In 1983, music charts everywhere were topped with Bonnie Tyler’s hit song, “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” And even though you’d be hard-pressed to find somebody that doesn’t know this 80’s hit, most people are unaware of its actual meaning. As it turns out, the song’s producer, Jim Steinman, wrote the song for Tyler after she had said no to two previous versions he’d written.
Apparently, Steinman had been working on a musical based on the vampire tale of Nosferatu, called “Vampires in Love,” which he fixed and slightly changed until he arrived at the final product: “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” So yes, this 80’s anthem is basically a love song for vampires.
"Mr. Tambourine Man" by Bob Dylan
"Mr. Tambourine Man" has become one of the most famous songs in the history of music and one of Bob Dylan's undisputed masterpieces. However, this 1965 classic, which has been covered by many musicians since, has been misunderstood by many.
Most people believed the song to be an autobiographical song about Dylan finding artistic inspiration through substance use. Nonetheless, "Mr. Tambourine Man" was actually an ode to Bruce Langhorne, a touring musician who performed with Dylan and played a large Turkish frame drum that looked a lot like a tambourine.
"Waterfalls" by TLC
Anybody that grew up in the 90s will remember the famous, all-girl pop trio, TLC. In 1995, the trio broke records with their smash hit "Waterfalls," even though this was one of the most misunderstood songs of all time. Most people thought it was about slowing down and appreciating life, not rushing into things. But in reality, the song dealt with far more complex issues.
If you listen carefully to the song's lyrics and watch its music video, you will quickly realize that "Waterfalls" was actually about the severe social issues of the mid-90s, such as poverty, crime, and many other issues that made headlines back then.
"Born in the U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen
Springsteen's classic song, "Born in the U.S.A.," is an excellent example of a song that has been misunderstood for over 30 years. Even though the song's lyrics are about a man who's been sent to fight in the Vietnam War and comes home with severe psychological trauma, the loud, powerful music of the chorus made many believe it was actually some sort of 'proud to be American anthem, especially when Springsteen shouts out, "Born in the U.S.A".
In fact, it was so misunderstood that even then-president Reagan name-dropped the song, much to Springsteen's dismay. The musician vehemently explained the song's true meaning and even released an acoustic version, so the upbeat sound didn't mask the lyrics.
"Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by Green Day
This famous ballad by Green Day became a massive hit back in the day, in part due to the fact that the popular TV show 'Seinfeld' used it in its season finale in 1998. The song has become a permanent fixture in important events - graduations, proms, weddings - thanks to its nostalgic tune.
Funnily enough, it seems nobody ever stopped to properly research the song's lyrics, or its title, for that matter. The song is not about a nostalgic goodbye to unforgettable times but rather a resentful scolding towards a girlfriend who will regret leaving the "time of her life" one day.