# 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:** 2
**Author:** ![SaharaTea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@SaharaTea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SaharaTea)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/21 "2008-09-17T20:23:56Z")
“You’re Nobody Til Somebody Loves You.” Self-explanatory. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/22 "2008-09-17T20:39:27Z")
There are a number of songs like this for me, but the most disturbing are the “stalker” songs. For example, “Every Breath You Take” by the Police, and “Possession” by Sarah McLaughlin. Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up” and Enrique Iglesias, “Escape” are pretty creepy, as is Radiohead’s “Creep”, and Blondie’s “One Way or Another”. I think the main reason these bug me is because unlike most songs that I like, I just can’t bring myself to sing these because they’re so damn creepy. The worst, by far, is The Beatles “Run For Your Life.” _shudder_ Similarly there are songs that I appreciate the lyrics, but can’t stand the way the performer did them or the music they were put to, but that’s another thread. Enjoy, Steven ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/23 "2008-09-17T21:08:42Z")
“Deportee” by Peter, Paul, and Mary. It is beautifully done, but the lyrics are laughable. It is about illegal immigrant migrant workers who are deported. Apparently losing their jobs and being sent back to Mexico is unfortunate, but what really grinds their gears is the people who guard them on the way back to Mexico don’t take the time to learn everyone’s names. ---
**Author:** ![Peanut\_Gallery](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/838e76/32.png) [@Peanut\_Gallery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanut_Gallery)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/24 "2008-09-17T21:11:32Z")
For me its most Beach Boys/Beatles and some gangsta rap. ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Hen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ad7895/32.png) [@Small\_Hen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Hen)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/25 "2008-09-17T21:34:35Z")
“Prison Sex” by Tool. The only time I have ever stopped and really _heard_ the lyrics to a song I liked, then switched it off and never listened again. I know they aren’t condoning the actions in the song, but it turns my stomach nonetheless. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/26 "2008-09-17T21:41:36Z")
For me it’s “Jolene” by Dolly Parton. I LOVE THAT SONG! I can hear it and be transported into a world of joy, even sing along at the top of my voice (if nobody’s around) but when I actually stop to think what she’s singing about, it drives me batty. She’s got this man, and this other bitch, Jolene, is trying to take him away from her. The bitch might well succeed because she’s beautiful and amazing and everything that the singer is not (or thinks she’s not). The bitch could go after and get any man she wanted. The singer is pleading for the bitch to leave her man alone because he’s the only man for her. GAH! If the asshole man lacks the character to stick with his soulmate who loves him deeply rather than fling with the flighty slut who’ll drop him like a bomb when the next man comes along, then the singer is better off without him. She should tell them both to go fuck themselves. Ah god, I do love the song though. ---
**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/27 "2008-09-17T21:41:59Z")
> [@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. “Under my Thumb”. That’s the one. He didn’t really mean it, right? ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/28 "2008-09-17T21:43:52Z")
“Stairway to Heaven” I’m not a big Tolkien fan. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/29 "2008-09-17T21:53:08Z")
> [@DianaG](#): > > I hate John Mayer with the fire of a thousand suns (the phrase “bubblegum tongue” has traumatized me for life). I’ll see your thousand and raise another 500. The phrase “your body is a wonderland” just makes me cringe. The guy is creepy and in love with himself but apparently all the “it” ladies want to be with him. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/30 "2008-09-17T21:58:54Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > “Stairway to Heaven” > > I’m not a big Tolkien fan. So ‘Ramble On’ is not good for you either?! I nominate ‘Every breath you take’ by the Police. Great music, stalkerish lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Tan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charlie_tan/32/12582_2.png) [@Charlie\_Tan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Tan)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/31 "2008-09-17T22:10:09Z")
> [@Mtgman](#): > > “Every Breath You Take” by the Police Even more disturbing, by the same group, is **Don’t Stand so close to Me** , retelling Sting’s experiences as a sub HS teacher: _Its no use, he sees her He starts to shake and cough Just like the old man in That book by Nabakov_ ---
**Author:** ![Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tastes_of_chocolate/32/3232_2.png) [@Tastes\_of\_Chocolate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tastes_of_Chocolate)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/32 "2008-09-17T22:16:38Z")
To add to the stalkerish list. Dave Matthews Band [Crash into Me](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/dave+matthews+band/crash+into+me_20036557.html) > [@](#): > > Hike up your skirt a little more > And show your world to me > In a boys dream.. in a boys dream > Oh I watch you there > Through the window > And I stare at you > You wear nothing but you > Wear it so well ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/33 "2008-09-17T22:39:02Z")
The number of songs I love where I’m pretty sure the singer is being ironic, or singing in character is huge… An especially ‘whoah’ example, though, is Run For Your Live by the Beatles. I’m also not ENTIRELY sure that it was entirely playing a character, given John was completely serious when he wrote Jealous Guy several years later. One I’m pretty sure the performer seriously believes what they’re singing, but I love the song, despite disagreeing with it… It’s Much Too Late by Alice Cooper (from Dragontown, the somewhat weaker follow-up to Brutal Planet) drives me nuts…it’s a pretty catchy song, which I find myself singing along with, but I find the sentiment expressed absolutely _offencive_. I Just Wanna Be God may fit here, if I ever bothered paying more than cursory attention to the lyrics. Dragontown also gives me a special category…‘Might fit here, might not’: Sex Death and Money, I have NO idea what his intended interpretation of the song…I’d generally take it as parodying people like the character singing it, given that this is Alice we’re talking about, and it’s really over the top, but…that interpretation feels very odd when slotted into the rest of the album - especially It’s Much Too Late. If it’s correct, I have no problem with the song. If it’s not, then I find the meaning a little uncomfortable, but it really kind of rocks. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/34 "2008-09-17T22:48:12Z")
Bonnie Mae, a traditional song that Solas sings on their “The Hour Before Dawn” CD. Here’s a sample of the lyrics: Now he’s taken her by the middle jip And by the green gown sleeve And there he’s had his will of her And he’s asked of her no leave, no leave He’s asked of her no leave Basically, it’s a great song, fun little melody, good instrumental arrangement, beautiful voice… about a Lord raping a shepherdess. Remainder of lyrics [here](http://www.geocities.com/celticlyricscorner/solas/bonnie.htm) UGH. But such a beautiful song. ---
**Author:** ![Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Hazle\_Weatherfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazle_Weatherfield)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/35 "2008-09-17T22:50:56Z")
“Janie’s Got a Gun.” “Luka.” ---
**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, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/36 "2008-09-17T22:58:01Z")
> [@Tengu](#): > > The number of songs I love where I’m pretty sure the singer is being ironic, or singing in character is huge… > > An especially ‘whoah’ example, though, is Run For Your Live by the Beatles. I’m also not ENTIRELY sure that it was entirely playing a character, given John was completely serious when he wrote Jealous Guy several years later. > > One I’m pretty sure the performer seriously believes what they’re singing, but I love the song, despite disagreeing with it… > > It’s Much Too Late by Alice Cooper (from Dragontown, the somewhat weaker follow-up to Brutal Planet) drives me nuts…it’s a pretty catchy song, which I find myself singing along with, but I find the sentiment expressed absolutely _offencive_. I Just Wanna Be God may fit here, if I ever bothered paying more than cursory attention to the lyrics. > > Dragontown also gives me a special category…‘Might fit here, might not’: > > Sex Death and Money, I have NO idea what his intended interpretation of the song…I’d generally take it as parodying people like the character singing it, given that this is Alice we’re talking about, and it’s really over the top, but…that interpretation feels very odd when slotted into the rest of the album - especially It’s Much Too Late. > > If it’s correct, I have no problem with the song. If it’s not, then I find the meaning a little uncomfortable, but it really kind of rocks. “Disgraceland” is pretty offensive from that album too (Cooper doing an Elvis impersonation, mocking him for being a sinner and saying he went to Hell). Cooper didn’t just go Christian, he turned into a Jack Chick style Christian, and I’m not even exaggerating. ---
**Author:** ![Miss\_Woodhouse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@Miss\_Woodhouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miss_Woodhouse)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/37 "2008-09-17T23:06:56Z")
“Goodbye, Earl” by the Dixie Chicks. The lyrics are clever, the tune’s catchy, sung well, and a heck of a lot of fun. But dang I hate singing along with a song that justifies murder. There are other avenues for escaping domestic abuse. really. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/38 "2008-09-17T23:15:36Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > “Disgraceland” is pretty offensive from that album too (Cooper doing an Elvis impersonation, mocking him for being a sinner and saying he went to Hell). I agree, but I didn’t mention it because it’s also a really lame song - a significant portion of why I think Dragontown is much weaker than Brutal Planet - the only one I regularly skip on the album, in fact. ---
**Author:** ![USCDiver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/uscdiver/32/354_2.png) [@USCDiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/USCDiver)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2008, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/39 "2008-09-17T23:41:50Z")
“Hook” by Blues Traveler Great song with a catchy tune and a refrain that gets stuck in your head. The lyrics are about how if you have a great song with a catchy tune and a refrain that gets stuck in your head it doesn’t matter what the lyrics are. And Peter Pan. ---
**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, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/40 "2008-09-17T23:43:37Z")
> [@USCDiver](#): > > “Hook” by Blues Traveler > > Great song with a catchy tune and a refrain that gets stuck in your head. The lyrics are about how if you have a great song with a catchy tune and a refrain that gets stuck in your head it doesn’t matter what the lyrics are. And Peter Pan. That song has a great hook to it. ETA seriously, what’s great about that song is that the chorus has a really earnest, emotional feel to it…until you actually listen to the lyrics and realize the whole thing is an ironic joke. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017.md?page=3)