We all love listening to songs, but has it ever occurred to you? The real meaning behind a song. Sometimes, the message you are getting is right in front of you, but sometimes, you have to put your specs on to do some research. In my opinion, music is an art, specifically an abstract art, that needs comprehension to fully grasp the meaning of it. Speaking of that, here are our top ten misunderstood songs that contain hidden meanings.

Let’s decode those together!

1- Angel By Sarah McLachlan 

Let us start with a timeless classic yet wildly misunderstood among people. Angel, which became a sensation in the late 90’s. Soon after it was released, the song became a symbol of longing, aspiration, and comfort for the masses. On the contrary, in an interview, Sarah McLachlan revealed the real inspiration was the death of her dear fellow due to a drug overdose, a misfortunate event that left a scar on her life.  

2- Hear You Me - Jimmy Eat World

Another hit yet misunderstood song is Hear You Me which revolves around the tragic death of two sisters “Mykel and Carly Allen”. Both ladies were big fans of Jimmy Eat World and Weezer. They used to run a fan club for them. Hear You Me was a tribute to the sisters. A girl commented and shared that these sisters were driving back from their concert when they met with a car crash and died on the spot. She added that this song is highly misunderstood and used as a love song in several movies.

3- Don’t Leave Home - Dido’s

Don’t Leave Home by Dido was interpreted as a love song by the masses. But the real meaning of the song is far more than the love. Some users commented that the song is all about obsession in a romantic relationship and fear of abandonment.

4- Every Breath You Take - The Police

Another hit from the 80s, Every Breath You Take, became highly misinterpreted when people took this song as a love and comfort song. In contrast, the song is the opposite and is all about possessiveness and stalking. 

5-Chandelier - Sia

While coping with the death of her boyfriend, who was hit by a taxi in the late 90’s, sia penned down a chandelier. When the song was released, it was mistaken as a party pop song due to its uplifting music. People claimed that Sia was suffering from drug addiction and alcoholism (now sober) because of the sudden death of her loved one, and the song is all about drugs and substance abuse. 

6- Good Radiance - Green Day

Good Radiance by Green Day seems like the song is encouraging us to move on, leave the past behind, and just go with the flow- things will heal eventually. This song was released in the late 90s, and people played it at several burials, weddings, and farewell parties until the people found out that Billie Joel Armstong penned down the song under the heat of anger because of a fight with his ex-girlfriend.  

7- Slide - The Goo Goo Dolls

Slide by Goo Goo Dolls was highly misinterpreted as a love song. But the fact is that this song tackles a huge issue- teen unplanned pregnancy and abortion. People commented that the teen girl was abandoned by her parents because of the pregnancy. Later, she got an abortion and was upset about this decision. 

8-  Hotel California - The Eagles

The song Hotel California is neither a symbol of relaxation for travelers nor a spot to enjoy. It has nothing to do with the hotel or any exact location whatsoever. Hotel California is more like a metaphor that means “greed” or a self-description of an artist.

9- Born in USA - Bruce Springsteen

Born in the USA was highly misinterpreted as a patriotic song by the majority. This song is an actual anti-war song and talks about how the man who returns from the war has nothing. He has no personal assets, no family, no home, and is unemployed. 

 10-  Blackbird - Beatles

The last song we have is Blackbird as per the name- the song is not about a bird that has damaged wings. No, just like other Beatles songs, this too has a deep meaning. The song is about the American Civil Rights movement and is entirely fugitive.