Project Gramophone – Music in all its forms

Many had been written about compilations of the best songs of all time, or top songs on the Billboard 100. Much space had also been allocated for lyrics of the different songs that became hits time and again. However, why is it that very few pages had been devoted to interpreting a particular song? You see, aside from the melody, many people would stop and listen to the lyrics of the songs. They would always love to learn why the artist was able to write them or sing them well. Are there special connections and reasons on why they were created? What or who was their inspiration? So many questions… And yet, so few answers. So here’s speculating on the meanings and messages that the best song lyrics on the list below:

1. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen

Voted as the number one all time favourite song of Britain in 2002, who would not be intrigued on the meaning of its lyrics? Well, admit it: the tune was catchy enough. But if you listen very carefully, you will know that it tells of a story in an effortless way that will make you shake your head in wonder. According to sources, the composer, Freddie Mercury, designed it to have operatic touches. And now, years later, the meaning of the best song lyrics is not really known. Music enthusiasts say that Bohemian could refer to anything that is beyond the usual. Many say that it was about a man who made a pact with the Devil and there were even references to some terms in the Quran. Others talked about it discussing about the various problems that one can encounter in life. But what does it exact mean? The answer is: no one knew. Mercury brought it with him when he passed away. His band members sang the song – and enjoyed doing it, actually. But they did not ask why. Well, what do you know? Its mystery actually added to its appeal.

2. Imagine by John Lennon

This one is easy to understand, yet whenever it is brought to the light, how come the debates become endless? Some find the best song lyrics as a blatant message for communism, while others think that it is about unity of all people on earth. Well, just remember that they keyword is imagine and the singer is quite aware that it is not real. However, he invites his listeners to do it – even for a short period of time. Could it really exist? A Utopia where everyone is equal and nations are not divided? Well, Lennon seems to think so.

3. Let It Be by The Beatles

Paul McCartney wrote this song and you might wonder where this is coming from. While many are affected by its Christian and spiritual connotation, the original story was one night when Paul was having some problems, he dreamed of his mother who died when he was 14. Her name was incidentally, Mary. Do you see the connection now?

4. Respect by Aretha Franklin

And who wouldn’t want some respect? This is even more famous than the original version which was released by Otis Redding . Told from a woman’s point of you, the women loved the demand and the men were just too glad to give it.

5. What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye

When singer Marvin Gaye took a sabbatical leave from the music industry, he got caught by the political situation during his time in which leaders like Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. were assassinated. A song that tackled the political and social problems that rule the society, it simply asked a matter-of-fact question. What’s going on?

6. Every Breath You Take by The Police

The group’s front man Sting, wrote this after he got separated from his first wife. Perhaps because of the tune, many people interpret it as a love song because it would seem like the persona couldn’t seem to get over his love for his girl. Unfortunately, the composer himself revealed that it is about being jealous, stalking, and being possessive. Now, that’s new.

7. Stop This Train by John Mayer

This is a simple piece of art which equates train and time. If you listen closely to the lyrics, you will know that it is about growing old and thinking of people going one by one. And in the end, the realisation hits you: just like you cannot stop the train, you also cannot stop the time.

8. Name by Goo Goo Dolls

The inspiration came from the life story of the lead singer, John Rzeznik who sang this song to his sister who raised him because their parents died when they were young – so they never knew much about them.

9. Yesterday by The Beatles

The credits for the composition go to Paul McCartney and it was the first Beatle song that captured the adult market. It talks about what has passed – yesterday.

10. One by U2

This one talked about a falling relationship and the persona is asking how they are no longer one.

So with the knowledge of the interpretations of the best song lyrics above, you know what to do the next time you hear them again: close your eyes and imagine the stories behind the music and lyrics.