All tagged song

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.

What does "Witness" by Katy Perry mean?

What does "Witness" by Katy Perry mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

I don't know about you, but I've been excited for Katy Perry's new album for quite a while. I'm not a superfan of many female pop stars (or male pop stars for that matter). I prefer homegrown, sincere lyrics that the artists write themselves and that they truly mean. But something grabbed my attention about this new Witness album. I think it was on Twitter, but Katy Perry claimed that this songwriting era of hers was going to be more politically and socially minded. "Chained to the Rhythm" clearly followed that blueprint, but "Swish Swish" (a swagger track) and "Bon Appetit" (a shallow pop sex track) both seemed to contradict her new motivation. 

What does "Something Just Like This" by Coldplay and The Chainsmokers mean?

What does "Something Just Like This" by Coldplay and The Chainsmokers mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics blog post, song lyrics meaning

Coldplay and The Chainsmokers are probably one of the more unlikely collaborations we'll see this year in music, but "Something Just Like This" may be one of the best collabs we'll see. Musically, it's entrancing. It's everything we love about The Chainsmokers' thoughtful and body-moving approach to EDM music with everything we love about the dry, smooth power of Chris Martin's voice. It's really the best of both worlds, and while the group is an unlooked for collaboration, personally, I'll be looking for more songs from these two groups. 

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."

What does "True Colors" by The Weeknd mean?

What does "True Colors" by The Weeknd mean?

Clifford Stumme
the weeknd, song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

"True Colors" is one of my favorite tracks from The Weeknd's album Starboy because it's one of the few that highlights and focuses on a true emotional maturity on the part of The Weeknd. The song is about a lover who has a dark past that The Weeknd feels he needs to hear about from her rather than from someone else. He asks her to explain and does so in an understanding, kind, and empathetic way.

What does "I Feel It Coming" by The Weeknd means?

What does "I Feel It Coming" by The Weeknd means?

Clifford Stumme
the weeknd, song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

I've been waiting for The Weeknd to release new singles from his upcoming Starboy album! He's an excellent musician, and I think when I first started explaining songs, he impressed me because he was proof that a pop artist could write about deeper things  while still being incredibly "poppy." The Weeknd proves it in songs like "Can't Feel My Face," "The Hills," and "Starboy."

What does "Angela" by The Lumineers mean?

What does "Angela" by The Lumineers mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

Wesley Schultz (the lead singer) opens up with, "When you left this town, with your windows down / And the wilderness inside." He hasn't completed a full thought, but we can already see that Angela is leaving behind something difficult, and that all is not well with her. It's as if though she's leaving the windows down to embrace new found freedom and to be closer to the nature around her. She's trying to let go and let all of her anger flow out of the open windows. But the true wilderness isn't the forest flying past her. It's inside of her. Her own thoughts and feelings are mysteries to her.

What does "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas mean?

What does "Dust in the Wind" by Kansas mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics blog post, song lyrics meaning

It's time for a throwback song explanation--we're going old school today. There are few songs of the last forty years that have had the impact on listeners that "Dust in the Wind" has had. For one thing, it's deeper than most songs. Anyone who throws it up next to any Justin Bieber song (or almost any current Top 40 song besides "Stressed Out" by Twenty One Pilots) is going to understand immediately that "Dust in the Wind" is a song about something (even though it's oddly about nothing).It has meaning.

What does "House of Memories" by Panic! at the Disco mean?

What does "House of Memories" by Panic! at the Disco mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics blog post, song lyrics meaning

It's time to begin explaining the last three songs from Death of a Bachelor by Panic! at the Disco. The album's been taking some interesting turns and been maintaining a steady theme of looking back at happier, wilder days while keeping up a steady appreciation for how good the future can be with a little effort and determination to be the best. "House of Memories" continues this theme using intense, choral-esque music (a sound Urie calls "operatic and evil stuff" in the Twitter video below) backing Brendon Urie's waving, strong voice. He's the man caught in a storm, but among all of the wind and waves, he and his voice are standing strong, ready for whatever comes next.

What does "Golden Days" by Panic! at the Disco mean?

What does "Golden Days" by Panic! at the Disco mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

I've been pleasantly surprised with Panic! at the Disco's songs that weren't the lead singles. There were plenty of good singles--sure--but I wasn't thrilled by the lyrics. Now, I'm kind of freakin' out over how good the album sounds. Death of a Bachelor sounds legit, and I'm loving it. There's a lot of throwback sound on here, and I've really been enjoying that. But I've also been enjoying the energy put into the singing; Brendon Urie's been doing a great job of making that energy powerful.

What does "Crazy = Genius" by Panic! at the Disco mean?

What does "Crazy = Genius" by Panic! at the Disco mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics blog post, song lyrics meaning

As you probably know if you're looking this up, Panic! at the Disco just came out with its next album, Death of a Bachelor--an album that tracks the progression and changes in the life of Brendon Urie, the only remaining original band member. And if you've been following along here on the blog, things have certainly gotten weird for him as we've seen in "Hallelujah," "Emperor's New Clothes," "Don't Threaten Me with a Good Time," "Death of a Bachelor," and "LA Devotee." 

What does "Don't Threaten Me with a Good Time" by Panic! at the Disco mean?

What does "Don't Threaten Me with a Good Time" by Panic! at the Disco mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics meaning, song lyrics blog post

Panic! at the Disco's new album Death of a Bachelor (similarly named to one of the songs on the album that I've explained) just came out on Friday, and the album's pretty rocking. I'm excited to see where it premieres on the Billboard charts after it's been out for a week, but based on what Panic! at the Disco fans have been saying, I'd have to guess that it's going to be quite popular. 

What does "Untitled 2 (Blue Faces)" by Kendrick Lamar mean? Pt. 1

What does "Untitled 2 (Blue Faces)" by Kendrick Lamar mean? Pt. 1

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics blog post, song lyrics meaning

When I started cliffordstumme.com, I think the first recommendation I got for a song to explain was anything from To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar. Unfortunately, it'd already been out for a while, so I wasn't sure that it would be a good idea. So, I've been waiting a while to be able to explain one of his songs, and finally I have an opportunity to do so! 

What does "Out of the Woods" by Taylor Swift mean?

What does "Out of the Woods" by Taylor Swift mean?

Clifford Stumme
song lyrics blog post, song lyrics meaning

Time to freak out, fanboys and fangirls. T-swizzle's not done with 1989 yet. She just released an actual music video for "Out of the Woods," and I like it. You might like it too. I used to think the song was kind of boring--too poppy and WAY to repetitive--but this music video might have converted me. At the very least, it's an easy song to sing along with, and the music video gives more context for what the song itself means.

Load More