Exploring Songs Where the Title is Hidden: From Unusual Lyrics to Masterful Album Tracks

Music is a powerful medium, capable of evoking deep emotions and inspiring meaningful reflections through compelling lyrics and melodies. Sometimes, a song's title can be a singular phrase that stands out strongly in the lyrics, making it easy to deduce immediately. However, there are many instances where the title is cleverly concealed, appearing at a strange spot within the song. This article delves into such hidden titles, exploring how these unusually placed title references challenge listeners to uncover the song's identity.

Examples of Hidden Titles

Queen - Innuendo

Consider the iconic song Innuendo by the legendary band Queen. While technically the title is mentioned more than once in the verse, it often appears in ways that might not immediately register to listeners who are not familiar with the song. For instance, the phrase 'innuendo' is boldly placed in the chorus, but surrounded by unrelated themes and ideas, making it something of an Easter egg in the song's lyrics:

'Innuendo: You can be anything you want to be / Just turn yourself into anything you think that you could ever be / Be free with your tempo be free be free / Surrender your ego be free be free to yourself'

This placement of the song's title within a stretch of abstract and open-ended lyrics makes the title hidden, requiring a closer listen and an understanding of the song's context to notice it.

In My Feelings - Drake (AKA "Kiki do you love me")

The song 'In My Feelings' by Drake, commonly referred to as 'Kiki do you love me,' features a similar hidden title phenomenon. The title reference appears not at the beginning of the lyrics, but tucked away in a very specific place:

'In my feelings / But if i wear gray you say i can't be the In my feelings / But i wear red and you say that you think that i done did the deed'

The phrase 'In my feelings' is repeated twice, yet it's crucial to distinguish these instances based on the context to understand that the song's actual title likely involves the word 'Inniendo' or another word with a similar pronunciation. This placement is particularly intriguing as it subtly references the Queen song discussed earlier, creating a cross-reference between two classic tracks.

Both Said - Nine Days (AKA "this is the story of a girl who cried a river and drowned the whole world")

Nine Days' 'Both Said' features a hidden reference to the song's title in a way that would confuse any listener who's not thoroughly familiar with it. The title appears in a line that seemingly doesn't fit the overall narrative of the song:

'Both said / Look at me / Like i'm beautiful / But it's love they're high on / And it don's matter who she choose / Cuz somehow she's doomed'

Here, the title 'Both Said' is embedded within a few lines dedicated to a more personal and introspective theme. Its placement is deliberate and clever to ensure that the song's name is hidden until the listener is fully invested in the song's narrative.

Bright Eyes - What's the Matter Here, People?

Another example is Bright Eyes' track 'What's the Matter Here, People?', where the title is cleverly hidden within the lyrics, requiring careful attention to spot it:

'What's the matter here, people? / Why aren't you afraid to die / And that's the question that will help you know / How to love your sibling and your enemies too'

In this case, the title is at the beginning of the verse but lurking in the middle of a broader philosophical discussion, making it a challenge to notice initially.

U2 - Running To Stand Still

U2's 'Running To Stand Still' from the 'Joshua Tree' album provides an excellent example of how subtitles in songs can be hidden in unusual places. The title itself is not immediately obvious at first, requiring the listener to pay close attention to the lyrics to notice it:

'Running to stand still / Running to stand still / Running in circles / Running in circles'

The title 'Running To Stand Still' first appears towards the end of the song's verses rather than the chorus, where you might typically expect the title to be mentioned. This strategic placement serves to create a sense of tension and contemplation, drawing the listener into the song's themes before revealing its title.

Conclusion

The art of hiding song titles in unusual spots through clever lyric writing and arrangement is a testament to the depth and complexity of music. These hidden titles not only challenge our attention but also enrich our listening experience, providing layers of meaning and multiple layers of understanding. Whether through abstract references or distinct placements, these hidden titles serve to make the listening experience more engaging and rewarding for music enthusiasts.