Questionable Meanings 1: Song Lyrics

I like fun, catchy music as much as everyone else does. But me being me, I can't just listen to music superficially. As I learn the lyrics to songs, I start to really listen to the lyrics, and start noticing things that most people probably don't notice.

So as I procrastinate for my kanji exam tomorrow, I've decided it's time to examine a couple of songs I rather enjoy, and explain how deep down, they actually have horrible, horrible meanings.

Subject A: No One Else - Weezer

On the surface, it sounds like a cute song about how the singer wants a girlfriend who isn't constantly trying to impress other guys, only him. But if you listen carefully, it's actually about a really possessive guy who wants his girlfriend to put him before everything and everyone else. Let's examine the following lyrics, shall we?

I want a girl who will laugh for no one else
When I'm away she puts her makeup on the shelf
When I'm away she never leaves the house
I want a girl who laughs for no one else

See that lyric there? The one about never leaving the house? I smell possessive boyfriend, yes yes. I guess the rest of the song isn't all that possessive-sounding... but still. I feel like the chorus is pretty significant. A girl can't choose to be pretty just to be pretty. She has to put on make-up for her boyfriend (which implies that without said make-up she might not be suitable for said-boyfriend). Oh yeah, and she can't have friends, right? Cause she isn't supposed to laugh for anyone but her wonderful man. Hmmm... I dunno, man, I just don't know.

Subject B: Our Love Was Saved By Spacemen - The Pipettes

I really love this song. I love the concept of songs about alien abductions. I love the way the song sounds. And at first glance, this song seems pretty cute and happy. But, really, it's about a relationship gone wrong, and now that this guy's memory has been erased, he has once again fallen in love with his girlfriend.

He used to be so cruel
Took our love for a game
He played me for a fool
Until the day those Martians came

And now he's falling in love again
With me
It's like we're back to the start again
And I'm as happy as can be

Now the girlfriend seems pretty happy about the fact that their love was "saved", but not gonna lie, if the boyfriend was as bad as a person as she describes in the rest of the song, would you really want to get back together with him, knowing how much of a jerk he really is? And wouldn't the relationship logically fall apart again...? He may have lost his memory, but he'll have the same asshole tendencies as before, no?

Today's Conclusion

Now, do these songs become bad because their lyrics are somewhat questionable? Not at all. I still really love both of them. But I would refrain from calling either of these songs romantic in any way. The first is about being possessive, and the second is about wanting to be in a potentially-abusive (or at least loveless) relationship. Saying these songs are romantic would be like saying that "Every Breath You Take" by The Police is romantic... which, I guess it is, if you like stalkers.