There’s an extraordinary aspect of song writing called dual meaning lyrics.

Dual meaning lyrics occur when the meaning behind a song’s lyrics can be inferred in more ways than one.

This technique of song writing is probably the most creative and imaginative way to compose a song. If employed correctly, songs with dualmeaning can be described as timeless, iconic and thought provoking. Dual meaning songs have the power to make listeners think and discuss what lines refer to which meaning. Although many musicians have incorporated dual meanings into their songs,

I think one of the best examples is “Lake Shore Drive” by Alliotta, Haynes and Jeremiah.

At face value the Midwest folk band’s 1971 single “Lake Shore Drive” is a song about Chicago’s lakefront highway that runs up and down the city skyline called Lake Shore Drive, commonly abbreviated as LSD. But listening to the lyrics closer a second time around, the listener will discover that many of the lyrics can also describe the hallucinogenic drug lysergic acid diethylamide, more commonly known as LSD. Don’t believe it? Take a look at some of the lyrics. The chorus is easily the most recognizable area to find the dual meaning.

“And there ain’t no road just like it, anywhere I’ve found. Running south on Lake Shore Drive heading into town. And just slipping on by on LSD, Friday night trouble bound.” Now these lyrics may sound like the song is describing the road. However, when was the last time someone said they were “slipping on by on LSD, Friday night trouble bound” and that person was talking about driving down a literal road?

Later in the song more lyrics can be inferred in more than one way.

“Sometimes you can smell the green if your mind is feeling fine. There ain’t no finer place to be than running Lake Shore Drive. And there’s no peace of mind or place you’ll see, like riding on Lake Shore Drive.”

Yes, at first glance the lyrics seem to be describing the lakefront highway, but the lyrics could also be using Lake Shore Drive as a synonym to the drug LSD. When was the last time that driving down a very busy and often congested highway ever left you thinking “your mind is feeling fine,” “ain’t no finer place” or “there’s no peace of mind like riding on Lake Shore Drive?”

All the other lyrics of the song could be referring to either the road or the drug. However, just because this song relates a road to a hallucinogenic drug isn’t the sole reason why this song is so great, timeless or iconic. It also has excellent piano and violin segments interlaced with the harmonious sound that many folk music embodies. The dual meaning relating the road to the drug just adds to the greatness of this song because it allows the listener to think and take whatever meaning they wish from the lyrics.

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