# Ordinary songs that no one notices are actually creepy **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 11, 2004, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639 "2004-03-11T04:44:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@The\_Great\_Zamboni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Zamboni)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/201 "2004-03-20T22:19:58Z")
> [@flamingbananas](#): > > Haha, I thought I was the only one who thought Maxwell’s Silver Hammer was creepy. Great song, but it’s about killing people. > There was this old Blink 182 song, back on their first CD I think…anywhoodles, it wasn’t really creepy just depressing. Made me want to cry. For a band that was all for world peace and that stuff, The Beatles sure were violent. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/202 "2004-03-20T22:41:55Z")
You know why John learned how to play the Harmonica? Because he knew he was going to be arrested sooner or later (probably sooner), and he wanted to be the guy who played the harmonica. So yeah, I’d say there was a bit of violent streak in John… I think the creepiest song ever is _Invisible_\* by the creepiest creep in the world. That song and that video just…ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/203 "2004-03-20T22:45:46Z")
From “I’m on Fire,” from _Born in the USA_ "Hey little girl is your daddy home, did he go and leave you all alone. . . " (yes, that _does_ sound like a bad desire) "Can he do to you the things that I do . . . " Bruce? Are you still talking about _her daddy_? There was a similar bit in “Time of the Season,” "Has he taken . . . any time . . . to show you what you need . . . " I think they were still talking about her daddy, too (“what’s your name, who’s your daddy,” [Ukelele Ike I’m sorry it’s just that these rock lyrics are so damn _limited_, y’know, it’s hard not to quote a significant portion of 'em and still have people know what specific lines you’re talking about]). Okay, I find these Daddy/lover comparisons creepy. Couldn’t say whether they’re _unintentionally_ creepy. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2004, 10:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/204 "2004-03-20T22:50:38Z")
I think those songs mean “sugar daddy” not “daddy daddy” ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/205 "2004-03-21T04:40:42Z")
> [@pepperlandgirl](#): > > I think those songs mean “sugar daddy” not “daddy daddy” Better. But still creepy. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/206 "2004-03-21T04:47:45Z")
You know, an awful lot of you seem to read these lyrics as being intended to be taken literally. I think there’s a lot of loose metaphor intended much of the time. You also shouldn’t assume the singer or writer of the song is meant to be the guy you see with the guitar - sometimes songs are written from a teenager’s point of view, even though the singer may actually be a 42 year old man. ---
**Author:** ![Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Krisfer\_the\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Krisfer_the_Cat)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/207 "2004-03-21T05:00:45Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#): > > I still don’t understand why they have played **YMCA** at every wedding reception I’ve gone to. I mean, it’s a song about picking up guys at the YMCA. I like the song, but… > > “Dear, at the wedding reception, I think we should play this song. It’s a celebration of having gay sex with strangers.” > > “That would be lovely, darling!” I’m too lazy to read the whole thread so if this is mentioned deal with it! Creepiest thing about this song is that its played on Radio DISNEY! ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 8:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/208 "2004-03-21T08:08:40Z")
> [@panamajack](#): > > This is perhaps an uncharitable interpretation, but I always felt the lyrics of Extreme’s _More Than Words_ boiled down to, “If you really loved me, you’d have sex with me. In fact, I really wish you couldn’t speak so you’d shut up and f\*\*k me.” I used to think that it was a “If you loved me, then you’d have sex with me.” song too, but on VH1’s Bands Reunited, when they were trying to reunite Extreme, they asked Gary Cherone about it, he said that it’s a commonly misunderstood song, and that it was about what a former girlfriend was saying to him. That she felt he wasn’t showing his love enough. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 8:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/209 "2004-03-21T08:55:12Z")
> [@GuanoLad](#): > > You know, an awful lot of you seem to read these lyrics as being intended to be taken literally. I think there’s a lot of loose metaphor intended much of the time. > > You also shouldn’t assume the singer or writer of the song is meant to be the guy you see with the guitar - sometimes songs are written from a teenager’s point of view, even though the singer may actually be a 42 year old man. Well that works with “You’re 16, You’re Beautiful, and You’re Mine.” But I usually do take the lyrics (e.g. “Norwegian Wood”) exactly at their face value. Guess I just have a daddy hangup, huh. Now, I saw a truly hilarious bit from an old “Lawrence Welk Show” (while trying to get the VCR to work I might add). A couple, with guitars, singing soulfully to each other: “Please, release me, let me go…” NOT a good romantic duet! Guess the logic escaped them. ---
**Author:** ![Evil\_Death](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecccb3/32.png) [@Evil\_Death](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Evil_Death)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/210 "2004-03-21T17:01:53Z")
> [@ddgryphon](#): > > I’m also not saying that it is the only viable interpretation of the song – just one, set forth a little over three decades ago, and so, just because someone goes there, doesn’t make them particularly odd, as it is an easily worked through interpretation of it. You can look at it that way if you like, but even if it’s one of the several equally valid interpretations (which, based on the evidence, it isn’t) you have to look askance at the people to whose minds it comes most easily. Creepy creepy creepy, you’re all creeps. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Carrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f0a364/32.png) [@Captain\_Carrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Carrot)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/211 "2004-03-21T23:36:23Z")
“I Never Wanna Hear You Say” (Or whatever the heck it’s called) by either 'N Sync or another one of those simpering bands of stupid teenage boys: “I never wanna hear you say “I want it that way”” I don’t want you to voice your opinions; we’re doing what I want to do! ---
**Author:** ![misstee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@misstee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misstee)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2004, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/212 "2004-03-21T23:52:08Z")
Has anyone mentioned Alanis Morissette’s You ought to know It makes me think that the chick that got dumped is stalking the dumper. _You seem very well, things look peaceful I’m not quiet as well, I thought you should know Did you forget about me Mr Duplicity I hate to bug you in the middle of dinner It was a slap in the face how quickly I was replaced ARE YOU THINKING OF ME WHEN YOU F_CK HER\* and later _Cause the joke that you laid in the bed that was me And I’m not going to fade As soon as you close your eyes and you know it And everytime I scratch my nails down someone else’s back I hope you feel it…well can you feel it_ ---
**Author:** ![ddgryphon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8c91f0/32.png) [@ddgryphon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ddgryphon)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2004, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/213 "2004-03-22T01:05:31Z")
> [@Evil Death](#): > > You can look at it that way if you like, but even if it’s one of the several equally valid interpretations (which, based on the evidence, it isn’t) you have to look askance at the people to whose minds it comes most easily. Creepy creepy creepy, you’re all creeps. 😛 Okay. ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2004, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/214 "2004-03-22T03:49:54Z")
If I get logged out again I’m going to SCREAM. Let’s try this again… Was anyone else as creeped out as I always was by this sick song we used to sing in Catholic church? “Sons of God hear his Holy Word, Gather 'round the table of the Lord Eat his bo-dee! Drink His blooood! And we’ll sing a song of love Hale-luuu, Hale-luuu, Hale-luuu, Hale-luuuuia!” Sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![Coulbean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Coulbean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Coulbean)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2004, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/215 "2004-03-22T03:54:39Z")
\*\*Atlantic City \*\* is one of those songs where the chorus sounds happy, but the verses are the meat of the song and thus it is often misinterpreted. I also have to mention that my mom didn’t realize that \*\*She Talks to Angels \*\* by the Black Crowes is about herion addiction. How can you miss that one!? _“She paints her eyes as black as night now She pulls the shades down tight She gives a smile when the pain comes The pain’s gonna make everything alright”_ People also fail to realize that **Brick** by Ben Folds Five is about an abortion. To chime in on the discussion of **Possum Kingdom** , I originally thought the song was about a guy pressuring a girl for sex. I always thought it was creepy along those lines. I figured the “Do you wanna die” part was a reference to losing one’s virginity, in a very depressing way. The vampire interpretation is common as well. I, too, find it to be a very sexy song. Always have. My vote for creepiest song **Black-Eyed Dog** by Nick Drake from his last album before he died. The song is short, so I’ll [link](http://www.algonet.se/~iguana/DRAKE/NDtime.html#BLACK) to it. Gives me goosbumps everytime I hear it. ---
**Author:** ![Tenar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/35a633/32.png) [@Tenar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tenar)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2004, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/216 "2004-03-22T03:54:48Z")
Not creepy, but amusing – I was AMAZED when I found out what the Jackson Browne song, “Rosie,” was all about. “Rosie, you’re all right you wear my ring. When I hold you tight (Rosie – that’s my thing) When I turn out the light I’ve got to hand it to me. Looks like it’s you and me again tonight, Rosie!” Okay, maybe I was a wee bit slow on the uptake. But I had never noticed until someone pointed it out that the previous line was about how a girl that the singer had his eyes on left with the drummer (or maybe one of the roadies?) because “it’s who you look like, not who you are.” Anyway, I thought it was hysterically funny. Those were simpler times. ---
**Author:** ![jweb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71c47a/32.png) [@jweb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jweb)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2004, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/217 "2004-03-22T04:49:38Z")
> [@Mole](#): > > I used to like Filter’s “Hey Man Nice Shot” until some friends claimed it was inspired by R. Budd Dwyer’s suicide. I don’t know if that’s true but I can’t help but associate the two now when I hear the song. Kind of creeps me out. Would you believe that the first time I heard this song was the day my high school principal committed suicide with a shotgun? > [@mishypoo](#): > > And I would hate to think I’m dimwitted especially with a title like “Stinkfist” but I was shocked when it dawned on me that the song was about anal sex, not just that, but bored angry sex because of needed the pain to feel alive. > Still love the song though. And stinkfist isn’t even the creepiest Tool song. “Prison Sex” is all about a small boy recalling being molested. (Take a look at the muisc video sometime if you want to be creeped out.) ---
**Author:** ![angelicate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@angelicate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/angelicate)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2004, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/218 "2004-03-22T05:23:46Z")
> [@Diane](#): > > Hey creepy, I think it is sexy too! > > BTW, I always thought it was a song about a vampire because of these lines: > I can promise you > You’ll stay as beautiful > With dark hair > And soft skin…forever > Forever I always thought the song was really sexy, and felt kind of creepy for thinking so. 🙂 BTW- I never thought the song was about vampires until recently. Someone asked me about the Toadies and I mentioned that they might know them from “Posum Kingdom” and while looking up lyrics so I could add a link, found a page with the vampire theory. I always thought those lines just meant that she would stay beautiful forever, because he was going to kill her, and everyone would remember her as the beautiful, young, dark haired, soft-skinned girl that she was when she died. ---
**Author:** ![St\_Ides](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ccd318/32.png) [@St\_Ides](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St_Ides)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2004, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/219 "2004-03-22T05:40:14Z")
[Semi Charmed Life by Third Eye Blind](http://www.musicfanclubs.org/3eb/3eblyrics/lyrics_semi.htm) Most people just think it’s a good sounding song… Then look at the lyrics. It’s about oral sex and doing drugs. ---
**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:** [March 22, 2004, 6:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639/220 "2004-03-22T06:20:50Z")
An oldie but a goodie… _Band of Gold_ by Freda Payne: > [@](#): > > You took me from > The shelter of my mother I had never known > Or loved any other > We kissed after taking vows > But that night on our honeymoon > We stayed in separate rooms > > I wait at night > In the darkness of my lonely room > Filled with sadness, filled with gloom > Hoping soon, that you’ll walk > Back through that door > And love me like you tried before An entire song about impotence! On the wedding night! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ordinary-songs-that-no-one-notices-are-actually-creepy/233639.md?page=12)