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McSweeney's Explains the Real Meaning of Pop Songs

By 
November 12, 2008 4:58 PM ET

From venerable literary mag McSweeney's comes your daily chuckle: "Fifty Years of Popular Songs Condensed Into Single Sentences." As you can probably guess by the title of the Marc Haynes-penned piece, the list cuts to the heart of rock and hip-hop lyrics. A few of our favorite examples: The Beatles, "I Want to Hold Your Hand" = I want to do it with you. Marvin Gaye, "Let's Get It On" = I want to do it with you. Radiohead, "Creep" = I'm filled with self-loathing, and, though outwardly I hate everything you represent, I want to do it with you.

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