Anyone that knows me, knows I take the lyrics to songs extremely seriously. In fact, they are the first element of a song that my mind focuses on when I hear a song for the first time. That's why I'm perplexed when people misunderstand mega famous songs. Here are three songs that people completely misinterpret the meaning to.

This Land is Your Land was Written by a Socialist!!!

The US has prided itself on good ol' fashioned self reliant bootsrappin' capitalism. Most patriotic songs of the nation reflect an American exceptionalism that even has had Uncle Sam at times mutter, “a little on the nose, don't ya think?” Which is what makes the story behind, “This Land is your Land” and it's songwriter, Woody Guthrie so interesting.

You see, Woody Guthrie grew up in the Dust Bowls, during the great depression. He saw first hand what unfettered capitalism could do to his fellow American. If you haven't read, “Bound for Glory” I urge you to read it. It is an autobiography of Woody from his childhood all the way to when he turned down performing on Broadway instead opting to play for the people outside of Broadway who could never afford the ticket of admission.

What's so Controversial with this song?

If you went to elementary school in the US, one of the first songs you learned to sing was this song. If you ask a random American to recite the a verse, they'd most likely be able to recite the first couple verses...

“This land is your land and this land is my land

From California to the New York island

From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters

This land was made for you and me.

As I went walking that ribbon of highway

I saw above me that endless skyway

Saw below me that golden valley

This land was made for you and me

I roamed and rambled and I've followed my footsteps

To the sparkling sands of her diamond deserts

All around me a voice was sounding

This land was made for you and me

When the sun come shining, then I was strolling

And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling

The voice was chanting as the fog was lifting

This land was made for you and me

This land is your land and this land is my land

From California to the New York island

From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters

This land was made for you and me

When the sun come shining, then I was strolling

And the wheat fields waving and the dust clouds rolling

The voice come a-chanting and the fog was lifting

This land was made for you and me

The lyrics describe how beautiful the landscape of America can truly be.

Well the verses that school systems decided to omit out you silly, silly goose! As mentioned earlier, Woody grew up in a time when tycoons destroyed the economy. He enlisted in World War II he hated fascism with a passion. He also believed that capitalism would lead to fascism. Woody was terrified of the US slipping into fascism like Germany. He was deathly afraid the wealthy would gobble up all the land for themselves.

There are two very curious verses the school systems always seemed to leave out when they decide what lyrics are printed in the school books...

“There was a big high wall there that tried to stop me.

The sign was painted, said 'Private Property.'

But on the backside, it didn't say nothing.

This land was made for you and me.”

Oh yeah, and this one...

One bright sunny morning in the shadow of the steeple,

by the relief office I saw my people.

As they stood hungry,

I stood there wondering if God blessed America for me.”

As much as Woody feared fascism, he feared being blacklisted a little bit more. McCarthyism was in full swing, so... probably didn't want to be blacklisted.

Today – Smashing Pumpkins

This song illustrates the genius of Billy Corgan, and I wasn't even a big Smashing Pumpkins fan. At first glance it the lyrics combine with the positive melody are very deceptive. Especially the first line of ever verse, “Today is the greatest, day I've ever known...” Those words alongside the massive riff at the begging leads the listener to believe that it's a song about being happy, right?

Nope.

It's about suicide.

Let's take a look at the lyrics:

Today is the greatest

Day I've ever known

Can't live for tomorrow

Tomorrow's much too long

I'll burn my eyes out

Before I get out

I wanted more

Than life could ever grant me

Bored by the chore

Of saving face

Today is the greatest

Day I've ever known

Can't wait for tomorrow

I might not have that long

I'll tear my heart out

Before I get out

Pink ribbon scars

That never forget

I tried so hard

To cleanse these regrets

My angel wings

Were bruised and restrained

My belly stings

Today is

Today is

Today is

The greatest day

I want to turn you on

I want to turn you on

I want to turn you on

I want to turn you

Today is the greatest

Today is the greatest day

Today is the greatest day

That I have ever really known

This song is about someone who has decided to end their own life. Billy Corgan recalled reading a research paper that stated that friends and family of people who committed suicide observed an odd behavior shift in the loved ones who attempted suicide. People that attempt suicide tend to be severely depressed which is to be expected. However, friends and family would notice a sudden upbeat type of personality in someone that they had been seriously concerned about. The research paper went on to explain this phenomenon. People who have attempted suicide and failed have explained this phenomenon as well. The phenomenon is once a person has made the choice to commit suicide, they feel like they don't have any more problems to worry about. They are actually excited about their decision.

That's why the person in the song believes that, 'Today is the greatest day he's ever known.' It's because in his mind, he's solved all of his problems.

Every Breath you take – The Police

This one is humorous even for Sting, the lead singer of The Police. This was one of their biggest hits of their career. Again, a melody can be very misleading if you focus on all of the lyrics, not just some of them. Most people think this is a love song, but it is not. Let's look at the lyrics:

Every breath you take
Every move you make
Every bond you break
Every step you take

I'll be watching you

Every single day
Every word you say
Every game you play
Every night you stay

I'll be watching you

Oh, can't you see
You belong to me
How my poor heart aches
With every step you take

Every move you make
Every vow you break
Every smile you fake
Every claim you stake

I'll be watching you

Since you've gone I've been lost without a trace

I dream at night I can only see your face

I look around but it's you I can't replace

I feel so cold and I long for your embrace

I keep crying baby, baby please

Oh, can't you see

You belong to me

How my poor heart aches

With every step you take

Every move you make

Every vow you break

Every smile you fake

Every claim you stake

I'll be watching you

Every move you make

Every step you take

I'll be watching you

I'll be watching you

I'll be watching you

I'll be watching you

I'll be watching you

Whoo, hoo

(Every game you play)

(Every night you stay) I'll be watching you

I'll be watching you

(Every single day)

(Every word you say)

(Every game you play)

(Every night you stay) I'll be watching you

(Every move you make)

(Every vow you break)

(Every smile you fake)

(Every claim you stake) I'll be watching you

(Every single day)

(Every word you say)

(Every game you play)

(Every night you stay) I'll be watching you

This song is about a stalker who is obsessed with someone. Sting has commented numerous times it never fails to surprise him that strangers will tell him that their wedding song was, “Every Breath you Take.”

It's also a pain to play on guitar!