# 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:** 18\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![BrynSublime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@BrynSublime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrynSublime)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2008, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/101 "2008-09-20T04:29:31Z")
Maybe I missed it (I was scanning the other posts quickly) but I was surprised that I didn’t see “Sympathy for the Devil”… what a great song with a pretty terrible meaning. My other one is _embarassed gulp_ “Father Figure” by George Michael. When I was a little kid (like 3rd grade) I loved this song, it sounded so emotional and sweet and heartfelt. When I got older and understood what it was about I had a serious moment of disillusionment (not to mention gag reflex). ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2008, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/102 "2008-09-20T04:50:37Z")
The Cardigans, “Lovefool”. I LOVE this song. But it’s just creepy…paraphrasing, “I don’t give a damn if you don’t really love me, as long as you pretend to.” And, frankly, while “Your Body Is A Wonderland” is still a bit unpleasant, I feel much different about it now that I know it’s not really about Jennifer Love Breasttit, after all. ---
**Author:** ![davidw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c4cdca/32.png) [@davidw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidw)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2008, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/103 "2008-09-20T14:30:22Z")
I love **Public Enemy** , they’re my favorite musical group ever. And I think “Welcome to the Terrordome” is their greatest song. But this part is clearly anti-semitic: Crucifixion ain’t no fiction So called chosen frozen Apology made to who ever pleases Still they got me like Jesus ---
**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 20, 2008, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/104 "2008-09-20T14:31:31Z")
> [@Lucky\_13](#): > > 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. Yeah, I guessed that’s what you meant…but I’d honestly never realised she was saying anything in Gaelic. I’d put it in the category of her ‘hmm hmm’ melodies (where she harmonises with herself) rather than lyrics that she was singing… if you get what I mean? I never realised it was actual lyrics, because a) the chanting is so hypnotic and b) whatever she’s singing over the top is so pretty I always got caught by the sound of it and never realised it was actual words. I feel like such a dork. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![amelioration](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e9c0ed/32.png) [@amelioration](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amelioration)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2008, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/105 "2008-09-20T14:37:36Z")
“Himmel oder Hoelle,” by E Nomine. It’s quite possibly the most awesome monumental dance/dark techno songs I’ve ever heard, but the lyrics are literally a preacher’s sermon asking the congregation if they want to get into heaven or hell, that God is the only way to salvation, yadda yadda bla bla etc. ---
**Author:** ![koeeoaddi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/koeeoaddi/32/408_2.png) [@koeeoaddi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/koeeoaddi)\ **Post date:** [September 20, 2008, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/106 "2008-09-20T17:17:11Z")
_Found Out About You_, by the Gin Blossoms - is catchy, but has that creepy 50s evil slut-girl sensibility. [_I’m Going to Say It Now_](http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/ochs-phil/im-going-to-say-it-now-11447.html), by Phil Ochs - I love Phil Ochs, but even back in the day this struck me as kind of a spoiled brat song. _"You’re supporting Chang Kai-Shek and I’m supporting Mao_?" :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/107 "2008-09-21T02:24:07Z")
“Because Of You”, Kelly Clarkson. Musically, it’s great. Lyrically? “Because of you, I’m a jangling mass of raw relationship nerves with neuroses by the dozen. Thanks.” What pushes this into “Every Breath You Take” territory is that people seem to think it’s some sort of love song. Ewww… ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/108 "2008-09-21T03:35:37Z")
Some of the songs I love/hate are about screwed up relationships where the singer lets their lover treat them like dirt. There’s more, but the only ones I can think of are two songs sung by Rod Stewart: The Rod Stewart and Ronald Isley version of [“This old heart of mine”.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzzI21YsSUQ) [Lyrics](http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/the_isley_brothers/this_old_heart_of_mine_is_weak_for_you.html) Rod Stewart again for “My heart can’t tell you no” [Lyrics](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/r/rod+stewart/my+heart+cant+tell+you+no_20267558.html) ---
**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 21, 2008, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/109 "2008-09-21T04:44:12Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > “Because Of You”, Kelly Clarkson. > > Musically, it’s great. Lyrically? “Because of you, I’m a jangling mass of raw relationship nerves with neuroses by the dozen. Thanks.” > > What pushes this into “Every Breath You Take” territory is that people seem to think it’s some sort of love song. Ewww… That’s why I can’t bear to listen to it, maybe 'cause it makes me feel guilty. My parents have been in a rather codependent relationship for years, and my ex and I split up rather than put our child through that. Of course, we’re probably screwing her up just as badly. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t, I guess. Why yes, I’m posting while drunk, can you tell? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2008, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/110 "2008-09-21T05:50:12Z")
Two songs that I really like but hate what they’re about involve manipulating people into thinking they have a shot, but don’t. But, I can’t make me love you and you can’t make me either Patience boy, I need it I can’t make me love you Patience boy, on strange days I can’t make me love you - Butterfly Boucher “I Can’t Make Me” I’ll probably never love you, boy, but do keep waiting. Maybe I’ll surprise us both one day. A long time from now. Maybe But I’m still happy when I get to hold his hand He says I can hold it but remember we’re just friends And I try, and I try, and I try to be satisfied After all he keeps me alive - Sally Shapiro “He Keeps Me Alive” And here the boy is the jerk, knowing that she’s got a thing for him but allowing things to go on that way anyway despite his lack of interest. I want to put both of the boy in the first song and the girl in the second into therapy so someone can fix them. ---
**Author:** ![bluecanary](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bluecanary/32/3614_2.png) [@bluecanary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bluecanary)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/111 "2008-09-25T13:14:16Z")
Two songs immediately came to mind. One of them has already been mentioned (‘_Moonlight Shadow_’). The other: _The Way_, by Fastball. The lyrics appear to tell the story of a couple who left home one day for the freedom of the open road. Except: > [@](#): > > Fastball bassist Tony Scalzo came up with the idea for the song after reading journalistic articles which described the disappearance of an older married couple, Raymond and Lela Howard from Salado, Texas, who left home in June 1997 to attend the Pioneer Day festival at nearby Temple, Texas, but never arrived. They were discovered two weeks later, dead, at the bottom of a ravine near Hot Springs, Arkansas, hundreds of miles off their intended route. Not so romantic after all. ---
**Author:** ![cmkeller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmkeller/32/118_2.png) [@cmkeller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmkeller)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/112 "2008-09-25T13:29:42Z")
jayjay: > [@](#): > > Musically, it’s great. Lyrically? “Because of you, I’m a jangling mass of raw relationship nerves with neuroses by the dozen. Thanks.” > > What pushes this into “Every Breath You Take” territory is that people seem to think it’s some sort of love song. Ewww… A love song? Really? I don’t know anyone who interpreted it as anything but a complaint against a parent (presumably mother) who felt the need to share all her relationship problems with her daughter, leading her to grow up with an inability to trust and develop intimacy. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/113 "2008-09-25T13:32:26Z")
> [@cmkeller](#): > > jayjay: > > A love song? Really? I don’t know anyone who interpreted it as anything but a complaint against a parent (presumably mother) who felt the need to share all her relationship problems with her daughter, leading her to grow up with an inability to trust and develop intimacy. I heard it played at a wedding reception once, as a request from the bride dedicated to the groom! Never underestimate the general public’s ability to completely mishear/ignore/misunderstand lyrics. If I had a nickel for how many times I’ve heard “Every Breath You Take” as the bride/groom dance song at a wedding reception, I’d be independently wealthy. ---
**Author:** ![BaneSidhe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c5a1d2/32.png) [@BaneSidhe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BaneSidhe)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/114 "2008-09-25T13:40:18Z")
“Sex Type Thing” by Stone Temple Pilots. Nice to headbang to but the lyrics…:eek: [http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/stone+temple+pilots/sex+type+thing\_20132550.html](http://www.lyricsfreak.com/s/stone+temple+pilots/sex+type+thing_20132550.html) “Figured You Out” by Nickleback. The lyrics speak for themselves: > **[Nickelback - Figured You Out lyrics | LyricsFreak](https://www.lyricsfreak.com/n/nickelback/figured+you+out_10192427.html)** > > Read or print original Figured You Out lyrics 2023 updated! I like your pants around your feet / And I like the dirt that's on your knees ---
**Author:** ![Glassy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ea666f/32.png) [@Glassy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Glassy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/115 "2008-09-25T14:59:04Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I heard it [“Because of You” by Kelly Clarkson] played at a wedding reception once, as a request from the bride dedicated to the groom! :eek: I have long defended the right of the listener to make his or her own independent interpretations of songs. For instance, just because a given song is about the songwriter’s struggle with addiction doesn’t mean I’m wrong when I associate it with a struggle with a bad relationship. We all bring our own experiences to the appreciation of art, and things inevitably strike us in different ways. This is cool, not bad. However. “Because of You” as an appropriate wedding song: this is a more \*independent \*interpretation than even I am comfortable with. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/116 "2008-09-25T18:19:25Z")
Songs with religious messages like “Spirit in the Sky”, “Daddy Sang Bass”, and “Turn, Turn, Turn.” I’m not religious but they’re still great songs. ---
**Author:** ![phil417](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6bbea6/32.png) [@phil417](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phil417)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/117 "2008-09-25T21:34:32Z")
> [@Nobody](#): > > 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? Two songs fit this for me. I loved both when I was a teen, but now when I hear them, I just think, “how sad.” The first is Simon & Garfunkle’s “I am a Rock” [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPioSdlIERg](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPioSdlIERg) (I think this link works; my sound card is going screwy again) The second song is Peggy Lee’s “Is That all there is” [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe9kKf7SHco](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qe9kKf7SHco) Love, Phil ---
**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 25, 2008, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017/118 "2008-09-25T21:40:50Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > I heard it played at a wedding reception once, as a request from the bride dedicated to the groom! Never underestimate the general public’s ability to completely mishear/ignore/misunderstand lyrics. If I had a nickel for how many times I’ve heard “Every Breath You Take” as the bride/groom dance song at a wedding reception, I’d be independently wealthy. I too have heard Because of You at wedding receptions. In each case the bride was an idiot who whose mind processed no more than the title. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/love-the-song-hate-what-its-about/464017.md?page=5)