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Interpreting Songs

Posted: 17 Jun 2016, 23:33
by Gravy
Some songs are pretty straightforward in their meaning, with little or no room for interpretation. However, some songs, even if they're meaning seems cut and dry, can be interpreted in vastly different ways.
A classic example of this is Sting's Every Breath You Take, which can be a regretful "I miss you", or a frightening ode to a stalker :icon-eek:

I'm just wondering what other songs fall into the multiple meanings catagory, and how people interpret them?

Re: Interpreting Songs

Posted: 17 Jun 2016, 23:57
by rssllue
That's the very reason that in the past Seal has said that he does not print his lyrics with his albums. He thought that it took away from everybody's own interpretation of his songs. Interesting take.

Re: Interpreting Songs

Posted: 18 Jun 2016, 17:39
by Great_Novel_Review
Bob Dylan songs for me can take on different meanings. It just depends on how I feel when I listen to the music.

Re: Interpreting Songs

Posted: 19 Jun 2016, 17:02
by AutumnPhillips
A fascinating song is "Silent Lucidity" by Queensryche... it SEEMS to be about lucid dreaming, which noone really understands, and everyone has their own take on anyway!

Re: Interpreting Songs

Posted: 19 Jun 2016, 22:55
by rssllue
I know in interviews that the group has explained that it is actually only about dreaming and they were kind of shocked that it became such a big hit for them as such.

Re: Interpreting Songs

Posted: 20 Jun 2016, 05:02
by DATo
Two words ..... American Pie.

Go nuts!

Re: Interpreting Songs

Posted: 20 Jun 2016, 05:50
by Gravy
DATo wrote:Two words ..... American Pie.

Go nuts!
:laughing-rolling:

Re: Interpreting Songs

Posted: 20 Jun 2016, 08:08
by MsMartha
DATo wrote:Two words ..... American Pie.

Go nuts!
Well, some people DO like nuts in pie :D

Re: Interpreting Songs

Posted: 20 Jun 2016, 17:51
by AutumnPhillips
Hi again, rssllue! lol ;) I think it's hilarious how Queensryche could make something so normal seem so extraordinary (like how a couple songs on the album "Empire" make use of answering machine messages!)... My early musical tastes were very much shaped by my father's (many) albums from the 80's...

-- 20 Jun 2016, 17:53 --

:D

Re: Interpreting Songs

Posted: 20 Jun 2016, 18:07
by rssllue
AutumnPhillips wrote:Hi again, rssllue! lol ;) I think it's hilarious how Queensryche could make something so normal seem so extraordinary (like how a couple songs on the album "Empire" make use of answering machine messages!)... My early musical tastes were very much shaped by my father's (many) albums from the 80's...

:D
When you mix that kind of stuff with well crafted music, it definitely can make the normal start to seem extraordinary. 8)

Re: Interpreting Songs

Posted: 02 Jun 2018, 16:33
by Mely918
I had this experience with the song Here Comes Goodbye by Rascal Flatts. I thought it was a straightforward breakup song. Then I watched the music video for it and it completely changed my perspective on the song. It's an amazing music video and I highly recommend it for anyone who loves Rascal Flatts.