| Violent Femmes – American Music Lyrics | 4 years ago |
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@[LR4:34403] --- Forgot to mention. The reason American Music is mentioned is because there's something of this duality in American folk music (which was a big influence on the Violent Femmes). Many American folk songs sound sweet and simple musically, but the lyrics are very dark; telling stories of adultery, murder, deaths, suicides. (Even the "children's" folk song "O My Darling" is about a lover falling into the sea and drowning.) American music then becomes a metaphor for his personality...a mix of light and dark...of weirdness and normality. He's looking for someone who likes that contrast in "American Music" hoping they will like it in him as well. |
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| Violent Femmes – American Music Lyrics | 4 years ago |
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I'd say this song is about the conflict between "being yourself" and "being normal." The song shows a person pulled in two directions internally. One part is pulled toward "darker" things (e.g. drug use). But, there is also a desire to be a part of "normal" things, popular things (e.g. prom). Ultimately, the person in the song is hoping they can find another person who will help them to unite and deconflict these desires. Someone, who is torn like they are...and can help them move toward normal things when they get too dark...but can also let them feel at ease when embracing their own individuality (even when it's a bit weird, or destructive). I think this is why the lake and moon is mentioned. The ugly lake reminds him of itself...it seems rather calm on the surface...but there is a lot going on underneath all that. There's darkness, things hidden, it can be dangerous. And the ugly moon reminds him of his real (or imagined) romantic partner. The moon pulls on Lake Michigan...it moves it. It doesn't let it be still and dwell in darkness alone. |
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| Meat Loaf – Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad Lyrics | 4 years ago |
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@[gjames:32900] - Spot on. Just to add what might help clarify. When the woman left him in the past, saying she would never love him....that means he no longer trusts and believes her now that she claims she does love him. So he's saying thag he wants and needs her, but, since she destroyed the trust he had in her, that will never again become love. |
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| Courtney Love – For Once In Your Life Lyrics | 4 years ago |
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I have to disagree with other comments. The studio version (with slightly altered lyrics) makes the meaning of this song much more clear. This is not a break up song. This is not a love song. Not exactly anyway... This is a song she's singing to herself. Her "good side" is singing it to her "bad side." The "you just don't love me" is saying that her "bad side" is fueled my self-hatred. And that leads to do self-destructive things, and to hurt other people. This song is about her seeing this fact about herself. And she "just doesn't care". She doesn't care why the bad side does these things...she's just sick of it. She wants it to stop. Because her good side is the "only perfect choice." And she's sure her good side will win (you've met your match)...and her good side, that loves herself, has finally "found her voice" with this song. |
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