10 Songs That Definitely Don't Mean What You Thought

9. I Love L.A. - Randy Newman

One could write a whole article on Randy Newman songs that have been misunderstood; it seems like the man can't record an album without one of the songs on the track list igniting controversy. Debate rises around Newman's work so often because he has a trick he often uses when writing his lyrics: he likes to write songs from the point of view of unreliable narrators (the most famous example of this is "Political Science," written from the point of view of a U.S. Senator with some very unorthodox views on how to handle foreign affairs). Even when Newman isn't writing in that style, he can't help but let a very subtle wit creep into his work; so subtle, in fact, that sometimes it's hard to realize that he's making a joke. Case in point: Newman's 1983 hit single "I Love L.A.," often used as the Los Angeles Lakers' theme (the Los Angeles Dodgers use it, as well). At first listen, the song appears to be like "Dirty Water" in that it seems to be an anthem to the songwriter's hometown. Newman sings with gusto about the city's geography and all the things that make the City of Angels unique, punctuated with chants of "We love it!" from an enthusiastic crowd. However, if one listens deeper, one finds snatches of lyrics that don't jibe with the sun-drenched image the song seems to convey. For instance, what are we to make of the "big, nasty redhead," probably a prostitute, or the "bum down on his knees?" Study of the demographic and street layout of Los Angeles will raise more questions; if one follows any one of the streets Newman names in his tune (Century, Victory, and Santa Monica Boulevards, for example) from end to end, one will see a lot of affluence but also a lot of slums. Just what is Newman trying to do? Confuse us listeners? Does he truly love L.A.? As it turns out, Newman does love L.A.; he said so in a 2001 interview. However, hometown spirit isn't what Newman's talking about in "I Love L.A." Rather, he's making a statement on the American Dream. Newman, through the song's lyrics, simultaneously paints a portrait of someone living the Dream while also giving us images of people who have been unable to achieve that dream. The song seems to imply that we should help those who are less fortunate before we worry about enhancing our own lives. Pretty deep stuff for a sports jam, eh?