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Post by daniel on Apr 9, 2008 13:39:13 GMT -5
Probably not the best title, but at work the other day we were talking about songs that people don't pay attention to the lyrics of, and assume they're about something other than what they're really about.
The example was: a guy I work with used to DJ weddings. He could never understand why people would make "I Will Always Love You" their wedding song. "Have they never LISTENED to it?!?! She's LEAVING him!!"
Some other examples we came up with were:
Born In The USA. They played this one on our morning news on the 4th of July. Again, "Did they listen to the words? It's not exactly a patroitic song!"
"Money" by Pink Floyd or "For The Love Of Money" by the O' Jays. These are always used in commercials and such and the singers were really AGAINST money.
"Mercedes Benz" I laughed hearing this song actually used in a Mercedes commercial. Janis Joplin DIDN'T WANT a Mercedes!
I'm sure there are other songs that get "abused" like this, but these are the ones on the top of my mind.
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Post by kathyb on Apr 9, 2008 21:22:12 GMT -5
I JUST heard "Born in the USA" on the radio in the car today, and thought about the lyrics and how people tend to think it's patriotic but it's really not, and then I come to the Click and read this post. Wow! That's kinda scary. LOL! "More Than Words" by Extreme is not the happy love song people seem to think it is. It's actually kind of cynical. Same with Eric Clapton's "Wonderful Tonight". I'm sure there are more examples. I'm gonna have to think on it some more.  |
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Post by Laura--I wuv u all :) on Apr 9, 2008 22:03:53 GMT -5
Well, I'm not against money. In fact, I need money. So if all those people who are against money would please send it to me, I will be more than happy to take it off their hands.  I played the piano for a wedding not too long ago where they wanted "I Will Always Love You" as the recessional. I was a little leery about that 'cause it's really a sad song, but since I was just playing it and no one was singing it, I guess it was ok. I don't know which of them chose the song, but the bride is from the Phillipines, and although she speaks excellent English, she might have not understood what this song says exactly. Then again, the groom is American and has been speaking English all his life, so go figure... I like most of Springsteen's stuff, but have never cared for "Born in the USA"--simply because it's so darn repetitious! I told this story here before but it's worth repeating: I heard a commercial for a local sign company that used part of the song "Signs" by the 5 Man Electrical Band. They just used the line, "Sign, sign, everywhere a sign," but I still thought it was an odd choice, because in the song they're complaining that there are TOO MANY signs, and this was an ad for a company that wants to put up MORE of them! This doesn't really fall into the same category, but...for a long time, I thought the song "Pretty Paper" was about a guy on a street corner selling wrapping paper and pencils! I mean, the song talks about paper and pencils, and then it talks about this guy, and then it's back to "pretty paper...", so there must be some connection between the guy and the wrapping paper, right? (Plus I thought when the lyric goes, "...he cries," and then goes back to the chorus, that meant he was calling out, the way a vendor would, "Pretty paper, pretty ribbons of blue," etc.) I guess the guy in the song isn't necessarily selling the pretty paper, but you have to admit it DOES make sense... |
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Post by Railyn on Apr 9, 2008 22:49:29 GMT -5
Good topic, Daniel.
My dad was a wedding photographer for many years, and I have heard the following as wedding songs:
The One I Love - REM (not as nice as it sounds)
Stronger Every Day - Chicago (really a break up song)
Photographs And Memories - Jim Croce (either they broke up or she died)
Every Breath You Take - Police (stalker!)
Into Dust - ?? sounded like Stevie Nicks but it's not (Bizarre!)
I'll Be There - Escape Club (the singer says he's died)
Lady - Kenny Rogers (IMO, creepy!)
November Rain - Guns N Roses (this wedding was doomed - she was 15, he was 20 - she was pregnant - 5 years later, she left him for another woman - in reality, she was a sweet girl who was trapped in something at a young age with someone who knew better - she's now happy, and I'm happy for her)
I'm pooped right now, so this concludes my wedding songs portion. ;D There are shining examples of poor commercial music, and I'll come up some later.
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Post by cairnterrier on Apr 30, 2008 22:41:15 GMT -5
"We've Got Tonight" by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band: Sounds like a sweet and deep love song which alot of people use as their wedding first dance. Listen to the lyrics....the tune is about a one-night-stand. (Not very wedding-link now is it!)
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Post by daniel on May 6, 2008 9:21:57 GMT -5
In the car last night I thought of another... A chain of steak restaurants that used to exist in California (The Happy Steak) used Lou Reed's "Walk On The Wild Side" in ther ads -- the part that went doo-dah-doo-doo-dah-doo... I remember thinking that was a bizarre choice for a steakhouse.
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Post by H2IZCOOL on May 6, 2008 10:13:41 GMT -5
Well, this one may stir a little controversy.
The song "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone. Voted by some to be the worst song of the past 50 years.
Personally back in the day, I didn't mind it that much. It's a catchy tune actually, and it's lyrics aren't much more syruppy than other love songs. I thought it deserved some airplay, even though Icouldn't understand how it could be #1 for 347 consecutive weeks.
Then Debby announces that it was a love song to God.
I am a firm supporter of the US Constitution and its mandate for the separation of Church and pop music. I always thought that songs such as Dominique, The Lords Prayer, and even Oh Happy Day, had no business being misrepresented as pop songs --and You Light Up My Life falls into the same category.
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Post by daniel on May 6, 2008 20:10:39 GMT -5
Why does this make me think of the film "Drop Dead Gorgeous" and the routine with the doll on the crucifix done to the tune of "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You"  |
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Post by Railyn on May 6, 2008 21:31:03 GMT -5
Why does this make me think of the film "Drop Dead Gorgeous" and the routine with the doll on the crucifix done to the tune of "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" Lordy - one of the "wrongest" things I've ever seen.....but so funny...... ;D |
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Post by Railyn on May 6, 2008 21:38:58 GMT -5
Well, this one may stir a little controversy. The song "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone. Voted by some to be the worst song of the past 50 years. Personally back in the day, I didn't mind it that much. It's a catchy tune actually, and it's lyrics aren't much more syruppy than other love songs. I thought it deserved some airplay, even though Icouldn't understand how it could be #1 for 347 consecutive weeks. Then Debby announces that it was a love song to God. I am a firm supporter of the US Constitution and its mandate for the separation of Church and pop music. I always thought that songs such as Dominique, The Lords Prayer, and even Oh Happy Day, had no business being misrepresented as pop songs --and You Light Up My Life falls into the same category. No controversy from me. I'm a believer - I go to church and bible study - but I don't like Contemporary Christian. I don't knock anyone that does - feel free. I just don't care for it, and I have a co-worker that blares it all day long.....  I remember seeing a comedian once griping about that very thing, saying it was "sneaky" to start up a funky beat, and then you hear "praise the lord" or something snuck in there. It was funny, and he hit the nail on the head for me. I just got Nelson and I booked into the Gospel Brunch at the House Of Blues, but I know what I'm getting into - it's Gospel music, and it's brunch. No surprises.....  |
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Post by Laura--I wuv u all :) on May 7, 2008 10:09:49 GMT -5
The song "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone. Voted by some to be the worst song of the past 50 years... ...Debby announces that it was a love song to God. I think that was just how she interpreted her version. The song was originally from a movie--I haven't seen the movie, but I think it was a romantic movie and the song was just intended to be a love song to one's significant other. |
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Post by Laura--I wuv u all :) on May 7, 2008 10:11:52 GMT -5
No controversy from me. I'm a believer - I go to church and bible study - but I don't like Contemporary Christian. I don't knock anyone that does - feel free. I just don't care for it, and I have a co-worker that blares it all day long..... I am a Christian myself, and I enjoy a lot of contemporary Christian music. I have quite a bit of it on CD's and cassettes. But it's not the only thing I listen to. And I don't care for some of the attitudes of some of the people who listen to it...don't even get me started on this... |
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Post by H2IZCOOL on May 7, 2008 10:56:53 GMT -5
The song "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone. Voted by some to be the worst song of the past 50 years... ...Debby announces that it was a love song to God. I think that was just how she interpreted her version. The song was originally from a movie--I haven't seen the movie, but I think it was a romantic movie and the song was just intended to be a love song to one's significant other. Laura, I am ashamed to say that I actually saw the movie.  A chick flick - and a bad chick flick at that. It starred Didi Conn. And yes, the song was a simple romantic song in the movie. |
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Post by dave910 on May 13, 2008 23:49:52 GMT -5
Laura, Props to you! I, also am a Christian who owns Contemporary Christian music! Like yourself, I also enjoy a variety of musical styles.  |
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Post by edehl on Jun 30, 2008 22:20:20 GMT -5
I used to think the Association's song "Never My Love" was a tragic song about an unrequited crush. However, I discovered after listening to the lyrics, he's basically saying that he'll "never" grow tired or lose his desire for his "love". And that's the way love should be! Sweeeeeet. |
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A chick flick - and a bad chick flick at that. It starred Didi Conn. And yes, the song was a simple romantic song in the movie.
