The world of classic rock has gifted us with many timeless tunes, but often, there’s more to these songs than meets the ear.

Hotel California

Artist: The Eagles

Hotel California remains one of the most iconic and enigmatic songs in rock history. While it’s easy to interpret the song as a simple tale of a weary traveler checking into an eerie hotel, the band members have hinted at a more profound interpretation. Don Henley, the song’s co-writer, once described it as a reflection on “the dark underbelly of the American dream”.

American Pie

Artist: Don McLean

While McLean famously said, “It means I don’t ever have to work again,” many believe the song pays homage to the the plane crash that involved Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. Richardson.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds

Artist: The Beatles

While many people believe this song to describe the 60s counterculture movement, John Lennon actually claimed that the inspiration came from a drawing by his son Julian, which Julian titled “Lucy – in the sky with diamonds”.

Every Breath You Take

Artist: The Police

While this song is often mistaken for a romantic ballad, a closer look at the lyrics reveals a darker undertone. Written by Sting, the song is actually about an obsessive stalker, and was written while he was going through a divorce from his wife.

Born in the U.S.A.

Artist: Bruce Springsteen

Springsteen’s anthemic chorus might have you believing this is a patriotic rally cry, but the song actually tells a different story. Touching upon the effects of the Vietnam War on American veterans, the song criticizes the U.S. government’s treatment of soldiers upon their return home.