Song Lyric Meanings
Learn about the meanings of the top songs in history in less than 5 minutes a day. Inspired by the Top 500 Most Influential Songs in History by the Rolling Stones.
Episodes
December 8, 2023 • 5 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - When Doves Cry by Prince
"When Doves Cry" is a song by American musician Prince, and the lead single from his sixth studio album Purple Rain. According to the DVD commentary of the film Purple Rain (1984), Prince was asked by director Albert Magnoli to write a song to match the theme of a particular segment of the film that involved intermingled parental difficulties and a love affair. The next morning, P...
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December 7, 2023 • 5 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Hey Jude by The Beatles
"Hey Jude" is a song by the English rock band the Beatles that was released as a non-album single in August 1968. It was written by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership. The single was the Beatles' first release on their Apple record label and one of the "First Four" singles by Apple's roster of artists, marking the label's public launch. "Hey Jude" was a...
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December 6, 2023 • 4 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye
"Sexual Healing" is a song recorded by American singer Marvin Gaye from his seventeenth and final studio album, Midnight Love (1982). It was his first single since his exit from his long-term record label Motown earlier in the year, following the release of the In Our Lifetime (1981) album the previous year. It peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 (Gaye's final top 10 hit...
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December 5, 2023 • 2 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Rolling in the Deep by Adele
"Rolling in the Deep" is a song by English singer-songwriter Adele from her second studio album, 21 (2011). It is the lead single and opening track on the album. The song was written by Adele and Paul Epworth. The singer herself describes it as a "dark blues-y gospel disco tune". In 2011, it was reportedly the biggest crossover hit in the United States since 1985; "Rolling in ...
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December 4, 2023 • 4 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Thank U, Next by Arianna Grande
"Thank U, Next" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande. It was surprise released on November 3, 2018, through Republic Records, as the lead single from her fifth studio album of the same name. Written by Grande, Tayla Parx and Victoria Monét, along with its producers Tommy Brown, Charles Anderson, and Michael Foster, "Thank U, Next" is a celebratory ode to Grande's fail...
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December 3, 2023 • 4 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - I Can’t Stand the Rain by Ann Peebles
"I Can't Stand the Rain" is a song originally recorded by Ann Peebles in 1973, and written by Peebles, Don Bryant, and Bernard "Bernie" Miller. Other notable versions were later recorded by Eruption, Graham Central Station, Tina Turner and Lowell George. The original version is ranked at 197 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
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December 2, 2023 • 5 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Ponta De Lanca Africano (Umbabarauma) by Jorge Ben
África Brasil is a 1976 release by Brazilian artist Jorge Ben (recording since the 1980s as Jorge Ben Jor). It was Ben's 14th studio album. África Brasil represented a milestone in Ben's career with his switch to electric guitar and incorporation of both Afro-Brazilian and American funk music styles into his sound. África Brasil is one of Ben's best-known...
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December 1, 2023 • 4 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Paid in Full by Eric B. and Rakim
"Paid in Full" is a 1987 song by American hip hop duo Eric B. & Rakim. Written and produced by group members Eric Barrier and Rakim Allah, the song was released as the fifth single from the duo's debut studio album of the same name. It became one of the group's most successful singles, owing heavily to a popular remix of the song by English electronic dance music duo Cold...
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November 30, 2023 • 4 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Tumbling Dice by The Rolling Stones
"Tumbling Dice" is a song recorded by the English rock band the Rolling Stones. A product of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards' songwriting partnership, the song has a blues, boogie-woogie rhythm that scholars and musicians have noted for its unusual tempo and groove. The lyrics are about a gambler who cannot remain faithful to any woman. The song is the lead single from t...
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November 29, 2023 • 5 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Wonderwall by Oasis
"Wonderwall" is a song by English rock band Oasis, written by lead guitarist and chief songwriter Noel Gallagher. The song was produced by Gallagher and Owen Morris for the band's second studio album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, released in 1995. According to Gallagher, "Wonderwall" describes "an imaginary friend who's gonna come and save you from yourself".The song was released ...
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November 28, 2023 • 4 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Grace by Jeff Buckley
"Grace" is the title track from Jeff Buckley's debut album Grace (1994). It was the album's first single, and was also released as a video.
The song was based on an instrumental song called "Rise Up to Be" written by Buckley's collaborator, Gary Lucas. Jeff wrote lyrics inspired by his saying goodbye to his girlfriend at the airport on a rainy day, and the vocal melody came naturally...
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November 27, 2023 • 4 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Stand by Me by Ben E. King
"Stand by Me" is a song originally performed in 1961 by American singer-songwriter Ben E. King and written by him, along with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who together used the pseudonym Elmo Glick. According to King, the title is derived from, and was inspired by, a spiritual written by Sam Cooke and J. W. Alexander called "Stand by Me Father," recorded by the Soul Stirrers w...
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November 26, 2023 • 5 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Rid of Me by PJ Harvey
Rid of Me is the second studio album by the English singer-songwriter PJ Harvey, released on 26 April 1993 by Island Records, approximately one year after the release of her critically acclaimed debut studio album Dry (1992). It marked a departure from Harvey's previous songwriting, being more raw and aggressive than its predecessor.
The songs on Rid of Me were performed by Harvey's...
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November 25, 2023 • 4 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Killing Me Softly with His Song by The Fugees
"Killing Me Softly with His Song" is a song composed by Charles Fox with lyrics by Norman Gimbel. The lyrics were written in collaboration with Lori Lieberman after she was inspired by a Don McLean performance in late 1971. Denied writing credit by Fox and Gimbel, Lieberman released her version of the song in 1972, but it did not chart. The song has been cover...
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November 24, 2023 • 4 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Seven Nation Army by White Stripes
"Seven Nation Army" is a song by American rock duo the White Stripes. It is the opening track on their fourth studio album, Elephant (2003). V2 Records released the song to American alternative radio on February 17, 2003, as the lead single from the album. Worldwide, the single was issued through XL Recordings. Written and produced by Jack White, the song consists of dis...
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November 23, 2023 • 4 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Cross Road Blues by Robert Johnson
"Cross Road Blues" (commonly known as "Crossroads") is a song written by the American blues artist Robert Johnson. He performed it as a solo piece with his vocal and acoustic slide guitar in the Delta blues-style. The song has become part of the Robert Johnson mythology as referring to the place where he supposedly sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for his musical...
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November 22, 2023 • 4 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Seven Nation Army by White Stripes
"Seven Nation Army" is a song by American rock duo the White Stripes. It is the opening track on their fourth studio album, Elephant (2003). V2 Records released the song to American alternative radio on February 17, 2003, as the lead single from the album. Worldwide, the single was issued through XL Recordings. Written and produced by Jack White, the song consists of dis...
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November 21, 2023 • 4 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Sunday Morning Coming Down by Kris Kristofferson
"Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down" is a song written by Kris Kristofferson that was recorded in 1969 by Ray Stevens before becoming a No.1 hit on the Billboard US Country chart for Johnny Cash.
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November 20, 2023 • 4 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - Heat Wave by Martha and the Vandellas
"Heat Wave" is a 1963 song written by the Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team. It was first made popular by the Motown vocal group Martha and the Vandellas. Released as a 45 rpm single on July 9, 1963, on the Motown subsidiary Gordy label, it hit number one on the Billboard Hot R&B chart—where it stayed for four weeks—and peaking at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 1...
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November 19, 2023 • 5 mins
Song Lyrics Meaning - I’ll Take You There by Staple Singers
"I'll Take You There" is a song written by Al Bell (using his real name Alvertis Isbell), and originally performed by soul/gospel family band the Staple Singers. The Staple Singers version, produced by Bell, was released on Stax Records in February 1972, and spent a total of 15 weeks on the charts and reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is ranked as the 19th big...
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