All tagged pop music

What does "Dress" by Taylor Swift mean?

What does "Dress" by Taylor Swift mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics blog post, song lyrics meaning

I don't usually insert my opinion into my lyrics explaining blog posts, but I'll admit that "Dress" is one of the most interesting songs Taylor Swift has released to date. But it's not because the lyrics are deep or interesting or anything. It's the subject material. Never before has she gotten this sexy and this edgy, and if people are talking about anything controversial on Reputation, it's usually this song. But is this song really that sexual? Is it really that odd to hear from Taylor Swift? Yes, and, yes, but let's get into it anyway. 

What does "Dancing with Our Hands Tied" by Taylor Swift mean?

What does "Dancing with Our Hands Tied" by Taylor Swift mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics blog post, song lyrics meaning

To be completely honest, you're not going to find out what celebrity this song is about by reading my blog. I could care less whether this song is about Joe Alwyn or Tom Hiddleston or Calvin Harris or whoever. The other blogs out there that write about that stuff do a fine job (when they're not shamelessly click-baiting people and wasting your valuable time). But what I do have for you is a near-literary breakdown of the lyrics themselves. I like finding out what Taylor means and what story she's telling, and "Dancing with Our Hands Tied" gives a great opportunity to learn a little bit more about her. 

What does "Getaway Car" by Taylor Swift mean?

What does "Getaway Car" by Taylor Swift mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

While maybe not the most notable song on Reputation, I think "Getaway Car" is one of the better written ones. It tells a clear story and uses some excellent imagery and metaphors that really make that story come to life for listeners. The music, while certainly still pop, is more stripped down than previous tracks and offers a laid back, thoughtful wistfulness as Taylor recalls past experiences. 

What does "So It Goes..." by Taylor Swift Mean?

What does "So It Goes..." by Taylor Swift Mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

Musically and lyrically "So It Goes..." (heretofore referred to as "So It Goes") reminds me of "I Don't Wanna live Forever." It's sexually focused, and it's very slick and intentional, verging on dark pop. The song is focused on some new boyfriend (the Internet would have us believe Joe Alwyn) who Swift finds attractive and who she apparently feels deeply connected with. The song itself though may prove to have further surprises. 

What does "Delicate" by Taylor Swift mean?

What does "Delicate" by Taylor Swift mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

"Delicate" maintains some of the new pop sounds that Taylor's been using throughout the Reputation album, but the lyrics truly seem more like old Taylor or even "Wildest Dreams"--a little sexual, a little edgy, but overall innocent and sweet, wanting something real from a new relationship. Of course, the relationship in "Wildest Dreams" was dying or dead, and the relationship in "Delicate" seems to be just beginning.  

What does "Don't Blame Me" by Taylor Swift mean?

What does "Don't Blame Me" by Taylor Swift mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics blog post, song lyrics meaning

While "Don't Blame Me" continues shaping a Taylor Swift persona that few of us were familiar with before "Look What You Made Me Do," the music is certainly more toned back than what we heard in that song or in "...Ready For It?" The song's certainly still intense--especially those choruses--but interestingly this time it's the verses that are more stripped back--the antithesis to the hyped verses and chiller choruses of other songs that appear early in the album.

What does "I Did Something Bad" by Taylor Swift mean?

What does "I Did Something Bad" by Taylor Swift mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics blog post, song lyrics meaning

"I Did Something Bad" follows the same formula that we heard from "Look What You Made Me Do" or "...Ready For It?" Taylor Swift has turned over a new leaf, and is now a tougher, stronger, harder, version of herself. She's not going to roll over for anyone or wait for someone to come save her. She's ready to take control of her own life even if it means destroying her enemies.

What does "...Ready For It?" by Taylor Swift mean?

What does "...Ready For It?" by Taylor Swift mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics blog post, song lyrics meaning

Of all the new Taylor Swift songs, "...Ready For It?" may be the most unique and most "new." While fans weren't quite sure what to do with "Look What You Made Me Do" until the music video came out, and "Gorgeous" and "Call It What You Want" at least made a little sense as far as who we think Taylor Swift is, "...Ready For It?" left most of us scratching our heads. But that doesn't mean the doesn't mean something interesting, so let's get into it. 

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 "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 "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 "Supercut" by Lorde mean?

What does "Supercut" by Lorde mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

Lorde's new album Melodrama is here, and it's fantastic. The songs on it have more of an acoustic, dry sound than the dark, heavy sound of Pure Heroine, but that doesn't keep songs like "Supercut" from being absolutely mesmerizing. In fact, the dry, clear sound brings the lyrics to the forefront as Lorde works through and seeks to understand a new young adult stage in her life that was the natural sequel to her ode to teenager-hood in Pure Heroine. 

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.

Podcast: TOP 10 Most Meaningful Popular Songs of 2016

Podcast: TOP 10 Most Meaningful Popular Songs of 2016

Clifford Stumme
pop music discussion, podcast

So, I researched all of the Top 10 songs of 2016 (according to Billboard.com), and I found 58 songs that were extremely popular in 2016. It just so happens that 10 of these songs (with two honorable mentions) were also rather deep and had interesting things to say. So, today my beautiful wife April and I discuss these songs and what exactly their meanings are (and, in April's case, why I might be wrong). Enjoy!

What does "Believer" by Imagine Dragons mean?

What does "Believer" by Imagine Dragons mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

Imagine Dragons has always been one of my favorite bands, and they've released something beautiful in "Believer." The song was released just a few days before the writing of this post, and I've already explained it on my YouTube channel, but I thought it deserved a little bit of a longer look. This song has something deep to say, and it's reminiscent of "Sucker for Pain"--a song that Imagine Dragons collaborated on for the Suicide Squad movie.

What does "Paris" by The Chainsmokers mean?

What does "Paris" by The Chainsmokers mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

I think "Paris" by The Chainsmokers is going to be one of the deepest songs I've explained in a while. And I'm honestly surprised. "Closer" was decently deep, but "All We Know" disappointed me. The duo seems to hit and miss as far as depth or insight of lyrics go, but I think "Paris" is a home run of sorts. They refrain from making their song everything a pump-up, dance song could be as far as energy and lyrics go. And instead they slow it down, turn down the dial a little, and focus on what the words are saying. This isn't a requirement for every song by any means, but I'm glad to see the diversity in their songwriting, and am excited to explain "Paris."

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