Despite its title, most people who’ve heard the 1994 Weezer song, “Buddy Holly,” know it has nothing to do with the actual musician. In fact, after listening to the song’s lyrics, “You know I’m yours, and I know you’re mine, and that’s for all time,” most people assumed it was about an intimate relationship, a dedication of love. However, Weezer’s lead singer, Rivers Cuomo, claims that’s not the case at all: “It’s very platonic. Not a romantic thing at all.”
And to be fair, after carefully listening to the song’s lyrics, it becomes quite obvious that they’re not explicitly romantic. Actually, they’re almost purposely vague. Audiences just quickly assumed the song was romantic since it was about a guy singing a song about a girl. But in reality, that’s all it is – simply a guy singing about a girl.
"Just Like Heaven" by The Cure
The 80s wouldn't have been the same without The Cure, and it's no surprise that "Just Like Heaven," released in 1987, became one of their most popular songs. Although it sounds like your typical love song, the band's lead singer, Robert Smith, said there was something more complex behind the tune.
Smith explained that "the song is about hyperventilating—kissing and fainting to the floor,” and that some lyrics were actually based on his childhood memories of trying to learn and master magic tricks when he was young. Furthermore, Smith has said that “on another level, it’s about a seduction trick, from much later in my life.”
"Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams
Contrary to what many people might think, "Summer of '69" is not a nostalgic love tribute to the magical summer of 1969. The famous "Summer of '69" song, which was actually released in 1984, was not based on its writers, Canadian singer Bryan Adams and friend Jim Vallance's experiences as teenagers in '69, which should've been quite obvious to most listeners, since Adams was barely 9 years old in 1969.
Although the song does make some references to the musicians' personal lives, Adams explained that the '69 actually referred to the 69' position.
"The One I Love" by R.E.M.
Despite its title, "The One I Love" by R.E.M. is far from a love song. Actually, R.E.M. almost decided not to record it because they thought it was “too brutal, … really violent and awful,” according to Michael Stipe, the band's lead singer.
Obviously, the song's title makes us think it's another typical love song, but once you listen to the lyrics, you quickly realize this is not a song you would ever dedicate to the love of your life. For one thing, they call a lover "a simple prop to occupy my time." It's hard to think that would get you any points with your sweetheart.
"Slide" by Goo Goo Dolls
The Goo Goo Dolls were a popular 90s band, but it was their 1998 hit single, "Slide," that got them into the big leagues. At first, the upbeat song seems to be a typical story about two young lovers against the world. But apparently, the song was far less romantic than people thought.
As lead singer and songwriter Johnny Rzeznik explained, "The song is actually about these two teenage kids, and the girlfriend gets pregnant and … they’re trying to decide whether she should get an abortion, or they should get married, or what should go on."