# Songs used in a context that's different from the intent of the song **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [November 9, 2020, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185 "2020-11-09T23:55:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [November 9, 2020, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/1 "2020-11-09T23:55:37Z")
This thread [Is “Yakety Sax” inherently funny, or are we just conditioned into considering it funny by Benny Hill?](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-yakety-sax-inherently-funny-or-are-we-just-conditioned-into-considering-it-funny-by-benny-hill/924942) got me to thinking about songs that are completely the opposite of the context they’re used in. _Entrance of the Gladiators_ aka The Circus or Clown song is a military march _Ride of the Valkyries_ is about Valkyrie sisters calling and waiting for fallen warrior to take them to Valhala. Watch this “exciting” operatic moment: _[The MET Live in HD 2019: Die Walkure - Ride of the Valkyries - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSuRJueqsQg)_ “Hey you’re dead! Come to your reward!” _Go Your Own Way_ is used in a couple of recent commercials as a “This is a n upbeat positive message!\* Nope. It’s an “F” You!” from Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham to Stevie Nicks. ---
**Author:** ![WildaBeast](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wildabeast/32/6_2.png) [@WildaBeast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WildaBeast)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/2 "2020-11-10T00:08:17Z")
> [@Didi44](#): > > _Entrance of the Gladiators_ aka The Circus or Clown song is a military march The same goes for “The Liberty Bell March”, which most people probably associate with _Monty Python’s Flying Circus_. ---
**Author:** ![F.U.Shakespeare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/aca169/32.png) [@F.U.Shakespeare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.U.Shakespeare)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/3 "2020-11-10T00:08:59Z")
One could argue that the first appearance of [Always Look on the Bright Side of Life](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Always_Look_on_the_Bright_Side_of_Life) was in an ironic context. In any event, its use at sporting events is certainly a different setting than the original. ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/4 "2020-11-10T00:19:13Z")
Royal Caribbean used Iggy Pop’s song _Lust For Life_ in a commercial advertising the joys of ocean cruising. The song is about heroin addiction. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/5 "2020-11-10T00:30:55Z")
_Barracuda_ used by Sarah Palin. _Heart_ issued a cease and desist order saying: “Sarah Palin’s views and values in NO WAY represent us as American women. We ask that our song ‘Barracuda’ no longer be used to promote her image. The song ‘Barracuda’ was written in the late ’70s as a scathing rant against the soulless, corporate nature of the music business, particularly for women. (The ‘barracuda’ represented the business.) While Heart did not and would not authorize the use of their song at the RNC, there’s irony in Republican strategists’ choice to make use of it there.” ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/6 "2020-11-10T00:49:10Z")
I’ve been to an embarrassing number of Independence Day fireworks displays that incorporated “Born in the USA” into the blaring song mix. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/7 "2020-11-10T00:53:19Z")
Sting has said that he’s disconcerted by how many people tell him that they played the Police’s _Every Breath You Take_ (which is about a obsessive, jilted lover) at their weddings. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/8 "2020-11-10T00:57:33Z")
The Sting reference made me think of Sarah McLachlan’s _Possession_ getting the same treatment. But that led my mind to the significantly stronger weirdness of McLachlan’s _Angel_, a song about overdosing on heroin, becoming the stray dogs & cats anthem. And with Ms. McLachlan’s blessing as well. ---
**Author:** ![aurora\_maire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aurora_maire/32/328_2.png) [@aurora\_maire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aurora_maire)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/9 "2020-11-10T01:18:53Z")
People use the Pearl Jam song “Better Man” at weddings. > [@](#): > > She lies and says she’s in love with him, can’t find a better man And it’s not even like the lyrics are unclear - it’s about an abused woman. 🤦‍♀️ ---
**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:** [November 10, 2020, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/10 "2020-11-10T01:31:50Z")
I’ve caught several commercials using Dave Mason’s “Feelin’ Alright?” in a cheerful context. The song is about depression after a breakup, and they always leave out the next line: “not Feelin’ too good myself.” I saw Lyle Lovett live on PBS taking call in requests. On woman asked to hear “L.A. County,” which they played at their wedding. The song is about a stalker who tracks a woman down and shoots her and her husband at the church altar. Lovett said, “Do you know what that song is _about_?” She said, “Well, we changed some of the lyrics.” ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/11 "2020-11-10T03:36:18Z")
I’ve heard people use a cover of Cohen’s Hallelujah in religious contexts–without changing the lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/12 "2020-11-10T04:18:45Z")
> [@Jophiel](#): > > I’ve been to an embarrassing number of Independence Day fireworks displays that incorporated “Born in the USA” into the blaring song mix. I was going to suggest the same song, but when it gets used for (republican) political campaigns. Look, I get it, they hear ‘born in the usa’ and assume it’s a patriotic song. But for all the vetting and PR that goes on behind the scenes, you’d think someone would look at the lyrics to the songs they use. With a song like that, you don’t even have to get into symbolism. It shouldn’t take more than 30 seconds to realize that “So they put a rifle in my hand. Sent me off to a foreign land. To go and kill the yellow man” might not be as “I love my country” as they think it is. Similarly, Fortunate Son. The meaning might be buried a hair deeper than it is in Born in the USA, but it’s still there. Then there’s Every Breath You Take used at weddings. I’ll give people credit for that one since it’s not immediately obvious what the song is (actually) about and it’s just a couple picking out music for the DJ to play at the reception, it’s not that their careers could be derailed by the wrong music choice. Well, unless you’re an older man marrying a barely 18 year old and choose Don’t Stand So Close To Me. That might squick people out. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/13 "2020-11-10T04:31:57Z")
> [@aurora\_maire](#): > > People use the Pearl Jam song “Better Man” at weddings. > > > [@](#): > > > > She lies and says she’s in love with him, can’t find a better man > > And it’s not even like the lyrics are unclear - it’s about an abused woman. 🤦‍♀️ This is the first time I have heard of this being played at weddings. It’s such an obviously sad song about a terrible relationship. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/14 "2020-11-10T04:55:59Z")
“Here She Comes” by the La’s, and later remade into a big hit by Sixpence None The Richer, is also about heroin addiction. IDK if it’s been used in commercials, but it’s played in places where it has a positive connotation. And then there are the “love songs” that really aren’t. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/15 "2020-11-10T04:56:48Z")
I’ve always found it hilarious that _YMCA_, which is about looking for anonymous gay sex, has become a standard at weddings and sporting events. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/16 "2020-11-10T04:57:34Z")
“The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” has also been used by the Humane Society, also with Roberta Flack’s approval (and appearance in that commercial). I have a feeling that the line “The first time ever I lay with you…” is not about a pet curling up in your bed at night. ---
**Author:** ![Lamoral](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lamoral/32/16078_2.png) [@Lamoral](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamoral)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/17 "2020-11-10T05:01:01Z")
> [@nearwildheaven](#): > > “Here She Comes” by the La’s, and later remade into a big hit by Sixpence None The Richer, is also about heroin addiction. It’s actually “There She Goes.” ---
**Author:** ![Kron](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kron/32/12444_2.png) [@Kron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kron)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/18 "2020-11-10T05:07:14Z")
Got the pronoun right! 😜 ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/19 "2020-11-10T05:30:58Z")
There was a commercial, maybe for Chevy or Ford trucks that used the first two lines from CCr’s _Fortunate Son:_ and I nearly choked expecting the next lines, which of course weren’t used: _Some folks are born made to wave the flag_ _Ooh, they’re red, white and blue_ _And when the band plays Hail to the Chief_ _Ooh, they point the cannon at you, Lord_ Another WTF! moment was the short commercial spot for the Mercedes CLA driving down the road that used the first two lines of _Sympathy for the Devil_. What! You want to associate your car with Satan?! I just found the full length Superbowl commercial that I’ve never seen before and it makes sense within that context, but not in a 15 second commercial. ---
**Author:** ![UDS1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e47774/32.png) [@UDS1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS1)\ **Post date:** [November 10, 2020, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185/20 "2020-11-10T06:29:23Z")
Janis Joplin’s Mercedes Benz has several times been used in TV ads for Mercedes-Benz cars. The song is generally considered to be a satire, with the Mercedes-Benz brand typifying the illusory promises of consumerist materialism. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/songs-used-in-a-context-thats-different-from-the-intent-of-the-song/925185.md?page=2)