We sing to top songs in the car, listen to them at work, and dance to them at parties.
But, behind every top song, there's a story and meaning maybe we didn't hear initially.
Sometimes it's masked by the sound of the song. For instance, an upbeat tune may have
a darker meaning hidden in the lyrics. Of course, other times, the stories behind these
songs are funny and insightful, making things much clearer. Be ready, because many of these
true stories behind the songs might radically change how you listen to them. I'm Mike with
List25 and here are 25 insane stories behind top songs.
25.
Kendrick Lamar - Swimming Pools
When released in 2012, "Swimming Pools" by Kendrick Lamar became an instant party anthem.
But, ironically, the song lyrics are about how alcohol and peer pressure ruined Lamar's
life.
24. Aerosmith - Dude Looks Like A Lady
When Aerosmith hung out with the guys from Motely Crue, they rolled their eyes at how
every sentence they said started with "Dude." Even more, at one point, they saw what looked
like a girl with bleach blonde hair but when that person turned around it was Vince Neil.
This turned into the riff, "Dude looks like a lady."
23. Journey - Don't Stop Believin'
This classic and overplayed rock ballad from 1981 has a little bit of a factual error in
it. South Detroit doesn't exist. When written, Steve Perry tried North Detroit, East Detroit,
and West Detroit, but for him, South Detroit sounded the best. So, he went with it. Later
he found out "South Detroit" is really just Canada.
22. Gwen Stefani - Hollaback Girl
This pop song and instant dance track sensation was written as a direct response to Courtney
Love dissing Stefani, calling her a cheerleader. I'd say Stefani wins for best comeback.
21. Van Halen - Jump
This upbeat and peppy song is pretty dark when you know what inspired the lyrics. David
Lee Roth came up with the line "Go ahead and jump" after seeing a news broadcast of a guy
standing on top of Arco Tower, threatening to commit suicide.
20. Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb
The common belief is that this song is about drugs. But, Roger Waters, the writer, insists
it isn't. It's actually about what it felt like when he was sick as a kid, disconnected
from reality and sometimes entering delirium.
19. Woody Guthrie - This Land Is Your Land
Though sometimes considered a second American national anthem, this song originally was
a protest song Guthrie recorded in 1944 in response to how much "God Bless America" was
played during The Great Depression. The controversial lyrics, however, were either never recorded
or later removed due to fear of McCarthyism.
18. Third Eye Blind - Semi-Charmed Life
With catchy riffs and plenty of "Doo-Doo-Doos," this poppy song is actually about falling
apart and someone dealing with drug addiction. Stephan Jenkins wanted the riffs to feel shiny
and bright like the feeling of being on speed.
17. NoÃ«l Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker - Do
You Hear What I Hear? Many believe this Christmas classic was written
a long time ago. It was actually written by NoÃ«l Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker in
1962 during the Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis. They were in the recording studio
listening to the radio and were afraid they were about to be obliterated by nuclear missiles.
So, they wrote it about the Nativity Story during the Cold War.
16. Fastball - The Way
This chart-topping 1998 single was interpreted about eternal youth and a road trip that never
ends. However, in a dark twist, it was actually inspired by a news story of an elderly couple
that left for a festival in Texas and disappeared. When the band decided to record the song,
they read in the newspaper that the elderly couple was found dead at the bottom of a canyon
in their Oldsmobile, hundreds of miles off course.
15. Bob Marley - I Shot The Sheriff
Some might think this song would be pretty straightforward. However, Marley's girlfriend
claims it's actually about birth control. She said Marley thought birth control was
a sin and the doctor prescribing them was the "sheriff." These lyrics specifically bring
light to this interpretation: â€œSheriff John Brown always hated me/For what, I donâ€™t
know/Every time I plant a seed/He said kill it before it grow.â€
14. Bruce Springsteen - Born To Run
This upbeat song was briefly considered by the New Jersey state legislature to be their
state song, but it was shot down in the Senate. It's kind of easy to see why. Despite its
peppy sound, the lyrics are much harsher: "Baby, this town rips the bones from your
back. It's a death trap. It's a suicide rap."
13. Carly Simon - You're So Vain
While it was unknown who Carly Simon spoke about when she wrote and sang "You're So Vain,"
she eventually admitted it was about Warren Beatty.
12. Chicago - 25 or 6 to 4
Many believe this song is about drugs and being on LSD. But, that interpretation is
wrong. According to Robert Lamm, the song was written when they were recording songs
late at night and is about time.
11. Deep Purple - Smoke On The Water
This song with the universally noticeable opening guitar riff was written after someone
launched a rocket inside a casino during Frank Zappa's concert. A fire broke out instantly,
destroying the casino complex. The title "Smoke On The Water" came about when Roger Glover
saw the smoke roll over Lake Geneva as the fire raged inside the casino.
10. BTO - Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
This song was written by Randy Bachman and during one of the recording sessions, he recorded
a joke track stammering all the words, like "B-b-b-b-baby, you ainâ€™t seen n-n-nothing
yet." He did it purposefully because his brother Gary Bachman had a horrible stammer at the
time. He teased his brother they were going to put it on the album, though he had no intention
of doing so. But then their producer Charley Fach intervened, saying it's their only potential
hit song. So they used the joke track and it became BTO's only #1 song.
9. Beastie Boys - Fight For Your Right To Party
Everyone thinks this song is about partying. In reality, the Beastie Boys were parodying
all the songs at the time singing about partying. Adam Yauch was making fun of them but admitted
irony is often missed by people. He goes on to say, "The only thing that upsets me is
that we might have reinforced certain values of some people in our audience when our own
values were actually totally different."
8. Sixpence None The Richer - There She Goes
This popular song was actually covered by Sixpence None The Richer and was originally
written and sung by The La's. While it appears to be about a girl always getting away, in
reality, it's about the fleeting feeling after someone takes heroin and the addiction that
follows.
7. Paul McCartney - Hey Jude
This famous and beloved ballad was written during a tumultuous time for McCartney when
the Beatles weren't getting along and he and his girlfriend were splitting up. However,
he wrote it as a way to comfort and cheer up John Lennon's five-year-old son, Jules,
as his parents were getting divorced. Originally, the title was "Hey Jules" but he changed it
later. Awkwardly, John Lennon thought the song was about him as a blessing for his relationship
with Yoko Ono.
6. The Drifters - Save The Last Dance For Me
The writer of this popular ballad was Doc Pomus. He wrote it after watching his bride
dance with everyone else at their wedding. Doc Pomus was unable to dance because he had
polio.
5. John Mellencamp - Pink Houses
Many people think this song is about the American Dream. In reality, Mellencamp says it's about
how the American Dream has led to poverty and wasn't working anymore.
4. Hanson - MMMBop
This catchy, one-hit-wonder was all the rage in 1996 and most considered it a mindless
ballad. However, Hanson stated originally it had a somber tone to meet its intended
meaning but was changed to a pop song later. It's actually about the futility of life and
how the things you think are important are going to be gone.
3. Lady Gaga - Pokerface
This hit song isn't about poker or being coy. It was inspired by Lady Gaga keeping her bisexuality
hidden from her heterosexual male lover.
2. Three Dog Night - One
After trying to call someone and getting a busy signal, Harry Nilsson wrote this song.
The opening riff imitates the "boop, boop, boop" sound you hear during a busy signal.
He stayed on the line to use it as inspiration for the song.
1. Michael Jackson - Billie Jean
While driving his Rolls-Royce down the highway, Jackson wrote this song. He became so enamored
by his songwriting and the song that he didn't notice his car had caught on fire. A motorcyclist
warned him about it and saved his life in the process.
So, are there any insane stories about YOUR favorite song? Let us know in the comments
below, or tweet your answer to us @List25.
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