Why listeners interpret songs differently than songwriters intended
The meaning gap: How schema theory impacts music interpretation
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Why listeners interpret songs differently than songwriters intended
While artists craft lyrics with specific intentions, listeners frequently develop entirely different interpretations shaped by their personal experiences.
Why it matters
Songwriting is a craft where talented artists excel at conveying emotionally charged stories. These lyrics carry personal significance for the songwriter, who is frequently inspired by meaningful moments in their lives.
Many artists assume that fans thoroughly process their lyrics and grasp their intended message. However, research shows that listeners often assign meanings to songs—occasionally entirely different from what the artist had in mind.
Understanding this meaning gap can liberate artists from the pressure of perfect communication and highlight how music takes on a life beyond its creator's intentions.
How it works
The book “It’s Not Only Rock & Roll” by Christenson and Roberts (1998) analyses research literature on music. One of the chapters explores how listeners interpret songs, partly through the lens of schema theory.
Schema theory examines how human memory organises information. We create mental frameworks (schemas) based on prior knowledge and experiences that direct our understanding of new information.
Think of a schema (or script) that outlines how we should behave in certain situations, such as live concerts.
When people listen to a new song, they seldom process the lyrics thoroughly on the first listen. Instead, they draw upon existing mental frameworks. These frameworks are shaped by prior knowledge, such as:
Personal experiences (relationships, trauma, celebrations)
Cultural background
Previous musical exposure
Emotional associations with similar sounds or themes.
The listening environment significantly impacts information processing. Higher cognitive load (like listening while exercising or working) makes deep lyrical processing less likely. In these situations, existing schemas dominate how listeners interpret meaning.
Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" is a famous example. Despite its lyrics describing a Vietnam veteran feeling betrayed by his country, the anthemic chorus has led to widespread use as a patriotic celebration at political rallies in the USA, contrary to Springsteen's intended critique.
Yes, but..
Is it problematic when fans assign their meaning to songs? Not necessarily.
When artists release music, they relinquish exclusive control over interpretation, allowing multiple valid interpretations to exist simultaneously. This allows artists to maintain personal meaning while engaging fans. It also invites listeners to form stronger emotional bonds with songs by connecting them to their own experiences.
Listeners often attach songs to specific memories. The first meaningful encounter with a track can permanently shape its significance, regardless of lyrical content.
Take action now
How can artists harness this insight into music interpretation? A beneficial starting point is to relieve the pressure of explaining every aspect of their songs and welcome the variety of meanings that fans may uncover.
When asked by journalists about song meanings, recognise the song's personal significance whilst encouraging listeners to discover their own interpretations. Allowing space for fans to share their interpretations fosters a sense of community around diverse perspectives.
Your thoughts
Further reading
Christenson, P. G., & Roberts, D. F. (1998). It’s not only rock & roll: Popular Music in the Lives of Adolescents. Hampton Press (NJ).
Heafner, T. L., Groce, E., & Finnell, A. (2014). Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A.: Promoting Historical Inquiry through Music. Social Studies Research and Practice, 9(3), 118–138
What Is a Schema in Psychology? (Verywell Mind)
How 'Born in the U.S.A' became one of music's most misinterpreted songs (Spectrum News 1)
Why people talk through concerts (The Fanbase Builder)
How to leverage user intent (The Fanbase Builder)
I'm firmly in the camp of once a song is published the writer relinquishes ownership for its meaning - the transmission of a song is a two street - without the subjective interpretation of the listener there can be no connection. Plus - it makes for some of the more hilarious moments on Never Mind The Buzzcocks: https://youtu.be/jALAaQp_Mus?si=NJMGxZ9Wd-lraERX
Really solid piece!