The Stories Behind The Lyrics Of Popular Songs

By Author: Bei Maniago
Total Articles: 16
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Songs can have a rather curious and interesting history. After all, as with any form of art, writing lyrics and creating music can be very personal. Often, the lyrics and the music touch the most personal insights and experiences of the artist. Therefore, we have songs that are semi-autobiographical, or songs that are obviously based on the life—or a particular moment in a life—of an artist, singer, or musician. Sometimes, even though the artist didn't write the lyrics of the songs himself, the songwriters base the lyrics on the artist's life anyway, to give a more personal touch. The personal aspect of a song can help an album sell—the way memoirs and autobiographies are currently the most popular books.

So there are times when a particular song and song lyrics have an interesting history due to their personal touches. A song may have been inspired by an observation made by the artist, a personal experience, a dialogue heard inside a coffee shop. The story behind the song and the lyrics are often as interesting as the song itself. And, of course, these stories add depth to the lyrics and the music ...
... of the song. Here are two notable examples on how these back stories can enhance the charm of a song.

Do You Want To, by Franz Ferdinand

Often considered as an avant-garde band, thanks to their unconventional hits, Franz Ferdinand has the most peculiar set of songs. Do You Want To is an example. The lyrics of Do You Want To read a personal monologue or rant. When I woke up tonight / I said I'm gonna make somebody love me / I'm Gonna make somebody love me / And now I know, now I know, now I know / I know that it's you / You're Lucky, lucky, you're so lucky, the first part of the song goes, and it doesn't really give the listeners a clear idea of what it is all about.

The succeeding lines of the lyrics are more revealing, when it goes Well he's a friend and we're so proud of ya / Your famous friend well I blew him before ya. According to Alex Kapranos, a member of the band, the lyrics of the song were inspired by conversations they heard in a party. Basically, the lyrics contain some of the words he heard women shout at him.

I Wanna Hold Your Hand, by The Beatles

When you look at the lyrics of I Wanna Hold Your Hand, it may seem as if this song is uninspired compared to the other songs they have written. The message of the song is simple—if you can even call it a message—but the simple lyrics and the catchy pop-rock tune appealed not only to the British but also to the Americans. In fact, this song was their first—and their biggest—hit in America, enabling them to penetrate the country's music industry. So how was this song written?

According to Brian Epstien, he merely instructed John Lennon and Paul McCartney to write a song that would appeal to Americans, since their previous attempts in the country failed. The duo wrote the song in the house basement of McCartney's girlfriend, where he stayed as a guest. While the two had a number of disagreements with the credits of songs they have co-written, both agreed that I Wanna Hold Your Hold was very co-written.

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