This may seem like a random list, but the other day I heard the Pearl Jam song that you'll find on the list and thought "this is a seriously creepy song." I was reminded of several other creepy pop songs about love, and I'm not even counting intentionally spooky songs by shock rockers or death metal bands. So here we go:
#5 - "He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss)" - The Crystals (1962)
I love girl groups, and the Crystals recorded one of my faves, "He's A Rebel." Phil Spector may be crazy, but his "wall of sound" provided the template for pop masterpieces to come. And the songwriting team of Carole King and Gerry Goffin created some amazing pop records. So the fact this tale of domestic abuse is undeniable pop gem is frightening, but not surprising. The strings, the harmonies and percussion can't disguise the fact that this girl thinks her boyfriend's punches are an indication of a high level of love. "Because if he didn't care for me, I could have never made him mad" - the saddest part is the number of women who use this excuse every day!
#4 - "Every Breath You Take" - The Police (1983)
The British rock trio recorded dozens of hits, but none more sinister than this stalker's anthem. Written by lead singer Sting, "Every Breath You Take" is deceptive if you don't pay attention. At first the idea of watching one's partner's every breath is romantic (see "Don't Want To Miss A Thing") but upon closer inspection the truth is revealed. "Can't you see, you belong to me" is chilling, the bridge unveils the fact that said partner is missing. What sounds like a love song is a break up song by a man who doesn't want it to end. The double bass adds to the spooky sound.
#3 - "Last Kiss" - J Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers (1963) and Pearl Jam (1999)
This is the strangest song on the list, a first person account of the death of a girlfriend in a car accident. The lyrics are so descriptive - "the painful scream that I heard last" "something warm running in my eyes" and the chorus! The first time the song was a hit was with the Cavaliers, the matter-of-fact vocals and chipperness of 60s rock seems at odds with the depressing lyrics but there was no denying the emotion. But when Pearl Jam covered the song, Eddie Vedder's tortured reading made it even sadder.
J Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers version:
Pearl Jam version:
2: "You Are My Sunshine" - American Country Standard (first recorded 1939)
Not unlike other songs on the list, at first glance this sounds like a pretty love song. It's often sung to babies as a lullaby and has been used in many films and TV shows. But that just the chorus, if you take a listen to the verses you might get a different take. Verse two for instance:
"I'll always love you and make you happy
If you will only say the same
If you leave me and love another
You'll regret it all someday"
It's basically the same BS Mr. "He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss)" spews to keep his girl by his side. So keep singing the pretty chorus to the children, just leave the verses for the grown-ups.
Norman Blake version (from O Brother, Where Art Thou?):
1: "Beautiful Soul" - Jesse McCartney (2004)
This is when the head scratching starts. "Huh? That silly teeny-bopper song? What's so creepy about that?" you say. First, let's go for the obvious: verse two. He's putting the moves on his lady with a "you might need time to think it over, but I'm just fine moving forward." Date rape much? And the passive-aggressive line from the bridge: "Maybe do you think you could want me too?" Translation: "Like, make up your mind already bitch!" But the clincher for me comes when he vamps over the final chorus "I want you and your soul!" and I realize the whole song is about owning this chick's soul. "But Paul," you say, "he just means he wants her because of the beauty in her soul." Then why doesn't he say that? Why is it all "I want your soul," huh? JESSE MCCARTNEY STEALS SOULS!!!!!!
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