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I know the song well, but then I actually listened to the lyrics!


Daddyjt

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Maybe I’m the only one, but have any of you had a song that you’d heard hundreds of times, and then one day, you actually listened to the lyrics, and found the song to take on an entirely different meaning?

 

I recently experienced this with “Escape”, by Rupert Holmes.  You all know it, it’s the catchy Piña Colada song.  Well, if you did not know it, the lyrics are a bit dark! (See below).

 

Has anyone else experienced this - shock (or at least surprised) when you learn the actual lyrics of a familiar song?

 

 

 

Escape (The Pina Colada Song)

 by Rupert Holmes

 

You know I love my lady, we'd been together so long
We're like a worn-out recording of my favorite song
So while she lay there sleeping, I read the paper in bed
And in the personal columns, there was this letter that read

If you like piña coladas and getting caught in the rain
If you're not into yoga, if you have half a brain
If you like making love at midnight in the dunes of the cape
Then I'm the love that you've looked for, write to me and escape

I didn't think about my lady, I know that sounds kind of mean
But me and my old lady had fallen into the same old dull routine
So I wrote to the paper, took out a personal ad
And though I'm nobody's poet, I thought it wasn't half-bad

Yes, I like piña coladas, and getting caught in the rain
I'm not much into health food, but I am into champagne
I've got to meet you by tomorrow, cut through all this red tape
At a bar called Scrappy Malloy's, we'll plan our escape

So I waited with high hopes, then she walked in the place
I knew her smile in an instant, I knew the curve of her face
It was my own lovely lady, and she said, "Oh, it's you"
Then we laughed for a moment, and I said, "I never knew"

I never knew you liked piña coladas, or getting caught in the rain
And the feel of the ocean, and the taste of champagne
If you like making love at midnight in the dunes of the cape
Then you're the lady that I've looked for, come with me and escape

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Here’s another one that hit me pretty hard when I figured out what was really being said in the lyrics -

 

 

"Carolina In My Mind"

James Taylor
 

In my mind I'm going to Carolina. Can't you see the sunshine, can't you just feel the moonshine?
Ain't it just like a friend of mine to hit me from behind? Yes, I'm going to Carolina in my mind.

Karen she's the silver sun, you best walk her way and watch it shine,
watch her watch the morning come.
A silver tear appearing now I'm crying, ain't I? I'm going to Carolina in my mind.

There ain't no doubt in no ones mind that loves the finest thing around,
whisper something soft and kind.
And hey, babe, the sky's on fire, I'm dying, ain't I? I'm going to Carolina in my mind.

In my mind I'm going to Carolina. Can't you see the sunshine, can't you just feel the moonshine?
Ain't it just like a friend of mine to hit me from behind? Yes, I'm going to Carolina in my mind.

Dark and silent late last night, I think I might have heard the highway calling.
Geese in flight and dogs that bite.
And signs that might be omens say I'm going, going I'm gone to Carolina in my mind.

Now with a holy host of others standing round me, still I'm on the dark side of the moon.
And it seems like it goes on like this forever, you must forgive me
if I'm up and gone to Carolina in my mind.

In my mind I'm going to Carolina. Can't you see the sunshine, can't you just feel the moonshine?
Ain't it just like a friend of mine to hit me from behind? Yes, I'm gone to Carolina in my mind.
Gotta make it back home again soon, gotta make it back on home again soon,
gotta make it back to Carolina soon, can't hang around, no babe, gotta make it back home again,
gotta make it back to Carolina soon...

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On ‎10‎/‎20‎/‎2019 at 6:22 PM, Daddyjt said:

8 recently experienced this with “Escape”, by Rupert Holmes.  You all know it, it’s the catchy Piña Colada song.  Well, if you did not know it, the lyrics are a bit dark! (See below).

 

I never paid attention to the lyrics.  I remember my mom really liking this guy and listening to his cassette.  And if my memory serves, I remember seeing him perform at Disneyland when I was a kid.  It had to be around the late 70's/early 80's.  I had no idea that the lyrics had such an adulterous/cheating theme.

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Here's one that still confuses me (easily done I guess).  Elvis Costello "Alison"

 

Lyrics:

Oh it's so funny to be seeing you after so long, girl.
And with the way you look I understand
That you are not impressed.
But I heard you let that little friend of mine
Take off your party dress.
I'm not going to get too sentimental
Like those other sticky valentines,
Cause I don't know if you've been loving somebody.
I only know it isn't mine.
Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.
Well I see you've got a husband now.
Did he leave your pretty fingers lying
In the wedding cake?
You used to hold him right in your hand.
I'll bet he took all he could take.
Sometimes I wish that I could stop you from talking
When I hear the silly things that you say.
I think somebody better put out the big light,
Cause I can't stand to see you this way.
Alison, I know this world is killing you.
Oh, Alison, my aim is true.
My aim is true.
 
AT various times, I've been convinced that by 'my aim is true' he's telling Alison that he has pure intentions (and she should be with him instead of the alterantives).
 
Or else he's saying 'I won't miss' should she decide she's had enough
 
?
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26 minutes ago, RichP714 said:

Oh, Alison, my aim is true.
My aim is true.

I always interpreted this lyric as Mr. Costello informing said ingénue that he had the desire and required skills to both sexually satisfy and liberate her from her ho-hum, domestic existence.  Maybe I'm reading too much into this one.

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1 hour ago, PhilDent said:

I always interpreted this lyric as Mr. Costello informing said ingénue that he had the desire and required skills to both sexually satisfy and liberate her from her ho-hum, domestic existence.  Maybe I'm reading too much into this one.

 

I think it's purposefuly vague with intentional double entendre, but EC himself denies it has anything to do with shooting anything

 

 

 

‘We Built This City On Sausage Rolls’ And More Of The Most Commonly Misheard Song Lyrics
https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-blogs/misheard-song-lyrics-6787

 

 

 

I remember Born in the USA being received as a patriotic anthem, when it's really about the shameful experiences of Vietnam.

 

Similarly, Neil Young's 'Rockin' in the free world' was often misinterpreted as an American pride song when it isn't

 

Dig this bit from SNL (we were all kids when he played this on SNL) where he intentionally thrashes his guitar strings

 

 

Edited by RichP714
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One of the things that really got me started into music was a Jr. High English teacher who used popular song lyrics as the subject for studying poetry.  That forced me into really listening to and analyzing the lyrics.  So many songs have meanings far beyond their apparent surface message.  If in doubt, spend some time reading through the words to many of Steely Dan's hits (caveat : some are not as involved).

 

To me, the lyrics add a huge piece to music, but then I have to admit I spend most of my time on instrumental tracks these days... (there's likely a psychology thesis in there somewhere)

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" Similarly, Neil Young's 'Rockin' in the free world' was often misinterpreted as an American pride song when it isn't "

 

I remember the time and place I first heard this song.  Camp Lejeune E-club eating lunch.

went out the next day and bought the cd

This Mortal Coil - Song To The Siren

 
Long afloat on shipless oceans
I did all my best to smile
'Til your singing eyes and fingers
Drew me loving to your isle
And you sang
Sail to me
Sail to me
Let me enfold you

Here I am
Here I am
Waiting to hold you
 
Did I dream you dreamed about me?
Were you here when I was forced out
Now my foolish boat is leaning
Broken lovelorn on your rocks
For you sing, "Touch me not, touch me not, come back tomorrow
Oh my heart, Oh my heart shies from the sorrow"
 
Well I'm as puzzled as the newborn child
I'm as riddled as the tide
Should I stand amid the breakers?
Or should I lie with death, my bride?
Hear me sing, "Swim to me, swim to me, let me enfold you
Here I am, here I am, waiting to hold you"
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  • 9 months later...

Jim Croce could say more in two and a half minutes than many artists can say in a whole album...

 

 

"Photographs And Memories"
 

Photographs and memories
Christmas cards you sent to me
All that I have are these to remember you
Memories that come at night
Take me to another time
Back to a happier day, when I called you mine

But we sure had a good time
When we started way back when
Morning walks and bedroom talks
Oh, how I loved you then

Summer skies and lullabies
Nights we couldn't say goodbye
And of all of the things that we knew
Not a dream survived

Photographs and memories
All the love you gave to me
Somehow it just can't be true
It's all I've left of you

But we sure had a good time
When we started way back when
Morning walks and bedroom talks
Oh, how I loved you then

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A lot of Steely Dan songs can fall into the Creepy, or at least Disturbing realm.

 

Two Against Nature has some real winners:  Gaslightiing Abbie and Cousin Dupree out to be enough to rattle one's comfort zone quite thoroughly.  Or go dig into the means of Kid Charlemagne and The Royal Scam for some fun.  :S :)

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2 minutes ago, Receiver2000 said:

Makes Peter Paul and Mary's "Puff The Magic Dragon" seem pretty innocent. 

 

Very much so!   Then again, nobody ever claimed Walter and Donald were normal - even themselves.

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While considering a wedding play list last night, this one came up.  Was a favorite of my kids..., back a ways. My wife noted that the female vocal refrain lyric was not "kissing the night away", but "pissing the night away."  When my son was 4 and 5 singing this song as one of his favorites at the time, I don't know if he knew either !  LoL.

 

 

I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
He drinks a Whiskey drink, he drinks a Vodka drink
He drinks a Lager drink, he drinks a Cider drink
He sings the songs that remind him of the good times
He sings the songs that remind him of the best times
(Oh Danny Boy, Danny Boy, Danny Boy)
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
He drinks a Whiskey drink, he drinks a Vodka drink
He drinks a Lager drink, he drinks a Cider drink
He sings the songs that remind him of the good times
He sings the songs that remind him of the best times
(Don't cry for me, next door neighbour)
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)

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  • 1 month later...

Does anyone know WTF the lyrics to Roundabout by Yes mean??

 

"Roundabout"
 

I'll be the roundabout
The words will make you out 'n' out
I spend the day your way
Call it morning driving thru the sound and in and out the valley

The music dance and sing
They make the children really ring
I spend the day your way
Call it morning driving thru the sound and in and out the valley

In and around the lake
Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there
One mile over we'll be there and we'll see you
Ten true summers we'll be there and laughing too
Twenty four before my love you'll see I'll be there with you

I will remember you
Your silhouette will charge the view
Of distant atmosphere
Call it morning driving thru the sound and even in the valley

In and around the lake
Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there
One mile over we'll be there and we'll see you
Ten true summers we'll be there and laughing too
Twenty four before my love you'll see I'll be there with you

Along the drifting cloud the eagle searching down on the land
Catching the swirling wind the sailor sees the rim of the land
The eagle's dancing wings create as weather spins out of hand

Go closer hold the land feel partly no more than grains of sand
We stand to lose all time a thousand answers by in our hand
Next to your deeper fears we stand surrounded by million years

I'll be the roundabout
The words will make you out 'n' out
I'll be the roundabout
The words will make you out 'n' out

In and around the lake
Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there
Twenty four before my love and I'll be there

I'll be the roundabout
The words will make you out 'n' out
You spend the day your way
Call it morning driving thru the sound and in and out the valley

In and around the lake
Mountains come out of the sky and they stand there
One mile over we'll be there and we'll see you
Ten true summers we'll be there and laughing too
Twenty four before my love you'll see I'll be there with you

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Thank you. Pretty trippy song that I always loved. I never gave it much thought but guess that I assumed the reference to a roundabout was  a traffic circle and driving through life or something like that. Great tune!!!!! Will need to hunker down and give it a critical listening now😁.

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On 8/16/2020 at 6:13 AM, AndrewJohn said:

While considering a wedding play list last night, this one came up.  Was a favorite of my kids..., back a ways. My wife noted that the female vocal refrain lyric was not "kissing the night away", but "pissing the night away."  When my son was 4 and 5 singing this song as one of his favorites at the time, I don't know if he knew either !  LoL.

 

 

I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
He drinks a Whiskey drink, he drinks a Vodka drink
He drinks a Lager drink, he drinks a Cider drink
He sings the songs that remind him of the good times
He sings the songs that remind him of the best times
(Oh Danny Boy, Danny Boy, Danny Boy)
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
He drinks a Whiskey drink, he drinks a Vodka drink
He drinks a Lager drink, he drinks a Cider drink
He sings the songs that remind him of the good times
He sings the songs that remind him of the best times
(Don't cry for me, next door neighbour)
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
but I get up again
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (ooh)
I get knocked down, (we'll be singing)
But I get up again (pissing the night away)
You are never gonna keep me down (when we're winning)

 

Are you sure that's not about an old man trying to get a night's sleep?

 

 

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50 minutes ago, Daddyjt said:

Does anyone know WTF the lyrics to Roundabout by Yes mean??

 

Sorry Daddyjt - you are WAY too straight & sober, and not into mysticism enough to understand Jon Anderson lyrics.  😀😀

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