Perhaps one of a unique skills a songwriter can have is the ability to incorporate hidden meanings into their lyrics. For quite a while now, multitudes of great musicians and renowned songwriters have been known to convey rather serious and controversial topics in their music and sugarcoat them with lush instrumentals and exuberant melodies. In this list, we will take a look at ten songs that you've probably heard at some point in your life, and how those songwriters have convinced you to think one way while they intend a completely different way.

10. "Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)" - Green Day

While Green Day has always been one of those bands which have generally been bold and assertive with their music and lyrics, this song, in particular, stands out as perhaps one of their most lighthearted. It's no surprise that this song is often used as part of a high school graduation playlist, or to say "good riddance" to all that was holding you back in the past and empower yourself to move on and live life to the fullest.

Turns out, it's really an emotional breakup song. Lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong wrote this tune about his girlfriend moving to South America and the overwhelming pain he underwent when he lost her. The lyrics express moving forward, knowing everything is meant to happen for a reason. However, you'd never be able to detect the melancholy of the song with the gleeful string section and uplifting melodies.

9. "Blackbird" - The Beatles

The Beatles are among the founding fathers of obscured lyrics in songwriting. Paul McCartney wrote this track about the Civil Rights Movement, and the song is more symbolic than most would tend to believe. The "blackbird" itself represents a discriminated African-American citizen who must "take these broken wings" (prejudice against their race) and "learn to fly" (stand above racism and persevere).

8. "Summer Of '69" - Bryan Adams

While most may perceive this 80s classic as a track about nostalgia and reflecting back on the good ol' days when things were much simpler and we were young, wild and free rebel-rousers, Adams seems to intend an entirely different approach to the tune's meaning.

Summer of '69 does not, in fact, have anything to do with Adams' childhood. The song's title refers to the sex position, and the song itself pertains to "doing the deed" during those hot summer nights. Although certain lines throughout the song regard his days as a youngster, Adams has us duped once again with his lyrical prowess.

7. "Orange Crush" - R.E.M.

I don't know about you, but the first thing I think about when I hear this song's title is the orange-flavored soda. Although many can interpret this song's lyrics differently, very few are actually able to determine what they truly mean without looking it up somewhere. "Orange Crush" actually refers to Agent Orange, a chemical used by US soldiers to exfoliate jungles in battlefields during the Vietnam War. Lead singer of Michael Stipe simply wrote this song because he had lived during this period of social unrest, and had an immense fascination with it.

6. "Semi-Charmed Life" - Third Eye Blind

Without a doubt, one of the most iconic songs of the 90s has made the list. Many have a huge nostalgic notion with this song while others will probably spend car rides listening to this track on repeat, attempting to memorize all the lyrics of the first verse. I mean, how can you not?

The upbeat instrumentals mixed with an energy-ridden melody and perhaps the catchiest hook you've ever heard in your life make for quite a remarkable tune.

This song is actually about a friend battling a crystal meth addiction. Just listen to the chorus again and you'll pick up on it.

5. "Closing Time" - Semisonic

Moving on to another 90s classic, Semisonic's "Closing Time", had become the trademark song for bars and clubs to play once they, as you can imagine, closed up. Lines such as "Once last chance for alcohol" and "You don't have to go home but you can't stay here" definitely create an imagery of leaving the bar after a long night of drinking and socializing, but they also reflect lead singer Dan Wilson's experiences on becoming a parent to his first-born child.

4. "In The Air Tonight" - Phil Collins

Phil Collins seemed to have acquired a songwriting mastery that few other of his contemporaries could have replicated. The 80s banger, as well as the air-drum classic, was misconstrued by many.

The lyrics themselves depict imagery of Phil's frustration towards a man not lending a hand to save another man's life. This lyric was even dark and controversial at face value. However, when he revealed that the song was truly about his ex-wife, many of his fans and listeners stood in shock, just as you probably are now reading this.

3. "Careless Whisper" - Wham!

Aside from its signature saxophone riff, this song is also well known for its gloomy, forbidding atmosphere and personal lyrics. The lyrics in this tune appear to be describing a breakup, particularly one lead singer George Michael had gone through during high school. While George Michael's lyrics predominantly explain personal experiences he encountered, the story in this song is entirely made up. In fact, he wrote the entire thing while riding a bus in New York City.

2. "Imagine" - John Lennon

Since its release in 1970, "Imagine" has become a staple song for world peace and living together in harmony and as one. This song has been used in commercials, fundraisers and organizations that promote peace or are against war, racism and inequality.

Lennon attested to this, claiming that the song expressed many ideas of communism. During an interview, he asserted that the song was "virtually the communist manifesto". Lennon also expressed his beliefs in atheism through this song, explaining how religion has practically divided our society and how he longs for the world where these separations do not exist.

1. "Every Breath You Take" - The Police

While many think this is a love song, the lyrics express nothing of the sort. This song is about an obsessive stalker. You might want to be aware of that before you play it at your wedding, or during the slow dance at a party. This track is yet another great example of how frontman Sting masks morbid lyrics behind lively melodies and emotional instrumentals.