The Meaning Behind Song Titles That Aren’t In The Lyrics
Have you ever loved a song, but didn’t know its name? Usually, song titles are intentionally the same as the lyrics in the chorus, so that listeners can easily figure them out. And the lyrics in the chorus are typically repeated several times, so that listeners have no excuse for not remembering them.
But what about songs whose titles aren’t anywhere in the lyrics? How in the world are bands going to make money and get recognition if we’re wandering aimlessly searching for a song because its lyrics and title don’t match?
Apparently, it’s no big deal. Plenty of bands have become famous, and have had huge hits, with songs whose lyrics have nothing in common with the song’s title. Here are a few:
“Baba O’Riley” by The Who
This song is often mistakenly called “Teenage Wasteland,” because that phrase is repeated throughout the lyrics. Years ago, I heard a caller ask a DJ to play “Teenage Wasteland.” The DJ said, “I’m sorry—we don’t have that song. But I could play ‘Baba O’Riley’ for you, instead.” With disappointment bleeding from his voice, the caller reluctantly said, “Well....OK.” The title, which is absent from the lyrics, combines the names of the band’s philosophical and musical influences, Meher Baba and Terry O’Riley. It has become one of The Who’s definitive songs, despite the differing title and lyrics.
“Black Dog” by Led Zeppelin
What could a black dog possibly have to do with lyrics about a man’s passionate attraction to a woman, and his subsequent regret for allowing himself to be used by her? Was it something disturbingly kinky? No. It was disturbingly simple: A black Labrador retriever was wandering around Headley Grange Studios while the band was recording, so they decided to call the song “Black Dog.” Although the title and Robert Plant’s lyrics are completely unrelated, the song hit the US charts at #15 when it was released, and has become a Zeppelin classic.
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
Maybe it smells like teen spirit, but the lyrics sound nothing like it. This song got its mismatched title and lyrics by accident. One of frontman Kurt Cobain’s friends spray painted “Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit” on his wall. She meant that Cobain smelled like Teen Spirit, the deodorant his then-girlfriend wore, but Cobain misinterpreted it as having an anarchist feel that would complement the song’s rebellious sound and lyrics. It was Nirvana’s first and biggest hit, and ushered alternative music and lyrics into the mainstream.
“Hair of the Dog” by Nazareth
In this brawny, hard-rocking anthem, the title actually does surface in the lyrics. How is that possible? The lyrics of the chorus are “Now you’re messing with a son of a b*tch.” Vocalist Dan McCafferty explained that the title was a play on the words, “heir of the dog”—a “son of a b*tch.” Too clever for their own good? Nope. The song is a heavy metal classic, and gets regular airplay, despite its risqué lyrics.
The success of these songs proves that as long as musicians are making a puzzle out of their song titles and lyrics, listeners will be putting the pieces together.
If you still can’t figure out the title in the music lyrics , get the new lyrics at Smart Lyrics. You might be able to figure out the meaning behind the song titles.
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