Love songs. They’re everywhere, making up a huge chunk of popular music. We all have our favorites and those we can’t stand. But sometimes, a song meant to be about love takes a turn for the unsettling. You listen closely to the lyrics and think, “Wait, what did they just say?”
It’s funny how some tunes we once hummed along to now make us cringe. Were the songwriters misunderstood, or did they have a darker side? We might never know for sure. What we do know is that their words are out there. Get ready to look at some beloved tracks in a new light as we dive into the ten creepiest love songs of all time.
10 “Every Breath You Take”—The Police, 1983
The Police were icons of the 80s rock scene, with Sting leading the charge. Their hit “Every Breath You Take” from the album Synchronicity was massive. It dominated the U.S. charts for eight weeks and was even many couples’ wedding song. Pretty romantic, right?
Well, if you listen carefully, the lyrics tell a different story. Lines like, “Every step you take, I’ll be watching you. Every single day and every word you say,” paint a clear picture of a stalker. This person is obsessed and won’t give up on their target. Sting himself wrote it after splitting from his first wife, Frances Tomelty, which adds an even more disturbing layer to this popular yet creepy anthem.
9 “He Hit Me (and It Felt Like a Kiss)”–The Crystals, 1962
The Crystals were a defining girl group of the early 1960s, known for hits like “Da Doo Ron Ron.” When “He Hit Me” was released, many thought the lyrics were symbolic. Looking back now, it’s hard not to see how the song could be seen as making excuses for domestic abuse.
Carole King and Geoffrey Goffin penned the song after their babysitter, Eva, shared that her abusive boyfriend would hit her. When asked why she stayed, Eva said his actions proved his love. This twisted idea that “he only hit me because he loves me” is a dangerous narrative often used by victims to justify abuse. Despite its catchy melody, the song’s message is deeply unsettling and was largely misunderstood by the public at the time.
8 “You’re Sixteen, You’re Beautiful, & You’re Mine”–Ringo Starr, 1973
After The Beatles broke up, Ringo Starr’s self-titled 1973 album featured a cover of “You’re Sixteen.” Originally written in 1960 by Robert and Richard Sherman and sung by Johnny Burnette, Ringo’s version became a number one hit.
The lyrics, however, hint at a very uncomfortable theme: pedophilia. The song is explicitly about a sixteen-year-old girl. The Sherman brothers were adults when they wrote it, and Burnette was 26 when it became a hit. Ringo, at 33, made a music video with a much younger Carrie Fisher, which visually reinforced the song’s creepy message. It’s a disturbing theme, especially considering today’s heightened awareness of such issues.
7 “Father Figure”–George Michael, 1987
George Michael, formerly of Wham!, was a beloved pop star. His song “Father Figure” starts like a typical 80s love ballad but soon takes a strange turn. Lyrics such as “put your tiny hand in mine” combined with “bold and naked by your side” create an unsettling picture, suggesting a significant and inappropriate age gap.
This song can be seen as glorifying predatory behavior. Although Michael later came out as gay, the music video featured a heterosexual relationship with model Tania Coleridge. Regardless of gender, the noticeable age difference implied in the song’s narrative offers a disturbing reflection on societal dynamics.
6 “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”–Frank Loesser, 1944
This holiday classic, written by Frank Loesser in 1944, often sparks debate. The song depicts a male singer persistently trying to convince a female singer to stay the night. For many years, few seemed troubled by the suggestive pressure.
Now, many find the lyrics problematic, especially the line, “What’s in this drink?” which some interpret as hinting at date rape. Loesser’s daughter, Susan, has defended the song, arguing it must be understood in its 1940s context, where the line wouldn’t imply drugging but rather refer to alcohol. She states it was originally a playful duet for Loesser and his wife, intended as entertainment, not social commentary. Still, the debate continues each holiday season.
5 “Love the Way You Lie”–Rihanna & Eminem, 2010
This powerful collaboration between Eminem and Rihanna became a massive hit. There’s no mistaking the message here; it’s overtly about a toxic and abusive relationship. While it’s presented as a love song, the love depicted is filled with pain and destruction.
The lyric, “If she ever tries to f**king leave again, I’m a tie her to the bed and set this house on fire,” is shockingly direct about domestic violence. The song was reportedly inspired by producer Alexa da Kid’s troubled relationship with the music industry, but its lyrics about a man and woman are especially impactful given Rihanna’s own public experiences with abuse. The music video, featuring Megan Fox and Dominic Monaghan, further highlighted the disturbing reality of such relationships.
4 “Hello”–Lionel Richie, 1983
Lionel Richie was a pop superstar in the early 80s, and “Hello” was one of his biggest hits. The lyrics alone, like “I’ve been alone with you inside my head,” are a bit unsettling. But the music video elevates the creepiness factor significantly.
The video portrays a teacher who develops feelings for his blind student and begins to follow her around. He’s shown lurking in hallways, singing “I love you” to a young woman he barely interacts with. It’s not just about a stalker; it’s about a teacher in a position of authority, obsessed with a vulnerable student. Richie has said the video shows the character overcoming her disability, but the stalker vibe is hard to ignore and leaves many viewers uncomfortable.
3 “Run for Your Life”–The Beatles, 1965
The Beatles are legendary, with countless famous songs. However, not all their tracks are as well-known or as cheery as “Yellow Submarine.” One such lesser-known song is “Run for Your Life” from their Rubber Soul album.
The lyrics are shockingly violent. The singer declares, “Well, I’d rather see you dead, little girl. Than to be with another man.” This is a far cry from the innocent charm of “I Want to Hold Your Hand.” It’s no surprise this track isn’t a fan favorite. Though credited to Lennon and McCartney, John Lennon primarily wrote it, possibly influenced by his recent divorce. He later expressed regret over the song.
2 “Living Room”–Tegan & Sara, 2002
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This upbeat bluegrass number by Tegan & Sara might sound happy, but don’t be fooled. The song is about stalking a neighbor. The singer tells a friend they’re staying in to watch their depressed neighbor through the window. She fantasizes about this neighbor and even knows their daily schedule, mentioning the neighbor doesn’t shower until 9 pm.
The creepiness escalates when the friend suggests they watch together using binoculars. This song frequently appears on lists of creepy lyrics, and it’s easy to see why. The cheerful tone paired with the disturbing subject matter makes it particularly unsettling.
1 “Used to Love Her”–Guns N’ Roses, 1988
From Guns N’ Roses’ album G N’ R Lies, this track doesn’t mince words. It opens with: “I used to love her, but I had to kill her.” While GNR was a massive rock band, this song is one of their more obscure and controversial pieces. It’s essentially a murder confession, with the singer explaining he killed his partner because “She bitched so much; it drove him nuts!”
Axl Rose reportedly wrote the song as a dark joke, possibly referencing a dog he had to put down. However, the song has disturbingly been linked to two real-life murder cases. In one instance, a man allegedly listened to the song shortly before killing his former girlfriend. This connection to actual violence makes this already grim song even more chilling.
Many songs we hear and even sing along to can hide some truly unsettling messages beneath catchy melodies or passionate vocals. It just goes to show that sometimes, the most popular tunes can have a surprisingly dark side. Next time you’re listening to an old favorite, you might pay a little closer attention to the words!
Which songs do you think have creepy lyrics? Leave your comment below and let us know!
