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I tend to choose songs for my playlist that have a good beat or rhythm…this weeks song is a perfect example of that. Naturally it makes sense to want a song that has a steady, fast beat for running but sometimes the words have a special meaning…this was not that time. After looking up the lyrics of this song I found that they made no sense to me. So then I went to SongFacts to see what they had to say about the meaning of the lyrics. I’m a till not sure what to think.

Here’s the song, we’ll talk about the lyrics in a minute.

Santana – Bang The Gong (featuring Gavin Rossdale) Guitar Heaven

This song was originally done by T. Rex in 1971. I wasn’t familiar with the band but I do know the song. I’m pretty sure they were a one hit wonder band (at least for me) but what a hit! I heard Carlos Santana and Gavin Rossdale’s (lead singer of Bush) version and knew I had to add it to my playlist. I love the guitar in this song…Carlos Santana is one of the greats! Another concert you won’t want to miss if you ever get a chance to see him. 

                                                                   You’re built like a car,
                                                                   You’ve got a hub cap diamond star halo
                                                                   You’re built like a car, oh yeah
                                                                   You’re an untamed youth that’s the truth
                                                                   With your cloak full of eagles
                                                                   You’re dirty sweet and you’re my girl

                                                                       Get it on, bang the gong, get it on
                                                                   Get it on, bang the gong, get it on

What? None of this really makes any sense to me but according to comments on SongFacts the song is about one of two things…sex or drugs. Sex seems like the obvious answer but David from Portland, Oregon wrote…“Bang the gong” first meant asking for more opium. In the 1850s Chinese opium dens came to the west. Next to each couch was a small gong, and the customer struck it to call for another dose to be brought. The musical sounds kept the scene harmonious and peaceful…” He went on to say,

“By late 20th century “bang” had come to mean any kind of smoked or inhaled drug. But “Bang the gong” usually means snorting a line of Cocaine.” 

For full lyrics and more song facts go here.

After reading the lyrics and then peoples interpretation of their meaning I was going to nix this song and pick another, but I love the guitar in this song so I kept it. 

Have you ever heard a song and loved it, then really listened to the lyrics and thought “wait, what?” ? Did it change your opinion about the song or song writer?

Thanks for reading!

                   Denise