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Home / Entertainment

Sideswipe: June 8: No gumboots

Ana Samways
By Ana Samways
Sideswipe - ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz·NZ Herald·
7 Jun, 2017 05:00 PM3 mins to read

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Entrance to the library at Massey University, Palmerston North. Photo / Supplied

Entrance to the library at Massey University, Palmerston North. Photo / Supplied

Ana Samways
Opinion by Ana SamwaysLearn more

Misinterpreted song meanings

1. Arguably the Police's most popular song, Every Breath You Take, has been played during countless weddings and on request lines due to the widely held belief that it is a gentle love song. According to Sting, the song is about love, but it's quite a bit more "sinister and ugly" than people think. Sting wrote the song during the collapse of his marriage, amidst feelings of jealousy and obsession over his lost lover. He claims the stalker-like vibe of the lyrics were inspired by the desire for surveillance and control he was feeling during his divorce.

2. The dark, accusatory lyrics of In the Air Tonight led to the story that Phil Collins saw someone drowning once from far away, and that a third person, who was close enough to help, either ignored or refused to help the drowning person. Appalled by this, Collins penned this tune as an anonymous condemnation of the person's cowardice and/or apathy. Of course Collins says that story is incorrect, and the lyrics actually arose from the bitterness and anger he felt while going through his divorce.

3. Despite many people (including politicians) having used Bruce Springsteen's Born In The USA for patriotic purposes, the lyrics are actually extremely critical of the US. Many fist-pumping beer-drinking Americans would proudly sing the chorus without giving a second thought to the lyrics. The song was written in response to the negative impact the Vietnam war had on Americans ... Similarly, the Australian band Men at Work's song Down Under has been widely considered a patriotic song, while the authors maintain it was meant to be critical of their country. (Source: listverse.com)

"How about just buying your Mongrel Mob patches from AliExpress without having to go through any initiation ritual?" writes a reader. Photo / Supplied
"How about just buying your Mongrel Mob patches from AliExpress without having to go through any initiation ritual?" writes a reader. Photo / Supplied
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Karma confusion

At some point, you've encountered the term karma - meaning if you do something good you will miraculously be rewarded in another way or if you do something not so pious, you will be punished down the track. Karma is basically getting what we deserve. But that's not what karma really is, or how it works. Karma is a Hindu and Buddhist concept that teaches all of your actions, through a wave of successive incarnations, will influence your destiny. In essence, karma is retributive justice; you're punished or rewarded in a future life according to your actions in this one. The concept of karma can't be understood, and isn't valid, outside of reincarnation. Because karma plays out over a long time, over lifetimes. It's not something that is summoned up in the moment. (Source: How Stuff Works)

Picture this: Never trust the photos you see online...

Video:

Sesame Street: Orange is the New Snack (Orange is the New Black Parody)...(New series of the show hits Netflix tomorrow)

Got a Sideswipe? Send your pictures, links and anecdotes to Ana at ana.samways@nzherald.co.nz

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