It’s true that you can’t judge a book by its cover. The same idea can apply to music. A tune or an overall feeling of a song doesn’t always match up with the deeper meaning of the song. There are thousands of songs that you mindlessly sing along to, but you never realize what you’re singing until you analyze the lyrics. I decided to compile a list of other songs that sound a lot different from the true meaning of the song.
1.“You Are My Sunshine”- Johnny Cash
As a kid, my mom would sing this to me. For the longest time, I never really listened to the full version to the song. I’ve always heard happy renditions of this song, so when I would listen to the Johnny Cash version I never paid attention to anything but the seemingly happy chorus. Then, there came a day when I noticed the verse where Johnny Cash sings,
“But now you've left me and love another
You have shattered all of my dreams.”
You will never hear this song the same after you notice this line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGa3zFRqDn4
2.“Cleopatra”- The Lumineers
If you listen to the head-bobbing instrumental part, you feel great until you hear, “And when I die alone, when I die alone, when I die I’ll be on time.” Though the lyrics hum a melancholy tale, the song itself has an uplifting feel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN5s9N_pTUs
3.“Time of Your Life (Good Riddance)”- Green Day
I never noticed how many feelings this song provokes until I listened to it on my graduation day.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnQ8N1KacJc
4.“Ring Around the Rosie”- Nursery Rhyme
It’s not creepy until the lines are sung by a bunch of demonic kids in a horror movie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A1yK0YU6U0
5.“Cotton Eye Joe”- Rednex
Cotton Eye Joe is the original Mr. Steal Yo Girl. Go ahead and dance with her while you can before Cotton Eye Joe swings in and leaves you saying, “Where did you come from, where did you go?”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyvkiZV0Ous
6.“Pumped Up Kicks”- Foster the People
This song is meant to have a slightly eerily cheerful beat. However, a closer listen to the lyrics will reveal the true intent behind the song. According to an article on Songfacts.com, Foster wrote the song with the intentions of raising attention to school shootings by writing the song from the perspective of the shooter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDTZ7iX4vTQ
7.“Say You Won’t Let Go”- James Arthur
For any person in a relationship this song may seem like another love song that you can romantically dance to in the kitchen. However, single people know this love-y, happy song actually has enough power to make you believe James Arthur is singing about you, until you realize he’s not, and then you ugly cry. Ah the power of a swoon-worthy love song, am I right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yW7w8F2TVA
8.“It’s a Beautiful Day”- Michael Bublé
For any person in a relationship this song may seem like another love song that you can romantically dance to in the kitchen. However, single people know this love-y, happy song actually has enough power to make you believe James Arthur is singing about you, until you realize he’s not, and then you ugly cry. Ah the power of a swoon-worthy love song, am I right?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QYxuGQMCuU
9.“Terrible Things”- Mayday Parade
The title of this song kind of gives it away, but it doesn’t start off as it sounds. It talks about a love story that ends in an unexpected tragedy. It makes you hopeful and happy until the end.
10. “I Hate”- Passenger
The title of this song kind of gives it away, but it doesn’t start off as it sounds. It talks about a love story that ends in an unexpected tragedy. It makes you hopeful and happy until the end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otFmtLe9NvM
Every song tells a story, but sometimes you have to pay more attention to find the real meaning behind the song.
