Not an original question, but...what are some songs that sound upbeat & happy but are sad or dark underneath?
Professor Kyle @blackcatproseSomething from Mr. 3000 in honor of my 3000th spout. Kind of a sad song that sounds happy.03:23 PM - Jul 16, 2023
10:47 PM - Jul 16, 2023
(Edited)
In response to Professor Kyle.
Here’s an interesting suggestion: Simon & Garfunkel’s original version of “The Sound Of Silence” is a dark message in an upbeat arrangement. But when Disturbed covered it a few years ago, I don’t think anyone would describe their version of the same song as ‘upbeat’.
02:24 PM - Sep 10, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
There’s the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” (AKA The Stalker Song). There’s Peter Gabriel’s “Family Snapshot” (“If you don’t get given you learn to take. And I will take you.”) Finally, there’s “Electric Avenue” (“Deep in my heart I am warrior. Can't get food for them kids”.)
02:10 PM - Sep 10, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
An entry for perhaps the happiest sounding song dealing with the topic of suicide.
07:51 PM - Aug 18, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
There is a Light That Never Goes Out by the Smiths.
I Don't Like Mondays by the Boomtown Rats.
Shiny Happy People by REM.
King of Wishful Thinking by Go West.
Mr. Wendal by Arrested Development.
I Don't Like Mondays by the Boomtown Rats.
Shiny Happy People by REM.
King of Wishful Thinking by Go West.
Mr. Wendal by Arrested Development.
02:09 AM - Aug 16, 2023
(Edited)
In response to Professor Kyle.
Pink Floyd's "Free Four." Very upbeat song about death.
01:22 AM - Aug 16, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
Green Day's "Time of Your Life (Good Riddance)." Used for proms & commencement, but it's about divorce.
So take the photographs and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories, and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth, it was worth all the while
So take the photographs and still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf in good health and good time
Tattoos of memories, and dead skin on trial
For what it's worth, it was worth all the while
12:19 PM - Jul 17, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
Beatles-Don't pass me by
I'm sorry that I doubted you, I was so unfair
You were in a car crash, & you lost your hair
You said that you would be late about an hour or two
I said that's all right, I'm waiting here, just waiting to hear from you
Don't pass me by, don't make me cry, don't make me blue
I'm sorry that I doubted you, I was so unfair
You were in a car crash, & you lost your hair
You said that you would be late about an hour or two
I said that's all right, I'm waiting here, just waiting to hear from you
Don't pass me by, don't make me cry, don't make me blue
12:07 PM - Jul 17, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
He found a six-shooter gun
In his dad's closet, and with a box of fun things
I don't even know what
But he's coming for you, yeah, he's coming for you
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run outrun my gun
In his dad's closet, and with a box of fun things
I don't even know what
But he's coming for you, yeah, he's coming for you
All the other kids with the pumped up kicks
You better run, better run outrun my gun
11:54 AM - Jul 17, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
I'm trying to decide if The Night Pat Murphy Died by Great Big Sea qualifies. Maybe not, since they all hated him and just used it as an excuse to binge drink.
11:42 AM - Jul 17, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
Maxwell Edison majoring in medicine
Calls her on the phone
"Can I take you out to the pictures, Joan?"
But as she's getting ready to go
A knock comes on the door
Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Came down upon her head
Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Made sure that she was dead
Calls her on the phone
"Can I take you out to the pictures, Joan?"
But as she's getting ready to go
A knock comes on the door
Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Came down upon her head
Bang, bang, Maxwell's silver hammer
Made sure that she was dead
11:40 AM - Jul 17, 2023
In response to TriXteR Phillips.
yes! the super cheerful Beatles murder song
11:46 AM - Jul 17, 2023
(Edited)
In response to Professor Kyle.
A song about a breakup
https://youtu.be/ojYK6CW8gdw
https://youtu.be/ojYK6CW8gdw
11:28 AM - Jul 17, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
I'm Only Happy When it Rains - Garbage
Just Like Heaven - The Cure
Just Like Heaven - The Cure
11:17 AM - Jul 17, 2023
In response to Angela.
I only learned recently that Just Like Heaven isn't a happy song...😩😭
11:29 AM - Jul 17, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
Kenny Rogers catalog is full of happy sounding songs full of some truly messed moments. We got gang rape. We got a crippled man talking about murdering his cheating wife. We got a man begging his wife in a bar not to abandon her family.
01:17 AM - Jul 17, 2023
In response to Acey Deecey 🚀🚀.
Oh, yes! Very sad song! Also a rare song that talks about just boring everyday tasks.
12:39 AM - Jul 17, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
Most versions of You Are My Sunshine, but particularly Ray Charles
12:25 AM - Jul 17, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
Dead Flowers by the Stones, next to last track on Sticky Fingers...all about addiction and loneliness.
11:57 PM - Jul 16, 2023
In response to Ground Control.
I'll be in my basement room
With a needle and a spoon..."
With a needle and a spoon..."
12:01 AM - Jul 17, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
Anything by New Order. Almost all their songs sound up beat dance-y and happy, but read the lyrics.
11:44 PM - Jul 16, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
We Are the Champions by Queen has the music of a dirge.
11:36 PM - Jul 16, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
“Beautiful” / Mile Keneally & Beer For Dolphins
11:36 PM - Jul 16, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
I recently listened to the lyrics of Ode to Billie Joe and realized how dark it is. I don't ever remember thinking it was dark when I initially heard it. I probably didn't give it much thought at all.
And what exactly did they throw off the Tallahatchie Bridge???
And what exactly did they throw off the Tallahatchie Bridge???
11:07 PM - Jul 16, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
Slightly more recently but:
“Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People. This was on my running playlist 😬
“Pumped Up Kicks” by Foster the People. This was on my running playlist 😬
11:06 PM - Jul 16, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
PS despite my apparent age, I am most decidedly NOT a beatles fan. I only know this tune because a high school English teacher used it as tool to try to teach us knuckleheads about "irony".
11:04 PM - Jul 16, 2023
In response to Paul Hastings.
Perfect example. And although I am a Beatles fan...I can't stand this song.
11:19 PM - Jul 16, 2023
In response to Professor Kyle.
The literal answer would be Smokey Robinson, Tears of a Clown.
And maybe everything the Housemartins/Beautiful South ever wrote. Woman in the Wall sounds like an oompah band after a few too many drinks.
https://music.apple.com/us/album/woman-in-the-wall/1444032567?i=1444032662
And maybe everything the Housemartins/Beautiful South ever wrote. Woman in the Wall sounds like an oompah band after a few too many drinks.
https://music.apple.com/us/album/woman-in-the-wall/1444032567?i=1444032662
11:03 PM - Jul 16, 2023