# 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:** 5
**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 19, 2008, 8:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/81 "2008-09-19T08:41:56Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#): > > “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. I can’t say I’ve ever heard this as an ‘upbeat swing tune’ – it always seemed very aggressive and dark to me, regardless of content, musically as well as through Steve Perry’s delivery. ---
**Author:** ![Wallenstein](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b5a626/32.png) [@Wallenstein](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wallenstein)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 9:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/82 "2008-09-19T09:27:53Z")
In a similar vein to “Mac the Knife”, there’s also “Moon over Bourbon St.” by The Police. ---
**Author:** ![Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bites_when_provoked/32/18073_2.png) [@Bites\_When\_Provoked](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bites_When_Provoked)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 9:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/83 "2008-09-19T09:38:12Z")
> [@Lucky\_13](#): > > I used to love a song by Enya called _The Longships_. Then I found out that the lyrics were about Ireland being conquered by Vikings, and the subsequent enslavement of the Irish. ☹ How peculiar. I have this song on one of my albums and wasn’t aware there were any lyrics at all. Consider me unpleasantly surprised. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/84 "2008-09-19T10:41:19Z")
> [@DKW](#): > > Explanations? Not that I’m likely to be convinced, but if anyone can come up with something… “Mack the Knife” is exactly what you think it is, but it wasn’t written as a peppy swing tune - that’s just how Louis Armstrong and Bobby Darin (and then many others) arranged it. It’s the opening song of Brecht’s Threepenny Opera, and the intent is that you get a sense of just how bad this guy is so you can’t identify too closely with him even though he is the hero of the show. [Besides, there are lyrics Darin and Armstrong (and many stage productions) omitted that are even worse.](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2155/whats-the-story-behind-mack-the-knife) 😉 ---
**Author:** ![irishgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8edcca/32.png) [@irishgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/irishgirl)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/85 "2008-09-19T10:41:48Z")
**Maroon 5** - _Harder To Breathe_. _“I have the tendency of getting very physical So watch your step cause if I do you’ll need a miracle”_ Yes, yes, I know it’s a song about their frustration with their record label, but every time I hear it it sounds like a guy threatening to beat up his girlfriend. Nice. ---
**Author:** ![MadPansy64](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/dc4da7/32.png) [@MadPansy64](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MadPansy64)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/86 "2008-09-19T14:08:43Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I thought “Follow Me” was about heroin. Nope, it’s about an extramarital affair. Second verse: \*I don’t worry ‘bout the ring you wear Cause as long as no one knows Nobody can care You’re feelin’ guilty And I’m well aware But you don’t look ashamed And baby I’m not scared \* or something like that. Possibly my favorite hate it while turning up the radio and singing along song. Number two on the list is Carrie Underwoods “Next Time He Cheats” ---
**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 19, 2008, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/87 "2008-09-19T16:06:03Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > “Mack the Knife” is exactly what you think it is, but it wasn’t written as a peppy swing tune - that’s just how Louis Armstrong and Bobby Darin (and then many others) arranged it. It’s the opening song of Brecht’s Threepenny Opera, and the intent is that you get a sense of just how bad this guy is so you can’t identify too closely with him even though he is the hero of the show. > > [Besides, there are lyrics Darin and Armstrong (and many stage productions) omitted that are even worse.](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2155/whats-the-story-behind-mack-the-knife) 😉 Nick Cave, on the other hand, [performed that song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3_2zbZwDlM) (YouTube link) with a gleeful darkness that throws a quite different light on the lyrics… ---
**Author:** ![Glassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Glassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glassy)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/88 "2008-09-19T17:17:15Z")
I remember sitting around with some coworkers in the break room when “Don’t Fear the Reaper” by Blue Oyster Cult came on. You know the one: “…It was clear she couldn’t go on And the door was opened and the wind appeared The candles blew and then disappeared The curtains flew and then he appeared Said, ‘Don’t be afraid, come on baby,’ And she had no fear, and she ran to him…” Etc. My coworker said, “Man I hate this song. I think it’s about suicide.” I said, “Yeah, I think so too. What a great song.” ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/89 "2008-09-19T17:25:05Z")
[A lapdance is so much better when the stripper is crying.](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/bloodhoundgang/alapdanceissomuchbetterwhenthestripperiscrying.html) by The Bloodhound Gang. The song is catchy, but it’s not something you want to be caught singing to yourself on an elevator. ---
**Author:** ![YoudNeverGuess](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a587f6/32.png) [@YoudNeverGuess](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YoudNeverGuess)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/90 "2008-09-19T18:20:30Z")
Another vote for _Every Breath You Take_ - great song, creepy lyrics. Never noticed the lyrics of _Don’t Stand So Close To Me_ - will pay more attention next time! Yep, _Mac the Knife_ also horrible song made even more freaky by the fact that its most popular rendition is usually so cheerful musically! Not that I care too much what they’re _about_ as such, hell, not that I’m even SURE what they’re about half the time, but I love Radiohead and think they’re an AMAZING band musically. But their lyrics for the most part either leave me cold or are downright annoyingly navel-gazing/ angsty/ obtuse in an overly contrived fashion. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/91 "2008-09-19T18:30:02Z")
Tom Paxton’s [Jimmy Newman](http://www.mydfz.com/Paxton/lyrics/jn.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/92 "2008-09-19T19:11:47Z")
I just thought of another one. “Second Chance” by 38 Special. The song is about a guy who cheated on his wife or girlfriend, and is begging for forgiveness, but the lines he uses are the same old meaningless cliches that people use when they cheat. Example: > [@38 special](#): > > I never loved her > I never needed her > She was willing and that’s all there is to say > Don’t forsake me > Please don’t leave me now Oh, so it wasn’t about love, only sex. That makes it all better. Most of the other lyrics make me roll my eyes as well. [lyrics](http://www.asklyrics.com/display/38_Special/Second_Chance_Lyrics/125382.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/93 "2008-09-19T19:44:07Z")
> [@mbh](#): > > In order to become well-equipped, you need the ability to accumulate capital, and an incentive to put that capital to good use. The profit motive accomplishes this far better than starry-eyed idealism. Plus, my body is my possession. My mind is my possession. “Imagine no possessions” kind of treads on my right to not be a slave, to not be used for medical experimentation against my will, and to have my conscience respected. Also, am I really the first one to mention [_Alison_](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Alison-lyrics-Elvis-Costello/02B5C7AFD4357AB9482568AF00158F69)? It’s about killing your ex-lover because she’s getting married to someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/94 "2008-09-19T19:52:14Z")
> [@winterhawk11](#): > > I like a lot of Steve Taylor’s music–I don’t normally like Christian music, but he’s got a really catchy, sarcastic new-wave style that I like and he often picks on hypocrites more than he preaches. But when he does get preachy, I get a bit uncomfortable enjoying some of his stuff. Agreed. ---
**Author:** ![criminey.jicket](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@criminey.jicket](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/criminey.jicket)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/95 "2008-09-19T20:03:57Z")
Tammy Wynette’s _Stand By Your Man_. No regards, Hillary Clinton ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/96 "2008-09-19T20:20:57Z")
The weird ways people interpret song lyrics never cease to amaze me. I dislike “More Than Words” too, but not because it about some guy demanding that his girl demonstrate her love by sleeping with him or sucking him off – of course it bloody isn’t :rolleyes: – but because the lyrics are so clumsy and badly written: “More than words is all you have to do” etc. Nice tune, though. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/97 "2008-09-19T21:47:00Z")
> [@Wallenstein](#): > > In a similar vein to “Mac the Knife”, there’s also “Moon over Bourbon St.” by The Police. Well, to be fair, the guy can’t help killing, since he’s a vampire… ---
**Author:** ![Lucky\_13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucky_13/32/13209_2.png) [@Lucky\_13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_13)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/98 "2008-09-19T22:48:20Z")
> [@Bites\_When\_Provoked](#): > > How peculiar. I have this song on one of my albums and wasn’t aware there were any lyrics at all. Consider me unpleasantly surprised. I mean the stuff Enya is chanting in the background in Gaelic. I read the translation on an Enya fansite. So I could be wrong. ---
**Author:** ![Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/d9b06d/32.png) [@Ichini\_Sanshigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichini_Sanshigo)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2008, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/99 "2008-09-19T23:27:29Z")
I love the music to Eminem’s [Kim](http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Kim-lyrics-Eminem/4432064E087ED29F482568FE00279E5B), but the lyrics are disturbing as hell (crazy jealous boyfriend murders his ex’s new husband and boyfriend, and then his ex). It sends shivers down my spine, but I still find myself singing along at the climax: “Bleed bitch bleed!!!” Equally catchy and disturbing is the sequel, ['97 Bonnie & Clyde](http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/eminem/97bonnieandclyde.html). Maybe more disturbing, because the overt rage of the first is gone. ---
**Author:** ![Mtgman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5a626/32.png) [@Mtgman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mtgman)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2008, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/100 "2008-09-20T04:05:58Z")
> [@panamajack](#): > > Unless you simply take the title out of context, what’s creepy about this song? He’s saying “we’re both mature adults, and I’m going to be honest with you, I’d like the same in return.” There is definite cockiness in “you wouldn’t get this from any other guy”, but I don’t see how it’s creepy. > > I’d provide a link so people can listen, but can’t seem to find a copy of it on the internet. Must be too old of a song to be popular these days… I couldn’t find it either, but IIRC the title is actually a line from the song, repeated a couple times. He also says he knows what’s going on in her head and they’re going to be playing games. It’s kind of a “ok baby, we’re going to have a 24/7 D/s relationship and I’m taking charge because we know the game and we’re gonna play it. Total commitment.” Creepy. Enjoy, Steven [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017.md?page=6)