That song, I do not think it means what you think it means.

So, trolling around youtube, I stumbled across this Skip-Beat AMV set to Martina McBride's Concrete Angel. (If you aren't familiar with the song, I recommend watching the MV before reading further.) Now, given the subject matter (a doormat shoujo heroine who realizes she's been a doormat, grows a spine, and sets out to get revenge against the jerk who used her) I assume the vid maker means it to be inspirational about standing strong against the world.

I also assume they haven't actually listened closely to the strong. Here's the (extremely depressing) video of the song:

If you'd rather avoid the depression: The song is about an abused, depressed child whose situation is noted but ignored by the other adults in her life, such as teachers and neighbors. Eventually, the child is beaten to death by her mother. (The first time I heard it, I actually thought it was about an abused and depressed teenager who committed suicide.)

Not exactly what you'd think would be someone's choice for an AMV about a girl out to get revenge and prove herself to the world, is it? And it's by Martina McBride, who isn't new to songs about women trapped in abusive (physically or emotionally) relationships.

It seems, though, they a lot of the time, people don't listen to the actual words and messages of songs, just the "sound," or what the narrator seems to think, as opposed to what's actually being said. Such as that one "romantic ballad" that's actually from the view of a creepy stalker. (I always forget the name...)

Who else has nominations for songs that people seem to seriously misunderstand, and/or that get used inappropriately. As catchy as it is, Avril Lavigne's Girlfriend also comes to mind. Though I...err...shamefully admit to being addicted to checking for videos to that, despite hating everything it's about.