Love songs, whether you’re a fan or not, are incredibly popular. They make up around 60-65% of new popular music in the past 50 years. Sometimes, we dislike certain love songs and find them creepy. It can take us years to realize how cringeworthy the lyrics are. We’re left wondering what the lyricists and songwriters were thinking. We may never know if they were misunderstood or just messed up. But their songs continue to exist, so here are the five creepiest love songs of all time.
5. Every Breath You Take — The Police, 1983
The Police, led by Sting, were an incredibly famous rock band in the 1980s. They released five albums and received numerous awards during their nine-year career. Their song “Every Breath You Take,” written by Sting and featured on the Synchronicity album, was the standout hit of 1983. It dominated the U.S. Top 100 chart for eight weeks and was voted as the 1983 Song of the Year by both Rolling Stone’s Critics and Readers Poll. Surprisingly, despite its popularity, the lyrics of the song reveal a creepy undertone. It depicts a stalker who is relentlessly fixated on their target, with unsettling lines like “Every step you take, I’ll be watching you” and “Every single day and every word you say.” The fact that it was widely embraced, with some even choosing it as their wedding song, adds to the unsettling nature of the song. Sting wrote it following his separation from his first wife, Frances Tomelty, which adds an even more disturbing layer to its origins.
4. He Hit Me (and It Felt Like a Kiss) – The Crystals, 1962
The Crystals were a prominent group during the girl-group era of the early 1960s, known for their hits like “Da Doo Ron Ron” and “Then He Kissed Me,” with different female lead singers. Initially, the public viewed the lyrics of their song “He Hit Me” as a metaphor. However, in the 21st century, it becomes evident how this message can reinforce excuses for domestic abuse. The song was written by Carole King and Geoffery Goffin after their babysitter, Eva, shared her experience of being in an abusive relationship where her boyfriend would physically harm her. Eva justified the abuse by claiming it was a demonstration of his love for her. This disturbing and untrue narrative that “he only hit me because he loves me” or other justifications used by victims of domestic violence should not be glorified. Despite its catchy tune, the public misunderstood the true nature of this deeply unsettling song.
3. You’re Sixteen, You’re Beautiful, & You’re Mine – Ringo Starr, 1973
Originally written in 1960 by Robert and Richard Sherman, the song was initially performed by rockabilly star Johnny Burnette, reaching number eight on the U.S. charts. Ringo’s version, however, climbed to number one. Despite its popularity, the lyrics of the song convey a disturbing tale of pedophilia, which is particularly concerning in light of the ongoing discussions around this issue. It is crucial to note that the song explicitly references a sixteen-year-old girl. The fact that the Shermans, who were grown men, wrote the song, and Burnette, at 26 years old, had a hit with it adds to the discomfort. Although Ringo did not write the song, the music video he created at the age of 33, featuring him playfully interacting with a much younger Carrie Fisher, effectively captures the unsettling message of the song. Undoubtedly, it can be described as creepy.
2. Baby, It’s Cold Outside – Frank Loesser, 1944
The song, written by Frank Loesser in 1944 and performed by countless artists, including Dean Martin, Ray Charles, Ella Fitzgerald, and Idina Menzel, depicts a male singer persistently pressuring a female singer to spend the night with him. Although some people argue that the song’s lyrics are offensive, Loesser’s daughter, Susan, defended it in 2018, claiming that the song must be viewed in the context of the time it was written. She argued that the line “What’s in this drink?” merely refers to the alcohol content. Regardless, the song’s original performance by Loesser and his wife was intended as entertainment, not social commentary.
1. Love the Way You Lie – Rhianna & Eminem, 2010
The collaboration between Eminem and Rihanna has created one of the most successful hit singles of the century. The song, “Love the Way You Lie,” is a love song about an abusive relationship that has no hidden message to be misinterpreted. The couple in the song is depicted as holding onto a relationship filled with pain. The lyrics are very honest and depict domestic violence, with one line stating that the man would tie the woman to the bed and set the house on fire if she ever tried to leave again. The song is based on the producer’s abusive relationship with the music industry, but the lyrics reflect a physical relationship between a man and a woman. The music video features the two singers, as well as actors Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan. This social commentary on the issue of domestic violence is hard-hitting and disturbing, especially considering Rihanna’s public history with Chris Brown.
