# 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:** 5
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/81 "2001-03-14T17:08:54Z")
Re: Happiness is a Warm Gun “Mother Superior” was one of John’s names for Yoko, and I always associated the first section of the song with masturbation (but that’s just me). Just thought I’d mention it. Q: What are “the bits” in: “I need a fix 'cause I’m going down / Down to the bits that I left uptown” ---
**Author:** ![Winnowill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4491bb/32.png) [@Winnowill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnowill)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/82 "2001-03-14T17:27:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pepperlandgirl \* > \*\*“You Look Wonderful Tonight” is about someone who just ended an affair?!?! > Well, I went and read they lyrics, and you know what? It doesn’t mention having an affair at all. It doesn’t even _infere_ it, so I’m confused. Where did you get that meaning? \*\* Mea Culpa. I got a little confused. There is a song out there that people use in weddings that’s about that. “Wonderful Tonight” is the one about the guy who gets tanked at a party and his wife has to help him to bed. Still not something I’d use in my wedding. ---
**Author:** ![BobSchroeck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@BobSchroeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobSchroeck)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/83 "2001-03-14T17:56:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by VarlosZ \* > \*\*_Norwegian Wood_: Not what the song’s about, but: the narrator burns down the cabin at the end. Took me a long time to catch on to this. > \*\* In one of his stories (“God is an Iron”, I think, now part of the novel _Mindkiller_), Spider Robinson suggests that “Norwegian Wood” is a pun for/obscuring of “Knowing She Would”, about the woman’s casual acceptance of a sexual element in their new relationship. Or something like that. It’s been a long time since I read it. – Bob ---
**Author:** ![BobSchroeck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@BobSchroeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobSchroeck)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/84 "2001-03-14T17:59:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by woodstockbirdybird \* > \*\*Other songs about (and allegedly about) masturbation: > Damn, I used to know a whole bunch, but this is all I can think of right now. I’ll keep you updated. \*\* _She-bop,_ by Cyndi Lauper _I Touch Myself,_ by the Divinyls Or are they too obvious? \ – Bob ---
**Author:** ![BobSchroeck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@BobSchroeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobSchroeck)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/85 "2001-03-14T18:02:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by bwanasimba \* > **Not sure what you caught on to (would love an explanation), but the original title of the song was _“Knowing She Would”_.** I think your DJ was a Spider Robinson reader, **bwanasimba** … **pldennison** is, as far as I know, right that there isn’t any evidence that the song was ever actually called that. – Bob ---
**Author:** ![BobSchroeck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@BobSchroeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobSchroeck)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/86 "2001-03-14T18:15:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hometownboy \* > **Thanks BigStar303IIRC, Spider wrote a short story in which Paul, George & Ringo had John cryonicly (sp?) preserved and reawakend some years later (when he would be chronologicly 64). The story is laden with Beatles references of all sorts, so much so that Spider provides an afterword which explains them all.** Of course, the best reference is the title of the story – _Rubber Soul_. As Spider said in the afterword, there was something attractive about the idea of John Lennon’s soul bouncing back to earth like a cosmic bad check. – Bob ---
**Author:** ![Winnowill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4491bb/32.png) [@Winnowill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winnowill)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/87 "2001-03-14T18:16:00Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BobSchroeck \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by woodstockbirdybird \* > > \*\*Other songs about (and allegedly about) masturbation: > > Damn, I used to know a whole bunch, but this is all I can think of right now. I’ll keep you updated. \*\* > > _She-bop,_ by Cyndi Lauper > _I Touch Myself,_ by the Divinyls > > Or are they too obvious? \ > > – Bob \*\* _Icicle_ by Tori Amos. ---
**Author:** ![seawitch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@seawitch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/seawitch)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/88 "2001-03-14T18:45:33Z")
The one masturbation song I haven’t seen mentioned yet would be “Rosie” by Jackson Browne - “Rosie, you’re all right, you wear my ring” sure makes sense if you’re thinking about “Rosie Palms” - but then, this is something I heard once from a drunk, and have been too lazy to research. Anyone else ever hear of this one? ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/89 "2001-03-14T22:39:16Z")
> [@](#): > > Pepperlandgirl’s alternate explanation, which I’ve also considered, is equally viable, assuming the > singer really is from Tennesse, which we have no way of knowing from the song. Well, I’ll look it up for you… According to [Nashville Song Writers Hall of Fame: David Loggins](http://vhost.telalink.net/~nsf/loggins.html) > [@](#): > > Birth Name: David Allen Loggins > Induction Year: 1995 > Date of Birth: 11/10/1947 > Place of Birth: Mountain City, TN > Former Occupations: > > ``` > draftsman, insurance sales > > ``` Insurance sales might include traveling, and being a singer/songwriter definitely would take him all over the country. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2001, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/90 "2001-03-14T23:49:08Z")
Nocturne the mention of Hotel California having to do with drugs… it might but I don’t know. I’ve always thought of it as a sort of hell on earth type thing. ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2001, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/91 "2001-03-15T00:28:35Z")
According to [Cecil Adams Himself](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_001.html) > [@](#): > > (4) Hotel California is a metaphor for cocaine addiction. See “You can check out any time you like but you can never leave.” > This comes from the published comments of Glenn Frey, one of the coauthors. ---
**Author:** ![Hometownboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/5e9695/32.png) [@Hometownboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hometownboy)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2001, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/92 "2001-03-15T01:41:48Z")
Thanks to **BigStar303** and **Pepperland Girl** for the insights on Please Come to Boston. If the composer is from Tennessee, and the song is in any way autobiographical, then the girl singing is talking about him. Sweet, and thanks for tying that one up. Also, thanks to the other Spider fans for coming up with the background on the “Knowing She Would.” Too wiped out last night to do a proper search. ---
**Author:** ![BigStar303](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dec6dc/32.png) [@BigStar303](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigStar303)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2001, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/93 "2001-03-15T01:59:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BobSchroeck \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by Hometownboy \* > > **Thanks BigStar303IIRC, Spider wrote a short story in which Paul, George & Ringo had John cryonicly (sp?) preserved and reawakend some years later (when he would be chronologicly 64). The story is laden with Beatles references of all sorts, so much so that Spider provides an afterword which explains them all.** > > Of course, the best reference is the title of the story – _Rubber Soul_. As Spider said in the afterword, there was something attractive about the idea of John Lennon’s soul bouncing back to earth like a cosmic bad check. > > – Bob \*\* I found a scan of this story. Two things: 1. If Spider made the comment you attribute to him, Bob, he didn’t make it in the version of the story I have. Perhaps it was published elsewhere as well. 2. There is no reference in my version of “Rubber Soul” to “Norwegian Wood” or “Knowing She Would.” Maybe this was in another Spider Robinson story. ---
**Author:** ![Billy\_Rubin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/billy_rubin/32/3622_2.png) [@Billy\_Rubin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Billy_Rubin)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2001, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/94 "2001-03-15T02:30:50Z")
OK, anyone else know of a song with a “safe sex” reference other than “The Fez” by Fagin & Becker? ---
**Author:** ![Dignan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dignan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dignan)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2001, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/95 "2001-03-15T05:42:04Z")
> [@](#): > > Gawd, so how many songs are actually about heroin? “Pool Shark” by Sublime is supposedley about heroin. Brad Nowell (the lead singer) OD’ed, so take it for what it’s worth. ---
**Author:** ![Randy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2acd7d/32.png) [@Randy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Randy)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2001, 6:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/96 "2001-03-15T06:19:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by pepperlandgirl \* > \*\*According to [Cecil Adams Himself](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_001.html) > > > [@](#): > > > > (4) Hotel California is a metaphor for cocaine addiction. See “You can check out any time you like but you can never leave.” > > This comes from the published comments of Glenn Frey, one of the coauthors. > > \*\* **Hotel California** is, I have always heard, a song about dying, or the songwriters interpretation of the afterlife. ---
**Author:** ![Darqangelle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecccb3/32.png) [@Darqangelle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darqangelle)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2001, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/97 "2001-03-15T11:38:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jadailey \* > **Then there are the songs people use at weddings without ever really listening to the lyrics:** Amen, brother… refer to previous post regarding Sarah McLachlan’s “Possession” But I was also a tad alarmed at couples who’d pick “Hold On My Heart” by Genesis. It’s a song about a guy who’s entered a new relationship after having his heart broken from a previous one and telling himself, “Don’t tell her you love her. Don’t let her see you cry” and basically withholding his feeling for the girl. Good song and appropriate for many situations, but not a wedding’s first dance… ---
**Author:** ![BobSchroeck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/13edae/32.png) [@BobSchroeck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobSchroeck)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2001, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/98 "2001-03-15T12:58:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BigStar303 \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > \*Originally posted by BobSchroeck \* > > **Of course, the best reference is the title of the story – _Rubber Soul_. As Spider said in the afterword, there was something attractive about the idea of John Lennon’s soul bouncing back to earth like a cosmic bad check.** > > 1. If Spider made the comment you attribute to him, Bob, he didn’t make it in the version of the story I have. Perhaps it was published elsewhere as well.\*\* Actually, I’m not the one who said it was in “Rubber Soul”. I said it was in “God is an Iron”, originally published as a short story but now part of the novel _Mindkiller._ – Bob ---
**Author:** ![pepperlandgirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f17d59/32.png) [@pepperlandgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pepperlandgirl)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2001, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/99 "2001-03-15T15:53:30Z")
Hey, speaking of wedding songs, is “Fields of Gold” inappropriate? I don’t _think_ there are any hidden, sad meanings behind that song, but I’m not a very objective person when it comes to Sting… ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2001, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689/100 "2001-03-15T16:05:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by woodstockbirdybird \* > \*\*Other songs about (and allegedly about) masturbation: > Damn, I used to know a whole bunch, but this is all I can think of right now. I’ll keep you updated. \*\* Springsteen’s “Blinded by the Light” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/real-meanings-behind-pop-songs/57689.md?page=6)