# Real Meanings Behind Pop Songs **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 12, 2001, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689 "2001-03-12T19:06:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jonathan43](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@Jonathan43](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan43)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/1 "2001-03-12T19:06:50Z")
The other day I was listening to a Lou Reed album and a friend mentioned that the song “Perfect Day” was about heroin. I was astonished at this news as I had always thought of it a tender and romantic account of a day idled away by two star-crossed lovers. The chorus does seem to bear this out…“I’m glad I spent it with you/Such a perfect day/You just keep me hanging on” The music too seems to echo the stoned, warm fug of Lou’s journey from zoo to park to home, blissed out on Class A drugs. Now, I can’t think of this song in any other way. Does anyone else have an example of a surprising slant on a well known song? ---
**Author:** ![mouthbreather](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@mouthbreather](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mouthbreather)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/2 "2001-03-12T19:19:47Z")
“Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Same deal, about herion addiction. I know this isn’t by any means a secret but I’d be surprised if most people knew this. I don’t think it would have made # 1 if they had. (It did go #1, didn’t it? Regardless, it was pretty popular when it came out…all over radio and MTV). ---
**Author:** ![Monkey\_Chews](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/65b543/32.png) [@Monkey\_Chews](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monkey_Chews)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/3 "2001-03-12T20:11:22Z")
Gawd, so how many songs are actually about heroine? “There She Goes” by The La’s. Sounds like a breezy love song. But among the many things “she” goes doing are “Racing through my brain”, “Pulsing through my vein” and “Chasing down my lane”. (This one’s fairly well known though.) ---
**Author:** ![Falcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/49beb7/32.png) [@Falcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falcon)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/4 "2001-03-12T20:55:54Z")
Gotta bring out the two perennial misinterpreted songs: “Every Breath You Take,” by the Police, and “Possession,” by Sarah McLachlan. THEY ARE NOT LOVE SONGS! They’re about STALKERS!!! ARGH! ---
**Author:** ![Crusoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@Crusoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crusoe)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/5 "2001-03-12T21:16:19Z")
“Turning Japanese” by The Vapors is about masturbation. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/6 "2001-03-12T21:37:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mouthbreather \* > \*\*“Under the Bridge” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. > > Same deal, about herion addiction. I know this isn’t by any means a secret but I’d be surprised if most people knew this. I don’t think it would have made # 1 if they had. (It did go #1, didn’t it? Regardless, it was pretty popular when it came out…all over radio and MTV). \*\* Yeah but arguably it could just be a song about a lonely guy. Where do you get the heroin parallels? ---
**Author:** ![Purd\_Werfect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e47c2d/32.png) [@Purd\_Werfect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Purd_Werfect)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/7 "2001-03-12T21:44:54Z")
And here I thought the real meanings behind most pop songs was “I want to be rich, famous, and have many folks intrigued with the idea of having sex with me”. ---
**Author:** ![Weirddave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/919ad9/32.png) [@Weirddave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weirddave)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/8 "2001-03-12T21:53:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nicko \* > \*\*Gawd, so how many songs are actually about heroin? > \*\* “What’s going on?” By 4 Non Blonds. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/9 "2001-03-12T22:00:56Z")
Semisonic’s “Closing Time” is apparently about last call at the bar, but I later read a story in which Dan Wilson said it was really about the difficult birth of his child. R.E.M.'s “The One I Love” was written about bitter betrayal, although it became a prom favorite because people thought it was about love. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/2X/e/e489c3b7d8fce19c4b355dd4fc3f88cc39c34b87.png) [@system](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/system)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/10 "2001-03-12T22:29:44Z")
“Pink Cadillac” and “Boot Scoot Boogie”. So obvious that I shouldn’t have to say it. (Get down, turn around, go to town, boot scoot boogie) ---
**Author:** ![Gregor\_Samsa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a6a055/32.png) [@Gregor\_Samsa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gregor_Samsa)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/11 "2001-03-12T23:10:25Z")
Apparently, _Baby on Board_ by the **B-Sharps** is about drug use as well. It makes perfect sense if you really listen the lyrics. _**Baby on board, How I’ve adored, That sign on my car’s windowpane. Bounce in my step, Loaded with pep, ‘Cause I’m drivin’ in the carpool lane. Call me a square, Friend, I don’t care. That little yellow sign can’t be ignored. I’m tellin’ you it’s mighty nice. Each trip’s like a trip to paradise With my baby on board.**_ ---
**Author:** ![Rally\_Vincent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c37758/32.png) [@Rally\_Vincent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rally_Vincent)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/12 "2001-03-12T23:28:49Z")
Tells you what I know, I always thought Under the Bridge was about suicide. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/13 "2001-03-12T23:42:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Zoggie \* > \*\*Yeah but arguably it could just be a song about a lonely guy. > > Where do you get the heroin parallels? \*\* Anthony Kiedis (sp?) has been widly quoted as saying it is. From here: [http://www.rollingstone.com/features/pop100/song.asp?ID=54](http://www.rollingstone.com/features/pop100/song.asp?ID=54) > [@](#): > > It’s obviously a very emotional song for us," says Red Hot Chili Peppers singer Anthony Kiedis about their hit ballad “Under the Bridge.” The 1991 track was inspired by Kiedis’ struggles with heroin; both he and guitarist John Frusciante were coping with addiction, and founding guitarist Hillel Slovak had died of an overdose in 1988. ---
**Author:** ![Sue\_Duhnym](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/91b2a8/32.png) [@Sue\_Duhnym](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sue_Duhnym)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/14 "2001-03-12T23:46:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nicko \* > \*\*Gawd, so how many songs are actually about heroine? \*\* “I’m Not an Addict” by Kay’s Choice ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2001, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/15 "2001-03-12T23:53:30Z")
“Chestnut Mare” by the Byrds is all about a sexual encounter. The “mare” is a metaphor, as is most of the rest of the song. “She’ll be just like a wife.” Think about it and then listen to the lyrics. I know of at least one radio station that thought “I Don’t Like Mondays” by the Boomtown Rats would be a great song to use to promote an “I Don’t Like Mondays” contest. It was promoted, but dropped, probably because someone explained them what the song was about (someone shooting other students in her school). Another heroin song is Billy Joel’s “Captain Jack.” “But Captain Jack will get you high tonight.” ---
**Author:** ![absoul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@absoul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/absoul)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2001, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/16 "2001-03-13T00:56:37Z")
On Fear’s album “More Beer” I have noticed many misconceptions about the title song “More beer”. Here is an exceprt from that song- " beer more beer more beer all want is more beer more beer and when wake up in the mournin’ my mouth’s all parched and dry and i crawl to the refrigerator and peek inside and i’m hopin’ and i’m prayin’ i hope there’s one more beer more beer more beer " …as you can clearly see this song is about chicken. Chicken all over his plate. I cant even begin to coment on the song “I’ll have another beer” from their albumn -Have another beer with Fear. I mean, come on people! ---
**Author:** ![panamajack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/47e85d/32.png) [@panamajack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panamajack)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2001, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/17 "2001-03-13T01:23:07Z")
A song by the Chili Peppers that’s overtly about heroin (actually avoiding it, of course) is [Knock Me Down]([http://home.swipnet.se/~w-61895/rhcp/mothers.htm#KNOCK](http://home.swipnet.se/~w-61895/rhcp/mothers.htm#KNOCK) ME DOWN) from Mother’s Milk. pipeliner, now I finally understand what that ‘little yellow sign’ really meant! For those who don’t know, one of the biggest suppliers of heroin to the US in the mid-80’s was the Indo-Asian Cartel (or ‘Cartel Indo-Asienne’ as they were known). Their packages were shipped as ‘auto parts’ with the company logo, a distinctive tilted yellow square which was recognized by well-connected dealers everywhere. As for songs with hidden meanings, Don McLean’s “Vincent” is [a tribute to Vincent Lombardi](http://www.mcsweeneys.net/2001/01/12donmclean.html). Tesla’s [What You Give](http://lyricspoint.com/tewyg.shtml) was written upon the death of the singer’s dog ( I heard this in '92 or '93 during a radio interview when he performed it live). ---
**Author:** ![CnoteChris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/278dde/32.png) [@CnoteChris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CnoteChris)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2001, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/18 "2001-03-13T02:17:36Z")
Don’t hold me to this, but I had always heard that the song **‘Jeremy’** by Pearl Jam was about a kid that went in a shot up his classroom. Kinda fitting these days, if it’s actually true. But keep in mind, I’m horrible when it comes to songs/meanings/lyrics. I once thought the lyrics to Van Halen’s **‘Panama’** went, ‘Bang a gong. Bang aAA gAAaaooonggg’ ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2001, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/19 "2001-03-13T02:33:05Z")
Well, “Ana Ng” is a man singing about a woman from the exact opposite side of the Earth, who he will never meet. And “Eight Miles High” by The Byrds is about a plane trip across the Atlantic. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [March 13, 2001, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/20 "2001-03-13T02:44:18Z")
Oh dear God, we arn’t allowed to talk about the secret meanings of They Might Be Giants songs here, are we? I will be watching this thread intently. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689.md?page=2)