's lyrics discuss the effects of environmental pollution in the Mediterranean and the consequences of nuclear war during the Cold War. There's even a nuclear bomb going off in the song.
The lyrics may be an allusion to the 1966 Palomares nuclear accident. There, a U.S. plane carrying nuclear weapons crashed near Palomares, Spain. The atomic bomb caused serious pollution to the surrounding environment, which continues to this day.
“Summer of '69”
The song “Summer of '69”, released in 1984, was written by Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams. In the song, the first-person narrator relives memories of his youth, when he bought his first guitar, started a band, and fell in love with a woman. The title of the piece immediately recalls 1969. However, the fact that Bryan Adams was only 9 years old at the time belies this argument.
In 2001, the singer dispelled the rumors. “69” does not represent the year at all, but represents the sexual position. There is a text that mentions this. The song ends with: “Me and my baby in car 69.”
According to Bryan Adams, “69” refers to the sexual position.Image: trapezoid
However, co-author Jim Vallance disagrees. He really aimed this song at 1969. The text “Jimmy quits/Jody gets married” refers to his two former bandmates.
It's unclear what the truth is. But that doesn't take away from the sound of the song.
“Who Let the Dog Out”
Who Let the Dogs Out is a song written by the Baha Men in 2000 and is a cover of the Anslem Douglas song “Doggie”. When you hear this name, the first thing you may think of is a dog. “Who” was also barked several times in a row.
Yet this seemingly banal text has a feminist background. Anslem Douglas told The Huffington Post that the song is about men catcalling. Therefore, men sexually harass women by making inappropriate remarks and whistling at them.
“It's a misogynistic song.”
Anslem Douglas
Anslem's brother-in-law brings this idea into the text as he often uses the phrase “who let the dogs loose” to describe these disrespectful people.
“Like a Prayer”
“Like a Prayer” is a song written by Madonna in 1989. The song's title means “like a prayer” in German, but it's not as innocent as it seems. But with Madonna as translator, that's not surprising since she likes to play provocative.
Madonna likes to be provocative, and she succeeds at it.Image: trapezoid
The song contains ambiguous lines about religion and sex, leading to varying interpretations. According to Madonna, the song is about a young girl who loves God so much that she sees Him as her partner. At one point it reads: “When you call my name, it's like a little prayer. I kneel down. I want to take you there. At midnight, I feel your power, like a prayer.” ” One could interpret this passage as a description of sexual behavior.
The music video is also generating buzz. It touches on topics such as racism and, according to critics, displays blasphemy. The video shows the murder of a black man. Madonna also walked scantily clad through a church, standing in her underwear among burning crosses that may have been associated with the Ku Klux Klan.
“Macarina”
Spanish music duo Los del Rio released “Macarena” in 1993. If you don't speak Spanish, you might think of this song as a party song. The “Macarena” dance has become famous.
The title “Macarena” is on the one hand a name for the origin of women in the Macarena district of Seville, and on the other hand it is also a name for beautiful women.
The song was originally about a cheerful woman who dreamed of living in New York and preferred a less patriotic boyfriend. The pledge of allegiance is an element in the song. The text tells the story of a woman's rebellion against a conservative male world.
However, the subsequent successful “Bayside Boys Remix” only used the chorus. In the verses, the woman in the song is portrayed as immoral. The protagonist cheats on her boyfriend with two of his friends on the day they pledge allegiance.
“Born in the U.S.A.”
The song written by Bruce Springsteen in 1984 is classified under the classic rock genre. The album cover with the American flag gives the impression of a patriotic American anthem. But appearances can be deceiving. The text does not glorify America, but criticizes it.
The lyrics are not praise for America, but criticism.Image: trapezoid
The song addressed the financial problems of Vietnam War veterans. The way America treats its war heroes should be disgraceful. More specifically, it's about the feelings of a working-class Vietnam veteran who is now in financial straits.
“Fall”
In 1995, the American hip-hop group TLC created the song “Waterfall”. Even though the song sounds sad, you might not guess the real meaning behind it.
The song “Waterfall” deals with socially relevant themes of the 1990s.Image: ear milk
The text touches on topics such as HIV/AIDS and the violence associated with the illicit drug trade. In total, three stories are told in which poor decisions lead to dire consequences.
The first story is about a mother who is worried about her son falling into a criminal gang. The second story is about a man who contracted HIV through unprotected sex. The last story is about drug abuse.
“Gangnam Style”
South Korean rapper Psy created the K-pop song “Gangnam Style” in 2012. The song became particularly popular due to its accompanying video. In 2012, the video even entered the Guinness Book of Records for most likes.
Since few people in Europe speak Korean, most people may not understand the meaning of the text. People enjoy interesting Jiangnan dance.
In 2012, the video even entered the Guinness Book of World Records.Image source: Associated Press
The purpose of this song is to imitate. “Gangnam Style” is synonymous with luxury lifestyle in Gangnam District, Seoul. Psy embodies the desire to imitate a luxurious lifestyle.
“you're beautiful”
“You're Beautiful” was written by British singer James Blunt. The song was released in 2004. The title foreshadows a heartbreaking love song. The melody and Blunt's well-timed sobs also support this idea. However, there is something completely different behind it.
His songs are misunderstood.Image: trapezoid
James Blunt told The Huffington Post that people completely misunderstood his song:
“'Ah, he's such a romantic. I want to hear 'You're Beautiful' at my wedding. These people are fucked. A lot of fans say I'm such a romantic, too. You know what? Fuck. It's not me, and “You're Beautiful” isn't that soft, romantic bad song. It's about a drug addict stalking someone's girlfriend on the subway while this person is standing right in front of him. He should be locked up or sent to jail for being such a pervert.”
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