Most of us have had the feeling. You’re doing everything you’re supposed to do, you’re smiling in the right places, and yet somewhere behind your face a switch has beenContinue readingThe Meaning of “Numb” by Linkin Park
Song Meanings
The Meaning of “Pralayam Pralayam” (Varanasi)
Not many songs announce themselves with a single word repeated twice and a promise of the end of the world. “Pralayam Pralayam” does exactly that. It’s the opening cry ofContinue readingThe Meaning of “Pralayam Pralayam” (Varanasi)
The Meaning of the Song “Siren Song”
Plenty of songs have been called “Siren Song”, and I should confess at the outset that asking for the meaning of one is a bit like asking for the meaningContinue readingThe Meaning of the Song “Siren Song”
The Meaning of “Umbrella” by Rihanna
In the summer of 2007 it rained in Britain. This isn’t unusual, but that year it rained with unusual enthusiasm, and meanwhile a pop song about umbrellas sat at theContinue readingThe Meaning of “Umbrella” by Rihanna
The Meaning of “One” by Metallica
Heavy metal has a reputation for being loud, daft and a bit fond of skulls. Metallica’s “One” is loud, certainly, but it’s neither daft nor decorative, and it may beContinue readingThe Meaning of “One” by Metallica
The Meaning of “Fernando” by ABBA
There’s a particular sort of pop song that sounds as though it knows something you don’t. “Fernando” is one of them. Two old friends sit outside on a warm night,Continue readingThe Meaning of “Fernando” by ABBA
The Meaning of the Song “Highwayman”
Four of the toughest men in country music walk into a studio, and what do they sing about? Not drink, not trucks, not women who did them wrong. They singContinue readingThe Meaning of the Song “Highwayman”
The Meaning of “Glue Song” by Beabadoobee
I’m naturally suspicious of love songs. They tend to arrive wearing far too much perfume, promising forever to someone they’ve only just met. So it’s a pleasant shock when oneContinue readingThe Meaning of “Glue Song” by Beabadoobee
The Meaning of “Tensionado” by Soapdish
Some songs arrive on time. Others turn up twenty years late, with a tray of drinks and a perfectly good excuse. “Tensionado” by the Filipino band Soapdish belongs firmly toContinue readingThe Meaning of “Tensionado” by Soapdish
The Meaning of “Adam’s Song” by Blink-182
Blink-182 were never meant to be the band you turned to when things got serious. This was the lot who ran through the streets in the nude for a videoContinue readingThe Meaning of “Adam’s Song” by Blink-182