# Love the song, hate what it's about **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [September 17, 2008, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017 "2008-09-17T19:38:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/1 "2008-09-17T19:38:38Z")
Are there any songs that you love or enjoy, except for what the singer is singing about? For me, it’s Bryan Adams “Run to You” [lyrics](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/b/bryan+adams/run+to+you_20025562.html) I absolutely love everything about the song, but I hate what he’s singing about. And for another example, although I don’t hate what the singer is singing about, I love the singing and music for Buckcherry’s “Lit Up” but don’t agree with singing the praises of cocaine. So, what about the rest of you? ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/2 "2008-09-17T19:39:17Z")
Heart, All I Wanna Do. Cool song, very bad message. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/3 "2008-09-17T19:42:30Z")
> [@Antinor01](#): > > Heart, All I Wanna Do. Cool song, very bad message. Actually, even though I like Heart, I never liked that song. And honestly, I never paid close attention to the lyrics, it was years after it came out that I heard what it was actually about. Oh, and I forgot to post a link to the lyrics to “lit up” and for some reason the edit function didn’t work [Lit up lyrics](http://www.lyricsdownload.com/buckcherry-lit-up-lyrics.html) ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/4 "2008-09-17T19:49:16Z")
“More Than Words,” by Poison, I think. It’s a lovely tune, and the singer has a great voice, but the lyrics can realy be summed up as “If you really loved me, you’d swallow after I came in your mouth.” ---
**Author:** ![Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/half_man_half_wit/32/21766_2.png) [@Half\_Man\_Half\_Wit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Half_Man_Half_Wit)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/5 "2008-09-17T19:52:16Z")
I have a general divide between enjoyment of the music and the lyrics when it comes to **Woven Hand** – it’s not, per se, that it’s _Christian_ music, but that it’s so overtly preaching, so singularly concerned that I almost feel like I’m being handed pamphlets in the subway. But I truly love the music; especially[To Make A Ring](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwFgCYiAC00) (YouTube link to a fan-made video with some strange noise in front, better keep your sound down for the first thirty or so seconds) is one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs I know. But still, I know I’d listen to it more without the preaching. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/6 "2008-09-17T19:53:36Z")
I cling to the belief that Mick and the boys were being ironic with [“Brown Sugar”](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/r/rolling+stones/brown+sugar_20117857.html) and [“Under My Thumb”](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/r/rolling+stones/under+my+thumb_20117884.html). Great, terrible songs. ---
**Author:** ![Stauderhorse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Stauderhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stauderhorse)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/7 "2008-09-17T19:53:42Z")
“Waiting on the world to change” by Jon Meyer It isn’t my favorite song or anything, but if it comes on the radio I’ll bop my head along to it. That being said, the lyrics drive me mad: > [@](#): > > It’s not that we don’t care > We just know that the fight ain’t fair > So we keep waiting (waiting) > Waiting on the world to change The rest of the lyrics are [here](http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/j/john_mayer/waiting_on_the_world_to_change.html). The basic message is that Jon Meyer and his friends would like to change the world, but…they can’t. People don’t expect them to do anything great, the news is (gasp!) biased, and “the fight ain’t fair”. Um…what? Is that a valid reason not to do anything about the world? People don’t expect any better of you? Seriously? Why don’t you prove them wrong if you care so much? Why would you let what people think affect you if you actually wanted to do something? It’s not like they’re standing in front of your door brandishing a wet trout to slap you with. Just go and do something! The news is biased. Well, no shit, sherlock. Try and parse the information you get. Read between the lines. Find news sources that aren’t so biased. Yeah, I get it, no one understands you, nothing you do would matter, and life just isn’t fair. Get over it. You _are_ in a position to change the world. You _can_ actually make a difference. Stop being a frigging whiner and stand up for yourself and your world. The message of this song is lazy, irresponsible, and dangerous. I know, it’s just a song, but it bugs the hell out of me. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/8 "2008-09-17T20:02:09Z")
> [@Stauderhorse](#): > > The message of this song is lazy, irresponsible, and dangerous. I still think he may be being ironic there, and saying “we keep waiting, but it isn’t a good thing.” I’d listen more closely but I don’t like his music, whatever the message is. I’ve seen some Boomers complain bitterly about this song because they, of course, made the world a much better place and these kids today… ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/9 "2008-09-17T20:03:20Z")
> [@Bayard](#): > > I cling to the belief that Mick and the boys were being ironic with [“Brown Sugar”](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/r/rolling+stones/brown+sugar_20117857.html) and [“Under My Thumb”](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/r/rolling+stones/under+my+thumb_20117884.html). Great, terrible songs. I’m pretty sure that’s a reasonable belief to cling to. And **Stauderhorse** , I hate John Mayer with the fire of a thousand suns (the phrase “bubblegum tongue” has traumatized me for life), but I’m absolutely certain that song is ironic. ---
**Author:** ![Defensive\_Indifference](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/defensive_indifference/32/6502_2.png) [@Defensive\_Indifference](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Defensive_Indifference)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/10 "2008-09-17T20:04:00Z")
> [@Stauderhorse](#): > > “Waiting on the world to change” by Jon Meyer I don’t think I’ve ever heard the song, but is it possible he’s trying to pull a [“Ten Years After”](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/t/ten+years+after/id+love+to+change+the+world_20135632.html)? (Although, on reflection, I’m not entriely sure what _they’re_ trying to pull either.) ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/11 "2008-09-17T20:06:29Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > “More Than Words,” by Poison, I think. It’s a lovely tune, and the singer has a great voice, but the lyrics can realy be summed up as “If you really loved me, you’d swallow after I came in your mouth.” “More Than Words” is Extreme, not Poison. Looking at the [lyrics](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/e/extreme/more+than+words_20052203.html), I guess I can see your interpretation, but it never would have occurred to me otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Stauderhorse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Stauderhorse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stauderhorse)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/12 "2008-09-17T20:07:34Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > I still think he may be being ironic there, and saying “we keep waiting, but it isn’t a good thing.” I’d listen more closely but I don’t like his music, whatever the message is. I’ve seen some Boomers complain bitterly about this song because they, of course, made the world a much better place and these kids today… You could be right about it being ironic, but will the people listening to the song catch that, or just say “See, even Jon Meyer doesn’t think we can do anything important”? I know the song probably won’t affect anyone’s actions (if you actually want to do something, you aren’t going to let a song stop you). Still, though. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/13 "2008-09-17T20:08:52Z")
> [@Stauderhorse](#): > > You could be right about it being ironic, but will the people listening to the song catch that, or just say “See, even Jon Meyer doesn’t think we can do anything important”? People who like John Mayer should probably be dissuaded from ever attempting anything important. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/14 "2008-09-17T20:09:43Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > “More Than Words” is Extreme, not Poison. > > Looking at the [lyrics](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/e/extreme/more+than+words_20052203.html), I guess I can see your interpretation, but it never would have occurred to me otherwise. Thanks for the correction. All white boys look the same to me. 🙂 As to your complaint, I admit to overstating for comic effect. Will you be happier if I write that the song can be summarized as, “If you love me, you’ll sleep with me” ? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/15 "2008-09-17T20:11:03Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > Thanks for the correction. All white boys look the same to me. 🙂 > > As to the admit to overstating for comic effect. Will you be happier if I write that the song can be summarized as, “If you love me, you’ll sleep with me” ? I can definitely see that. Or “If you love me, you’ll let me put it in your ass.” ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/16 "2008-09-17T20:12:45Z")
“Drunk Daddy” by Cherry Poppin’ Daddies is a very upbeat swing tune but if you listen to the lyrics it’s a deeply disturbing song about alcoholism and child abuse. It’s not that I hate the lyrics, just that they are definitely disturbing. But they’re supposed to be. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/17 "2008-09-17T20:13:28Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I can definitely see that. Or “If you love me, you’ll let me put it in your ass.” Or you’ll let my friends and their rott do you. Really, we can do this all day. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Pollux\_Oil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/858c86/32.png) [@Pollux\_Oil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pollux_Oil)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/18 "2008-09-17T20:14:42Z")
Not a particular song, but most “metal” songs I love the guitar riffs and the awesome rocking out and yet the lyrical content I just ignore. ---
**Author:** ![Busy\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/d78d45/32.png) [@Busy\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Busy_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/19 "2008-09-17T20:20:18Z")
Rage against the Machine are a nice illustration of how completely meaningless lyrics can be in the face of awesome rock music. I don’t _hate_ what they’re saying particulary, it’s laughably simplistic left-wing posturing that almost a parody, but DAMN it rocks. Perfect example is _Voice of the Voiceless_, one of their best tracks IMO, about the oppression and mis-carriage of justice (in their opinion) of Mumia Abu-Jamal. I don’t know the ins and outs of this story, but appreciate that many Americans would find this to be a deeply crass and objectionable subject for a song. It still brings the mutha-fucking house down, can’t see how any fan of rock music could truthfully say otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/20 "2008-09-17T20:23:26Z")
“Dear Mr. President,” by Pink (Indigo Girls?). Although I believe that the majority of what she’s talking about in the song is true, I am not happy about that. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017.md?page=2)