Double Meanings in Music

The best part of music is undoubtedly its listening experience, but it has countless parts that contribute to the experience. Among the chorus, instrumental, intro, and outro, the lyricism and its use of clever wordplay is another undeniably satisfying component of a song. Gavin Esqueda (10) expresses his appreciation, sharing, “Personally I find more value and enjoyment in songs that have a double meaning and use wordplay. It really displays a window into the artist’s deep imagination and raw emotion. It’s usually these songs that can bring you to tears with their gut-wrenching melodies and tear jerking stories, and I believe those are the best kinds of songs.” Hidden meanings or wordplay that create double meanings within lyrics have become greatly popular; contemporary pop stars such as Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, and Conan Gray have produced songs with witty double meanings.

Taylor Swift has countless songs across her many albums featuring wordplay and her “Mastermind” thought process has become a signature. Living up to her name, her lyrics in “imgonnagetyouback” from her latest release, The Tortured Poet’s Department, feature a double meaning in the title. Emma Wang (10) explains the song concisely as she expresses, “I especially enjoy the songwriting of ‘imgonnagetyouback,’ as I think the double meaning of getting someone back into a relationship versus getting revenge is extremely clever, but can be fun at the same time.” The two emotions directly oppose each other, either pushing Swift to be his wife or smashing up his bike in a rage. To further enunciate her torn feelings, Swift writes, “But once you fix your face I’m going in.” The action can be read as a romantic kiss or going into a disagreement that will end badly. The confirmation of this wordplay comes in the bridge where Swift admits, “Told my friends I hate you, but I love you just the same.” In this admission, she reveals to the listeners just how similar her feelings of love and hate are, thus her inability to give one clear answer and one clear meaning to her lyrics. (Capital)

In the same vein, Olivia Rodrigo also writes “get him back!” in her most recent release, Guts, where she considers between getting her ex back as a partner or getting him back in an act of revenge (Her Campus). Like Swift, Rodrigo uses a similar title that can be interpreted both ways, and the fluctuating emotions are further emphasized when the lyrics go back and forth between feelings of revenge and affection. The bridge is also where this is most apparent as Rodrigo goes back and forth between keying her ex’s car, punching him, and breaking his heart but also wanting to be the one who is there to heal him, kiss him, and cook him lunch. The line, “I wanna meet his mom” could also have a double meaning if its second meaning was not explicitly stated. The interaction with her ex’s mom could be a confrontation, ratting her ex’s faults, or an introduction as a romantic interest. (People)

Following the pattern of artists using double meanings in their most recent releases, Conan Gray comes up last with his album, Found Heaven. As the album’s title has a double meaning, the meaning can be interpreted through the songs on the album. The phrase has the double meaning of finding peace in a romantic relationship, one so satiating it feels like heaven. On the other hand, the phrase could carry a darker tone of finding heaven in the afterlife following a hectic relationship (The Daily Campus). The album’s songs reflect this contrast as the bliss of romance is expressed in the song Alley Rose, where this new and vulnerable love is explored. On the side of heartbreak is Killing Me where Gray, seemingly about the album’s double meaning, laments that prolonging his relationship is killing him more than a separation would. 

Lyricism, with or without double meanings, creates a story out of the music. Outside of wordplay, imagery, structure, and word choice contribute to a song’s lyrics and express the singer or songwriter’s past. The ability to express emotions and experiences in a condensed media that still touches the hearts of many is a skill wielded by today’s great artists. It is those great artists who bring life to music and spread their reach, gaining popularity and spreading their message.