All tagged music

What does "Look What You Made Me Do" by Taylor Swift mean?

What does "Look What You Made Me Do" by Taylor Swift mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

"Look What You Made Me Do" has to be the most contentious song of my Taylor Swift-listening lifetime. I thought "Bad Blood" was a departure for her, but "Look What You Made Me Do" seems to have even less to do with the sweet, pure, country singer in songs like "Mean" or "Our Song." Of course, Taylor Swift as an artist certainly is allowed to change and develop, but I don't think anyone six years ago or even three would have expected this. Of course, that's not me saying that "Look What You Made Me Do" is a bad song--that's for you to decide--but both music and lyrics are clear departures for her. 

What does "4:44" by Jay-Z mean?

What does "4:44" by Jay-Z mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics blog post, song lyrics meaning

You're going to have a heart attack, but I didn't really get into music until after Jay-Z stopped producing music because he had to manage a label and not seem like he was biased towards promoting his own music. So, that being said, I don't know a lot about him other than all of the all-but-confirmed (by his and Beyonce's lyrics) rumors that he cheated on Beyonce. But I feel like "4:44" is about all of the introduction I need to who he is. He lays out everything here. 

What does "Praying" by Kesha mean?

What does "Praying" by Kesha mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics blog post, song lyrics meaning

Due to an exclusive contract with Dr. Luke, Kesha has not been able to record or release music as an artist since 2014, the year she began a lawsuit claiming that Dr. Luke's contract was unlawful and enabled him to control every aspect of her life. Thankfully, in March of 2017, Dr. Luke's position as CEO of his record label expired, and Sony, the company who owns that record label didn't renew his contract and appears to have released Kesha from her contract. So, now she's able to release "Praying" and later in August Rainbow.

What does "Rise Up" by Imagine Dragons mean?

What does "Rise Up" by Imagine Dragons mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

I've already explained seven out of the eleven songs on Evolve, and I'm not going to explain every song on the album. Two of the ones I've explained so far have been unfortunately rather shallow or rather vague in a "pop music sort of way" that leaves me wanting something deeper from Dan Reynolds and Imagine Dragons. So, to make sure that I wasn't wasting time, I looked at the last four I hadn't explained yet and decided that "Rise Up" was likely the deepest one I hadn't explained. The song's interesting, written almost entirely by band members, and focuses on a theme of improving one's self. Let's see if it stands up to explication.

What does "Yesterday" by Imagine Dragons mean?

What does "Yesterday" by Imagine Dragons mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

While explaining several of the songs from Imagine Dragons's new Evolve album, I've the album playing in the background, and few songs have piqued my interest like "Yesterday." Each time it comes on, my ears perk up and I wonder, "Wait, what song is that?" I think it's because Imagine Dragons seems to be digging further back into the indie/alternative roots with this song. There's the eclectic voice emphasized and a bouncing, pounding drum-piano medley to give the track character and texture.

What does "I Don't Know Why" by Imagine Dragons means?

What does "I Don't Know Why" by Imagine Dragons means?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

"I Don't Know Why" is the first song from Imagine Dragons's new album Evolve. It might be one of the poppiest songs we've ever heard from them (at least until you listen to "Start Over" which goes so far as to adopt a Justin Bieber jungle beat). "I Don't Know Why" only goes so far as to be a pulsing, pumping pop rock smasher that reminds me more of Demi Lovato or Maroon 5. The song is intense, sexy, and lyrically focused on dangerous love.

What does "Whatever It Takes" by Imagine Dragons mean?

What does "Whatever It Takes" by Imagine Dragons mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

We're moments away (at the time of the writing of this) from Imagine Dragons dropping Evolve and the seven songs from them that we haven't heard yet. While waiting, I realized I hadn't blogged about "Whatever It Takes" yet, so I decided I'd better give it a shot. I've already blogged about it and made a video explaining it, but it's time to get serious and to explain it line-by-line. 

What does "Champion" by Fall Out Boy mean?

What does "Champion" by Fall Out Boy mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

I've honestly not been that big a fan of Fall Out Boy in the past, but I do love how they give something deeper in their lyrics. They give us a meaning, and they often use allusions or pop culture references that add a layer of complexity to their lyrics. This depth is probably the reason that you're here after Googling something like "champion lyrics meaning Fall Out Boy." I knew you'd be here, so I've explained the lyrics below in an attempt to help you better understand and connect with the lyrics of this band that we both respect. 

What does "Creature Comfort" by Arcade Fire mean?

What does "Creature Comfort" by Arcade Fire mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

I've never really listened to Arcade Fire until recently, and I still hadn't explained any song but "I Give You the Power" until now, but I've got an old work associate who every time I see him asks if I'm going to start explaining Arcade Fire. And I honestly wasn't enthused about the idea. They aren't as popular as the bands I usually review, and I didn't know what to make of them.

What does "Hard Feelings/Loveless" by Lorde mean?

What does "Hard Feelings/Loveless" by Lorde mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

I really, really like the sound of "Hard Feelings/Loveless," and before we go any further, you should know that this song is two songs stuck together. There's an understated musical transition between the two, but they really are two different songs or two different stages in the action of the story being told here. In "Hard Feelings," we hear Lorde singing softly and reasonably, almost begging for the emotional turmoil of a breakup to treat her gently, but then in "Loveless," it all becomes too real, and she lets herself sound bitter and bratty almost, sort of a satire on heartbroken, bitter pop songs about exes. 

What does "Writer in the Dark" by Lorde mean?

What does "Writer in the Dark" by Lorde mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

This has to be one of the deeper and more maturely beautiful songs on Melodrama. In this song, Lorde accentuates the emotion she can command with her voice, and the instrumentation complements her voice and her intended lyrical meaning perfectly. The instruments are largely confined to a plain piano and background strings nearer the end, but they serve as the perfect complement in a beautiful song.

What does "All I Can Think about Is You" by Coldplay mean?

What does "All I Can Think about Is You" by Coldplay mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

"All I Can Think about Is You" by Coldplay is a slow, soft, sweet song with one main message: the same message that the title so clearly lays out. All that Chris Martin's narrator can think about is someone he's romantically interested in. Musically, the song is very impressive, it feels like it travels over several different soundscapes and backgrounds as Martin feels out the different ideas and sentiments that the lyrics are built on. 

What does "Sober II (Melodrama)" by Lorde mean?

What does "Sober II (Melodrama)" by Lorde mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

This song is one of the eeriest and saddest from Lorde's new Melodrama record. "Sober II" includes some interesting and eerie vocal gymnastics and a paired down but powerful sounding instrumental background. I think it gets most powerful when the drumbeat kicks in over Lorde saying things like "They’ll talk about us, all the lovers / How we kiss and kill each other." The intensity here is certainly a quiet, understated one, but it may be present on the album no more anywhere than here on "Sober II."

What does "Walking the Wire" by Imagine Dragons mean?

What does "Walking the Wire" by Imagine Dragons mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

Imagine Dragons' new single "Walking the Wire" sounds strangely inspiring and anthemic compared to their last few singles, "Whatever It Takes," "Believer," and "Thunder." Those songs have been about personal empowerment or difficult truths, but "Walking the Wire" feels like it could be a heartfelt 80's ballad or the theme song to the moment in Titanic when Jack and Rose are standing at the front of the ship. Because "Walking the Wire" feels so strangely uplifting, it almost doesn't match the other songs released, especially when the dramatic guitar kicks in near the end. But it's obviously still an Imagine Dragons song. Dan Reynolds's unique voice and ability to beautifully yell each lyric with so much passion, plus a uniquely Imagine Dragons drum beat gives it their unique sound.

What does "Homemade Dynamite" by Lorde mean?

What does "Homemade Dynamite" by Lorde mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

The most impressive aspect of "Homemade Dynamite" is Lorde's ability to skillfully meld pop and alternative/indie aesthetics. The song has all the sass a pop queen could ask for, but some of the instruments in the background--particularly a whistle/synth/keyboard sound--give it a distinctly unique and eclectic vibe that doesn't take away from the vivacity of what she's saying. It's a unique song, but let's get into the lyrics.

What does "Sober" by Lorde mean?

What does "Sober" by Lorde mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

I think "Sober" may be one of the more artsy tracks on Melodrama so far. The song isn't very similar to Pure Heroine musically, but it is interesting and seems to be following the stripped back vocals, chorused background vocals, and simple beat formula that many of the other songs are following. I do like the sound of it even if I couldn't have predicted it after Pure Heroine, and I'd love to know what you think about it too!

What does "2U" by David Guetta ft. Justin Bieber mean?

What does "2U" by David Guetta ft. Justin Bieber mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

"2U" by David Guetta and featuring Justin Bieber is certainly an interesting sound, but mostly because it seems to be a combination of two sounds. You have Justin Bieber's vocals with what sounds like an early 2010's techno beat. The smooth, steadiness of his voice combined with the wide-ranging effects of the beat and instrumentals creates a sound that seems like it's always in flux, never quite ready to settle down. That nervousness gives the song energy and makes for what could very well be another chart topper. Bieber has been doing quite well as a featured guest recently on "I'm the One" and "Despacito," and "2U" might continue the trend.

What does "Witness" by Katy Perry mean?

What does "Witness" by Katy Perry mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

I don't know about you, but I've been excited for Katy Perry's new album for quite a while. I'm not a superfan of many female pop stars (or male pop stars for that matter). I prefer homegrown, sincere lyrics that the artists write themselves and that they truly mean. But something grabbed my attention about this new Witness album. I think it was on Twitter, but Katy Perry claimed that this songwriting era of hers was going to be more politically and socially minded. "Chained to the Rhythm" clearly followed that blueprint, but "Swish Swish" (a swagger track) and "Bon Appetit" (a shallow pop sex track) both seemed to contradict her new motivation. 

What does "Perfect Places" by Lorde mean?

What does "Perfect Places" by Lorde mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

Lorde's new album Melodrama comes out in one week, and "Perfect Places" seems to be the song most like Pure Heroine that I've heard so far. The music is synthy and deep, but it differs from Pure Heroine by sounding lighter and less dark. There's just something below the surface of the music--maybe something in her voice--that speaks of being happier. Or maybe it's how she sings the line "I'm nineteen, and I'm on fire." Whatever that quality is, "Perfect Places" might be my favorite song from Melodrama so far. It's Lorde, but it's older, happier Lorde, and I like who she's becoming.

Load More