True and Mind-Blowing Stories Behind Famous and Loved Songs
March 5, 2014Many fans spend a lot of time trying to find meaning in the songs they know and love listening to, but the interesting part is that a lot of songs you know and probably love have bizarre meanings you wouldn't thought about.
Here are some of these songs and their true and mind-blowing meaning, so next time you listen to the songs, you'll truly know what they're talking about and what they mean.
Bryan Adams – "Summer of 69"
How fans interpret the meaning of the song: Autobiographical band story.
True meaning of the song: In the summer of 1969, Bryan Adams was only 10 years old so there is no way Adams played in a band that age nor fell in-love. The nostalgia of the song was not inspired by an actual year but for Adams' fondness for a specific sexual position, believe it or not. The song was actually about making love in the summertime.
Queen – "Bohemian Rhapsody"
How fans interpret the meaning of the song: Describing a singer struggling with AIDS.
True meaning of the song: Many people think the song is about Freddie Mercury and his struggle with AIDS, his illness and impending death, but Mercury was once quoted saying that the words were simply random rhyming nonsense which were written in order to fit the music. Besides, the AIDS epidemics of the early '80s took place only years after the song was completed.
Police – "Every Breath You Take"
How fans interpret the meaning of the song: A sweet love song
True meaning of the song: Every Breath You Take is one of the most famous and loved songs by the Police and it's easy to mistake its meaning and think it is a love song about and care and passion, but according to Sting, the song is about a sinister and ugly kind of love. Sting wrote the song when his marriage collapsed with dominant emotions of obsession and jealousy over his lost lover. The song has a stalker-like vibe and they were inspired by desire for surveillance and control that he felt at the time of his divorce.
Dave Matthews Band – "Crash Into Me"
How fans interpret the meaning of the song: Sexy love song.
True meaning of the song: For years this song was considered to be a classic love song about longing for that special person, yet the lyrics of the songs are kind of creepy. Matthews has admitted that this song is indeed a love song but it was written from the perspective of a peeping tom. He was once joked about the song, saying it was written as an alternative to getting arrested.
Eagles – "Hotel California"
How fans interpret the meaning of the song: Song about worshiping the devil.
True meaning of the song: This song was interpreted in many different ways over the years and one view that was widely held during the '80s was that this song referred to a hotel which was purchased by Anton LaVey, the founder of the Church of Satan. The myth grew thanks to the freaky image on the album's cover along with lyrics like "they just can't kill the beast", but the song actually describes excess in America and the Los Angeles high life which the band experienced using a metaphoric meaning.
Bruce Springsteen – "Born in the USA"
How fans interpret the meaning of the song: Patriotic song.
True meaning of the song: Define irony – many people including politicians using this song for patriotic uses, when in fact the lyrics of the song are extremely critical of the US. And so, many people proudly sing the chorus at ball games with beer in hand without knowing that the meaning of the song and the lyrics is different than they think. This song was written in response to the negative impact that the war in Vietnam had on American citizens, so next time you proudly sing this song, remember that it's not patriotic but has a critical view on the country and its decision makers.
Tom Petty – "American Girl"
How fans interpret the meaning of the song: Song which is about a suicide.
True meaning of the song: The myth has it that Tom Petty actually wrote this song about a student which went to University of Florida and committed suicide when she jumped from the balcony of her dorm room. Petty insists that this is an urban legend and that the song was inspired by the sounds of the freeway near his apartment in Encino, California.
Phil Collins – "In the Air Tonight"
How fans interpret the meaning of the song: Witnessing a preventable death.
True meaning of the song: The meaning of this famous song is wildly mistaken by many fans and music lovers thanks to the dark and accusatory lyrics. The story goes that Phil Collins saw a man drowning from far away and that another person who was close enough in order to help and save the drowning man either ignored or refused to help him. Collins claims this is incorrect and that the lyrics of the song came from feelings of anger and bitterness which he felt when he was going through his own divorce.
James Taylor – "Fire and Rain"
How fans interpret the meaning of the song: Girlfriend that died in a plane crash.
True meaning of the song: The sad and apocalyptic lyrics of the song had many believe that this song was about Taylor losing his girlfriend "Suzanne" in a plane crash after friends bought her a ticket and thus trying to surprise Taylor with her visit when he was out of town at that time. Taylor claims that the song was actually written over time and each of the 3 verses in the song dealt with different aspects of his life – From the death of this girlfriend, to his frustration in music, to the brief time he spent in an institution.
The Beatles – "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"
How fans interpret the meaning of the song: A song about LSD.
True meaning of the song: John Lennon claimed that this song was actually inspired by a drawing which was made by his son. He had no idea that the song was referenced to LSD, but the lyrics do sound like something taken from a drug experience and hallucination. Still, Lennon claimed this was never his intention and the song was written because of a drawing.
The Beastie Boys – "(You Gotta) Fight For Your Right (To Party)"
How fans interpret the meaning of the song: A party anthem.
True meaning of the song: Considered to be one of the greatest party anthems of all time, The Beastie Boys has actually a different thought in mind when they wrote this song. The song actually mocks party anthems and people who feel they have to party in order to feel good, so when most people sing this song and having a great time at parties, they don't truly know that this song is a total goof on them.
D'Angelo – "(Untitled) How Does it Feel"
How fans interpret the meaning of the song: A song about sex.
True meaning of the song: This song is considered to be one of the most sexiest songs of all times which were not sang by Barry White and the general conception is that this song is about sex. Fans couldn't have been more wrong because it turns out that when D'Angelo asks in the song "How does it feel" he actually asks about…his grandma's cooking! What do you think about the song now?
Mariah Carey – "Butterfly"
How fans interpret the meaning of the song: A mushy love song.
True meaning of the song: It seems as if Mariah Carey sings some kind of a love song here but in fact she's actually singing to her horse! The song is about letting the horse go and giving it freedom. Surprised? I know we were…
