Top 20 80s Song Meanings That Everyone Gets WRONG

#20: “Physical” (1981)

Olivia Newton-John
You know how those “Kidz Bop” albums often make even the raunchiest tunes fun for the whole family? “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John is somewhat similar, in that the tune used to be associated just as often with fitness as it was with…well, you know: what it’s actually about. It’s not as if “Physical” doesn’t utilize every double entendre in the book, while also possessing a fairly obvious music video clip. Still, that didn’t stop some outlets from selling Olivia Newton-John’s song as some sort of ode to feeling great and looking great. The singer herself even revealed to “Woman’s Day” how she didn’t even make the connection back in the day.

#19: “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” (1985)

Simple Minds
It’s one of the most poignantly beautiful songs from the 1980s. But “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” isn’t about a romantic breakup. Heck, Simple Minds didn’t even want to record this song for “The Breakfast Club” soundtrack, and actively distanced themselves from it after the studio sessions were finished. Simple Minds vocalist Jim Kerr[a] told The Guardian about how they “couldn’t give a toss about teenage American schoolkids,” and also how the song’s power chords were conceived to parody “typical” American AOR rock. Yet, to this day, “Don’t You (Forget About Me) strikes a melancholic chord within most listeners, despite its lyrical origins originating from schoolyard subdivisions, rather than romantic love.

#18: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (1985)

Tears For Fears
You just have to respect a song that continues to receive reappraisal and discussion forty years after its initial release. “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” has been called everything from a “Cold War anthem” by The Economist to National Review’s claim that the song was a conservative one. Band members Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal[b] have gone on record stating how “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” comments about corruption, desire and control. Meanwhile, some fans still feel the tune is discussing world domination on a literal level. Ultimately, this is yet another reason why this song, and Tears For Fears, are so freakin’ good.

#17: “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” (1983)

Eurythmics
A lot of things probably come to mind when most music fans hear “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” by Eurythmics. The iconic Marilyn Manson cover version is probably up there, but the lyrical content isn’t likely far behind. There really isn’t anything particularly “sweet” about this song’s subject matter, which warns against idealism in a world where those dreams can easily be dashed. “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” knows that people will be people, and chasing those dreams can only take you so far, should human nature get in the way.

#16: “Don’t Stop Believin’” (1981)

Journey
It’s a tale as old as time. A young person from the country moves to the big city with big dreams and aspirations. Then reality comes crashing down, and that initial optimism is replaced by cynicism about how the world works, and why we dream about anything in the first place. “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey actually does include some of this sentiment within its lyrics, although the tune’s melodicism tends to overshadow this fact. “Don’t Stop Believin’” isn’t a hopeless song, but its story of small town boys and girls doesn’t omit the struggles and heartbreak that can occur along the way.

#15: “Billie Jean” (1983)

Michael Jackson
We can’t fault the average pop radio fan for hearing a song with a person’s name in the title, and automatically connecting a few thematic lines. That said, “Billie Jean” is most definitely NOT a love song or an ode to the titular character. Instead, this Michael Jackson classic comments about how sex can often come easy to famous people, and about how there will always be those out there seeking to capitalize upon this fact. The “Billie Jean” in Jackson’s song has brought a child into the world and is seeking paternity support from the singer. Jackson’s protagonist, in the meantime, maintains that “the kid is not my son.” It’s about lies and deception, not romance.

#14: “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1983)

Cyndi Lauper
It’s wild how much “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” has changed over the years. The original tune by Robert Hazard[c] was initially written without much in mind other than sex. Fast forward to Cyndi Lauper’s cover of the tune, and you have an entirely different kettle of fish. The lyrics to Lauper’s version have largely been seen as a forward-thinking commentary about feminism and the unfair, patriarchal constraints upon women. This is a modern interpretation, however, with some back in ‘83 associating it more with Lauper’s connection with the WWF’s “Rock and Wrestling Connection.” In other words, it was seen more as a light-weight pop song performed by an “unusual” singer, rather than the anthem it is today.

#13: “Dancing With Myself” (1981)

Billy Idol with Generation X
The medium of music video can often influence how we analyze a song, and its lyrical content. “Texas Chain Saw Massacre” director Tobe Hooper’s clip for Billy Idol’s “Dancing With Myself” feels ripped out of a post-apocalyptic hellscape from the “Mad Max” universe. This feels more in line with the tune’s actual lyrical intent from Idol, who told Rolling Stone “Dancing With Myself” was about disenfranchised ‘80s youth. Conversely, many music fans at the time (and today) instead see the song in a more prurient light, taking the “Dancing With Myself” line to be something more akin to a solo sexual act.

#12: “Luka” (1987)

Suzanne Vega
Sometimes, a song’s beauty can work against it. The production and arrangement of “Luka” by Suzanne Vega practically sparkle with life, making it a highly melodic piece that sounds like a million bucks. This perhaps has influenced why the darkness within this song’s actual lyrics falls by the wayside. “Luka” is actually about the harrowing and violent family life endured by the title protagonist. Listeners are required to focus intently upon Vega’s powerful lyrics in order to wean this information out, which can admittedly be tough to do when the musicality is this engaging. That said, doing so blends the beauty of “Luka” with a sour flavor that’s challenging to swallow, but ultimately necessary.

#11: “Total Eclipse of the Heart (Turn Around)” (1983)

Bonnie Tyler
To quote Maxwell Smart, Bonnie Tyler fans… Or, at least they missed the mark when it came to analyzing lyrics from Tyler’s smash hit, “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Because the tune is a love song…just not in a traditional sense. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” was actually intended by its songwriter, Jim Steinman, to be used in a musical about Nosferatu. This is why lyrics like “forever’s gonna start tonight” and “your love is like a shadow” feel tailor-made for a gothic, undead romance. Yet, most of us completely ignore these little details…well, at least prior to today. Now, we can’t UN-hear them, and you won’t be able to, either. You’re welcome!

#10: “Don’t You Want Me” (1981)

The Human League
We all like catchy songs, right? Driving around and singing along without a care in the world. “Don’t You Want Me” by The Human League definitely feels like one of those songs where the chorus is just so BIG and memorable, that the lyrics admittedly kind of fall by the wayside. This is a shame, because closer analysis reveals that this otherwise simple song about a character wanting another to reciprocate his desires for romantic reconciliation is actually much more sinister. The verses act as not-so-thinly veiled threats from the protagonist against a woman who is now successful and out of his control. This makes “Don’t You Want Me” feel more like a gaslighter/stalker anthem than anything remotely sympathetic.

#9: “Turning Japanese” (1980)

The Vapors
Get your collective minds out of the gutter, people! And also, out of the cultural appropriation while we’re at it - although that’s admittedly a pretty tall order when it comes to “Turning Japanese” by The Vapors. The accompanying video utilizes every Asian stereotype in the book, while lyrical analysis of “Turning Japanese” has historically been a very lazy, “it’s about self-gratification and that’s it,” sort of deal. Instead, The Vapors’ David Fenton has admitted in outlets such as The Guardian and Songwriting Magazine that the chorus really doesn’t mean anything, other than being catchy. Instead, “Turning Japanese” is a breakup song, about pining and obsessing over pictures or memories about an ex during those earliest days of pain.

#8: “The One I Love” (1987)

R.E.M.
The song is called “The One I Love”. How can this one not be a love song right? And in 1987, Michael Stipe told Rolling Stone that “It's probably better that they just think it's a love song at this point.” However, while the song is relatively light on lyrics, most of them are anything but loving. In reference to the titular “one I love” Stipe refers to “A simple prop to occupy my time.” As he said in a different interview at the time, “It's very clear that it’s about using people over and over again.” So, basically, you might wanna think twice before you add this to your Spotify “Romantic” playlist.

#7: “There She Goes” (1988)

The La’s[d]
With lyrics referencing the “she” in the song’s title as “Racing through my brain,” “Pulsing through my vein,” and “No one else could heal my pain,” it’s no surprise many have interpreted this song to be about struggles with substance use. And given the reputation of the prime mover of the La’s, Lee Mavers, all the pieces seem to fit together perfectly. And that assumption was incredibly widespread when the song became a hit. But here’s the thing: Mavers and other members of the band have consistently denied that the song has anything to do with that, nor does Mavers’ personal history at the time of its recording. So we’ll take him at this word.

#6: “Hallelujah” (1984)

Leonard Cohen
“Hallelujah’ is overflowing with religious references from King David to Samson. Despite the divine nature of the song, the oft-repeated hallelujah is not intended to express worship, but rather deep pain from a man who has experienced love turned sour. Each hallelujah is spoken a little more tongue in cheek with tragic love stories such as David’s romantic encounter with Bathsheba interwoven throughout. There’s a reason this song remains so relevant today, as it embodies the sensation of great sorrow so profoundly, despite lyrics suggesting adoration and exaltation upon first impression.

#5: “Summer of ‘69” (1985)

Bryan Adams
We all know that guy in high school who couldn’t go without making a low hanging sexual joke any time someone mentioned the number 69. It turns out that Bryan Adams’ nostalgic rock classic was never reminiscent of that final summer of the 1960s, as Adams would have only been 10 at the time. Bryan has gone on to admit that the musical experiences are merely filler, and the intended meaning is to detail a summer full of lots and lots of sex. It turns out this time around, immature high school guy was right, and the most obvious of innuendos slipped right under our noses.

#4: “In the Air Tonight” (1981)

Phil Collins
Allegedly, Phil Collins wrote this song after witnessing someone drown while another man refused to help. While this would certainly add layers to Collin’s character, it begs several questions. Namely, if Collins saw this all happen, why couldn’t he just jump in and save his friend? It turns out that he was actually expressing his emotions during a devastating divorce. He intended to vent his sporadic anger toward the situation without really giving the song an exact direction. It’s now considered one of the greatest songs of all time, and likely one of the few examples of divorce leading to a financial gain.

#3: “Like a Virgin” (1984)

Madonna
If the guys in Reservoir Dogs are any indication as to public perception of this song, it’s safe to say most people think it’s about, well, sex. But Madonna cleared this up in the most remarkable fashion, sending director Quentin Tarantino an autograph exclaiming that the song is “about love.” Written by songwriter Billy Steinberg, it compares the feeling of emotional destruction after a relationship with the shiny new feeling of falling in love again. At this point we’re at a loss whether our minds are in the gutter, or we’re painfully naïve. Either way, the double meaning of the song has surely helped it become one of her biggest hits ever.

#2: “Every Breath You Take” (1983)

The Police
With seemingly loving lyrics and a catchy guitar hook, this song sounds like it belongs at a wedding reception or a school dance. However, the song is actually about a stalker, and the lyrics make no mistakes about this. They actually say the words “every bone you break, I’ll be watching you” and that’s not even the creepy bit. It’s best not to analyze this one too much. The focal image of the music video is a window washer while the girl in question never once even makes an appearance. What may have started as a pleasant toe-tapper kinda makes you wanna take a shower when you realize what it’s all about.

#1: “Born in the U.S.A.” (1984)

Bruce Springsteen
This essential 4th of July power ballad likely conjures up images of fireworks, American flags and freedom. It’s truly an iconic song of patriotism … until you realize that Bruce Springsteen basically spends the entire song criticizing America with respect to how working-class veterans of the Vietnam War were treated. Starting out, the song recounts the story of a man born dirt poor and constantly in trouble. He then goes off to war, and things just get worse from there. All the while, the ever-popular chorus is repeated again and again. It’s hard to believe that this song is played right next to the likes of “God Bless the U.S.A.” when its message couldn’t be any different.

Which era of music do you feel had the MOST amount of misunderstood songs? Let us know in the comments!

[a]care https://youtu.be/-GKC5rmDRzM?si=4oyX8nq-_0RlU6Le&t=4
[b]https://youtu.be/reblJjOJlPc?si=xS8jUzLhO42SxlUk&t=91
[c]https://youtu.be/SqpT_f1p1JE?si=DOhB3tkw5V6FBVai&t=120
[d]https://youtu.be/FswF_rTlkrY?si=nomWH0KBxezFkyZ_&t=21