Entertainment

7 Hilariously Literal Interpretations of Lyrics

by Kadeen Griffiths

Ah, song lyrics. I likes me some good music, but when I'm deciding whether or not a song is about to become my new favorite thing, then the lyrics are kind of every bit as important as the melody. Not all the time, of course. I mean, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift are among two of my favorite musicians right now and I've written at length about how easily Beyoncé's song lyrics can be misheard because my queen doesn't enunciate sometimes. However, it's not just misheard lyrics that can trip you up. Sometimes, you might hear a song lyric that becomes suddenly and unexpectedly hilarious as soon as you make the mistake of interpreting it literally.

Take, for example, Adele's "Set Fire to the Rain." Have you ever listened to that chorus? Like, really listened to it? "I set fire to the rain and watched it burn as I touched your face?" While I understand the poignant image that Adele is trying to evoke with those moving words, sometimes when I'm listening to the song I literally imagine someone taking a lighter to a rain drop with one hand while the entire palm of their other hand covers someone's face. Suddenly, what should be a very sad song about a tumultuous relationship becomes the most hilarious thing in the world.

But don't take my word for it. We took some song lyrics and depicted them visually in the most literal way we possibly could. You'll never listen to these songs the same way again.

"Single Ladies" by Beyoncé

Why doesn't the Facebook Like Button come with a ring finger option?

"Blank Space" by Taylor Swift

It's even better than tequila, because you can remember everything you said and did the next day!

"Swimming Pool" by Kendrick Lamar

Babysitting shots is not recommended. Somehow the glasses always end up empty by the end of the night...

"Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-A-Lot

This also works for listening to Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda," which I can now no longer do without imagining her balancing a bagel on her butt.

"Lips Are Moving" by Meghan Trainor

The worst part is that those lips will probably park that moving van better than I can park my own car.

"Uptown Funk" by Bruno Mars

Upon retirement, most dragons like to be someplace warm, like the Bahamas, or Tahiti, or your imagination.

"Royals" by Lorde

If you don't call that ruler Queen Bee, someone picks it up and hits you with it like in the school days of old. Sorry not sorry about all these songs I just ruined for you.

Image: Molly O'Brien, The Insanely Fabulous Caroline Wurtzel/Bustle