The real meaning behind these songs is heartbreaking
There are songs that you love singing in the car, some that make you cry, and songs that you just can’t get out of your head no matter what you do.
But then there are songs that you’ve been happily humming away to, possibly for years, and then later on you find out that the message behind the song is pretty far from where you had imagined.
The real meaning behind these five songs will break your heart. Grab a tissue.
The Green Green Grass of Home – Tom Jones
While it sounds like a story of a young man returning to his home town after a long time away, in fact it’s actually about a young man waking up in prison on his execution day.
Hey Jude – The Beatles
The classic Beatles track was written by Paul McCartney and dedicated to John Lennon’s son, Julian. It was intended to give him some comfort as his parents were getting divorced.
Shine On Your Crazy Diamond – Pink Floyd
The song Shine On was written by Pink Floyd as a nod to Syd Barrett, their band member who had suffered a mental breakdown. It’s said that as they were finalising the lyrics a strange looking man entered the studio and sat down. It took them 45 minutes to realise that it was Syd. None of the band members would see him again after that day.
Save The Last Dance For Me – The Drifters
The song was inspired by the personal experience of the songwriter Doc Pomus, from his own wedding day. Doc recalled watching his brother dance with his new bride while he sat in his wheelchair, as he had polio. He started penning the lyrics to the song on the back of his wedding invitation.
I Don’t Like Mondays – The Boomtown Rats
Lead singer Bob Geldof was inspired to write the song after hearing about a story in the news of a 1979 shooting at a school in California, where two adults were killed and eight children were injured. It’s alleged that a reporter contacted the killer Brenda Spencer by telephone and asked her why she carried out the shooting, to which she replied ‘I don’t like Mondays.’
Related links:
The surprising real names of famous singers
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s secret feud
10 songs that always bring a tear to your eye