The true meanings behind 'Cotton Eye Joe,' 'Macarena,' and other popular hits

If you've ever sang along to "Blackbird" by the Beatles and thought it was actually about a bird, think again.

Some of the most popular songs ever have completely different meanings from what their lyrics might suggest.

From popular '90s hits by bands like Green Day and Semisonic to a rock anthem from Aerosmith, there might be more to your favorite songs than previously believed. 

Keep reading to find out 12 hit songs that have totally different meanings than most people think, according to the artists who wrote and performed them. 

SEE ALSO: Here are the 30 most timeless songs, according to Spotify users

"Walk This Way" by Aerosmith (1975)

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This classic from the Rolling Stone was actually inspired by the Mel Brooks film "Young Frankenstein," Rolling Stone reports. The title comes from a scene in the movie where Igor asks Dr. Frankenstein to "walk this way," and the doctor, played by Gene Wilder, complies by imitating Igor's iconic limp. 

"Macarena" by Los del Rio (1994)

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You probably remember this catchy dance jam from the '90s, but did you ever listen closely to the lyrics? "Macarena" is actually a woman's name and the song details a tryst with multiple men while her boyfriend is out of town. Check out this Distractify video of millennials re-listening to the song to see some people having their childhood memories ruined by this discovery.

"Blackbird" by the Beatles (1968)

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Paul McCartney's iconic "Blackbird" shouldn't be interpreted literally.

"I wrote it in the '60s, when the civil rights movement was at its height,"McCartney said in an interview with Diane Sawyer. "I liked to think of a blackbird as being a kind of symbol for a black woman."

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