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The beauty of music is that everyone can listen to it differently. Different songs can touch people in different ways, and everyone can have a one-of-a-kind listening experience.
The meanings of songs can have many interpretations. There are some people who can listen to a song and assume it means one thing. However, when they pay closer attention, they realize that their favorite songs might actually have a deeper meaning. That is what makes the listening experience so exciting. When paying attention to the lyrics of these songs, you may discover a meaning that is deeper than the surface level.
The best way to discover the deep meanings of songs is to do lyric research. You can use a lyrics database website like SonicsHits. SonicHits is a song lyrics, meaning, and music video service. It is a great place to learn the truth about songs. They have a full lyrics catalog with line-by-line and complete song explanations. Users can also search by just a part of the lyrics or by artist, track or album title. This website can help you find a new hidden meaning.
1. “Semi-Charmed Life” by Third Eye Blind
With the catchy “doo doo doo, doo doo doo” and the poppy sound, “Semi-Charmed Life” became a massive hit across airwaves. However, that does not mean the song’s meaning was cheerful. Listening closely, you may realize that the song is about doing crystal meth and the fake happiness that comes with it. You can be clued into this meaning by listening to the lyrics, but you might be distracted by the fun sound that made this song famous.
2. “Every Breath You Take” by The Police
Like many other songs by The Police, “Every Breath You Take” might first come across as a sweet love song. That is why people often want to play the song at weddings and slow dances. However, the song has a sinister real-life meaning when you look at the lyrics. The song is actually about a scorned lover who is possessive, jealous, and a bit of a stalker. The lyrics are not out of happy love but of an angry love. People plainly listen to the lyrics without thinking about their deeper meaning. If they did think about it, listeners would probably no longer aspire to this love.
3. “Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People
“Pumped Up Kicks” became a hit song for its catchy tune and seemingly positive energy. However, you might not have listened closely to the lyrics and learned the meaning of this song. In reality, the song has a dark story. It’s about a troubled student who wants to commit a school shooting due to mental health issues. The song addresses issues of gun violence and mental health in a creative way. When you listen to this song for fun, you may not fully understand what is beneath the surface.
4. “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen
“Born in the U.S.A.” is seen as a true American anthem. People interpret the song as being about American pride due to the powerful melody and the title of the song. However, this popular interpretation is actually the opposite of what’s intended and the lyrics. The song is about some of the hardships that veterans, specifically Vietnam War veterans, have faced after the war and the disillusionment with the country that comes with it. The title is supposed to be ironic, but Americans have wanted to ignore the lyrics and claim the song is patriotic.
As we’ve seen, there’s often much more to many songs than meets the ear. We often just focus on the melody or maybe just sing along to the chorus without thinking deeply about the lyrics. However, if you learn to listen closely, you can hear that your favorite songs have an interesting story. There are a lot of songs that have these deep meanings, but people will only find these meanings if they think to look at the lyrics.
