17 "Fun" Songs From The '90s That You Didn't Realize Have Some Pretty Dark Lyrics

    "Crash Into Me" isn't as cute as you think.

    Shelby Heinrich
    by Shelby Heinrich

    BuzzFeed Staff

    We asked the BuzzFeed Community to share which '90s songs they were shocked to learn actually had some pretty dark lyrics. Here are the ones that'll take on a whole new meaning once you read this post.

    *Disclaimer: Many songs in this post mention heavy topics like violence, sexual abuse, drug use, and suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

    1. The Goo Goo Dolls, "Slide"

    Warner Records/Hollywood Records

    "It's about an abortion."

    —s1kintop

    2. Third Eye Blind, "Jumper"

    Warner Music Group

    "I would sing it to myself all the time in kindergarten, but when I got older I realized it’s about a guy who wants to commit suicide."

    —katerirosee

    3. Janet Jackson, "Together Again"

    Universal Music Enterprises

    "It's this upbeat, catchy song until you hear the lyrics and realize it's about how one day she'll see her dead lover again in Heaven someday. Sorta takes the dance-y feel right out of it."

    —ijenn0802

    4. The Verve Pipe, "The Freshman"

    Sony BMG Music Entertainment

    "This HAS to be one of the darkest songs of the '90s. You have abortion, drug use, and an overdose all in one song."

    —math4d2c97357

    5. Dave Matthews Band, "Crash Into Me"

    RCA Records

    "It sounds like a catchy love song and I loved it, but In Dave's VH1 Storytellers episode, he explained that it's the story of a creepy guy who's stalking a woman who's unaware he's there. Damn."

    —s42bb9c35d

    6. Blind Melon, "No Rain"

    Capitol Records

    "It sounds upbeat, but it’s clearly about depression."

    —moniquee13

    7. The Smashing Pumpkins, "Today"

    Warner Records

    "It’s actually written about suicide."

    —maeganhorne2000

    8. Martina McBride, "Independence Day"

    RCA Records

    "It's a country song with an upbeat tempo and catchy chorus about freedom, but it's incredibly dark. The song is about an alcoholic and violently abusive husband who is murdered by his wife, who then burns their house down and the kid is taken by the county."

    —brandonn4efd93126

    9. Nirvana, "Polly"

    MTV

    "It's about the real-life kidnapping of a 14-year-old girl. She was on her way back from a concert when she was taken by a man named Gerald Friend. She escaped and he was put in jail. I never realized it's about a real kidnapping."

    —nikinoland

    10. Red Hot Chili Peppers, "Under The Bridge"

    Warner Music Group

    "It really fit in well with the early '90s grunge vibe and was catchy as hell, but also depicted Anthony Kiedis’ depression and drug addition, referencing an actual bridge he used to use under during his darkest days."

    —kimm43fe7a6dc

    "Such a sweet, gentle melody for a song about heroin addiction."

    —greyladybast

    11. Hanson, "MMMBop"

    Universal Music Group

    "It's such an upbeat earworm of a song until you really listen to the lyrics and realize it's about growing old and being abandoned and left behind by everyone you love, and that most relationships in life are futile and could end at any moment."

    —colleend9

    12. Ben Folds Five, "Brick"

    Epic Records

    "It sounds like a sweet, sad song about young love, but when you actually listen to the lyrics it’s about abortion. I had no idea when I was younger that that’s what they meant."

    —jdoodle

    13. Fastball, "The Way"

    Hollywood Records

    "It’s an iconic '90s song with a feel-good vibe about a true story of an elderly couple who disappeared and were found miles away from their car at the bottom of a gorge."

    —walkthroughthefire

    14. The Toadies, "Possum Kingdom"

    Interscope Records

    "For a song about murder, it sure hits you in the feelings for some reason! I heard a band play it live recently and people still love it!"

    —janam8

    15. Shawn Colvin, "Sunny Came Home"

    Columbia Records

    "It's about escaping an abusive relationship and arson!"

    —ramonrobles1980

    16. Sublime, "Wrong Way"

    MCA Records

    "I was a kid when it came out and I loved it because it was an upbeat ska song. It took me a while to realize it's about a teenager who's forced into prostitution by her shitty family and then runs away."

    —leahmaries2

    17. And Len, "Steal My Sunshine"

    Sony Music Entertainment

    "It's about depression and the oppressiveness of poor mental health. Which is ironic, because that song always makes me happy!"

    —lumos47

    Submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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