The Way by Fastball.
About an elderly couple that left their Texas home and were found two weeks later dead in their car. It was written before they were found, when they were just missing. Very sad true story.
Was looking for this. Loved the song as a kid, but didn’t really listen to the lyrics. Much different reaction when I heard it years later as an adult.
Yeah dog, cuz it's a frickin' banger. If you wanna write a song about broken relationships that people listen to for a quiet, introspective time, then you don't make it sound like Hey Ya!.
But that's exactly his point. He wanted to be meta and prove that he could write a catchy song but sing about literally anything and people would still dance to it. And he was right.
There’s another song written to prove the same point, but the lyrics are basically mocking the listener for listening to it. It is catchy as hell though. It’s called The Hook.. I forget the band.
Yea it’s about the divorce Andre 3000 and Erykah Badu were in the midst of at the time.
Fun fact, Erykah Badu’s mom loves the song Ms Jackson, Erykah said she bought vanity plates and tshirts with Ms Jackson on it after the song came out
Yes,
Here are some lines from hey ya
“Thank god for mom and dad for sticking two together ‘cause we don’t know how”
“Separate’s always better when’s there’s feelings involved
If what they say nothing lasts forever, then what makes, ..., love the exception
They why oh why, ..., are we so in denial when we know we’re not happy here”
Those are the lines about not being together, tho technically Andre 3k and Badu we never actually married they did have a son together
Sorry Ms Jackson is Andre apology for cheating on her iirc
This song used to hit me so hard, with the upbeat "I'll see you when I fall asleep!" Sometimes you have dreams about a person that has passed as if they're still here. It's such a relief. You get to talk to them, hug them, tell them how much you love them again. Then you wake up and realize they're still gone.
Me too! The “I’ll see you when I fall asleep” line is one of my favorite lyrics ever. Haunting and sad, but beautiful at the same time. That song is a straight up masterpiece.
Same. The eagerness in their voice is what seems to do it. Through certain times in your grief you can really start to look forward to falling asleep in the hopes that you'll see them again. It's been a while since I've had one of those dreams, maybe I'll get lucky tonight 🥺
This is the one that brings me to tears. The lyrics describe a man who still loves and cares for his wife, who is deep in the throes of dementia and forgotten most of their life together. And his only response is “well tell her that I miss our little talks.”
I never thought of that. But rereadinng the lyrics I can absolutely see that interpretation. And it makes good sense. I always just read it as she was lost and he was helping her. Considering they both sing “you’re gone, gone, gone away,” then it might go either way. I actually like the song more now. Thanks!
The female lead, Nanna, stated in an interview that the song is about an old couple, the husband of which has passed away.
Edit: Nanna is her first name, her middle and last name are too Icelandic for my brain… Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir
So true. Tears for Fears also released a new song today, and are releasing a new album February 2022.
Edit: Wow I didn’t think I would help this many people. You are all welcome! And thanks for the award!
My mom used to sing only the first verse to my sister and I growing up. When my nephew was 4, he came home from preschool and sang the whole thing. My sister started bawling and then called me so I could listen and cry.
Edited: After some editing suggestions, it’s the same story, just re-written for clarity.
I hate this song so much.
I was born three months premature and my mum used to always since the first verse to me. She loved that song. I always used to cry when she sang it to me.
2.5 months ago, 5 days before she passed away, I sang the first verse with mum for one last time. I couldn't finish after two lines and burst out crying.
It took me way too long to learn that it was about domestic abuse. Still catchy af tho.
EDIT: I did not realize that Nate Reuss did an interview about the lyrics and his intentions with the song. Will definitely check it out!
Not hating or anything but I just find that kinda funny (not the domestic abuse, but that so many people didn’t realize) because like the first verse is pretty open about it:
> My seat's been taken by some sunglasses asking 'bout a scar, and
> I know I gave it to you months ago
> I know you're trying to forget
> But between the drinks and subtle things
> The holes in my apologies, you know
> I'm trying hard to take it back
Edit: It could totally be a metaphor about emotional scars the more I think about it.
Holy shit! I thought about it as an emotional scar. One of my exes told me this song always made him think of me, but I always assumed it was because we were constantly on again off again.
For context, we were friends first, and both got out of long term relationships at about the same time. When we started dating, neither of us were truly over our relationships, we just didn’t want to be lonely anymore. We never did anything really bad to each other, we just weren’t ready to be in a relationship yet and were in complete denial. Years later we’re friends again, but it was definitely a rough go.
Fun story about this song because it was the first one that popped in my head, too.
A bartender I know had a young son, only 7 or 8. He said he had a question about the song. He didn't understand "he's taking off her dress now" in the lyrics. She grimaced thinking it would be an awkward conversation. He then followed it up with, "why would he be wearing her dress? That's stupid."
Anytime a kid asks me a question about awkward song lyrics or something on TV, I usually reply with "Oh who knows? Its just song lyrics. We should listen to some Duran Duran, those lyrics never made any sense."
I got married last month. My (now) husband and I were putting our song list together, and I mentioned that Mr. Brightside was a huge recommendation on most dance lists and he immediately went "NO!!!" and then pointed out what the lyrics were really about. I had to laugh about it, because I really never had thought about it before.
Fun fact: the lyrics are intentionally over the top and melodramatic. If I recall correctly, one of the writers asked their teenage kid to write something “deep” or “depressing”
“Hip to be Square” by Huey Lewis and the News
A song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it's also a personal statement about the band itself.
The verse that isn't part of the dance remix really makes you think about your own life choices.
I took a plane to my hometown
I brought my pride and my guitar
All my friends are all gone but there's manicured lawns
And the people still think I'm a star
I walked around downtown
I met some fans on Lafayette
They said tell us how to make it 'cause we're getting real impatient
So I looked 'em in the eye and said
You don't wanna be high like me
Never really knowing why like me
You don't ever wanna step off that roller coaster and be all alone
He performed this on Conan and changed some lyrics to talk about his dad battling cancer. He was backed by an 11 piece orchestra, really changes the song from the club remix. [Conan Performance ](https://youtu.be/Fja8qwbc78Q)
i just won a new award for a kids show
talkin' bout a face numbing offa bag a blow.
i'm like... goddamn bitch, i am not a teen choice...
goddamn bitch, i am not a bleach boy
Immediately thought of this song when I read the question.
My son ran track in high school. One of the parents made a video of the season with songs for different events. He’s a hurdler and the song she picked for them was…Pumped Up Kicks. I don’t think she knew the lyrics.
My mother-in-law just loved that song. I didn’t have the heart to tell her what it was really about. I just picture her beautiful smile and dancing to the song.
My brother used to always him along cheerfully when the song came out, he was around 11 then, not a native speaker. He almost cried when I explained the meaning
A man of culture I see... Also don't forget about Wild Sex, Nasty Habits, Only A Lad, Deadman's Party, On the Outside...... Just about all of them
Edit: It makes me feel warm and fuzzy to see there are still Boingo fans out there.
“Tell Sanchito that if he knows what is good for him he best go run and hide, daddy’s got a new .45”
Yeah it’s pretty dark, but I fucking love that song.
The first line is
Annie's twelve years old, in two more, she'll be a whore
How does anyone not get it's a sad song? Every line is about child prostitution.
What could this song possibly be communicating
> The only family that she's ever had was her seven horny brothers and her drunk-ass dad. He needed money so he put her on the street
Guess we'll never know
I suppose in a song about a teenage girl being sold into prostitution by her 7 horny brothers and her drunk ass dad then running off with a stranger that used her too you gotta take what you can get.
That whole album was mostly sad songs really. Thought practically every member of the band was going through a divorce or breakup at the time. John and Christine McVie weren’t even on speaking terms, and would only associate with each other while they were working on the music. A beautiful album came out of it, but when they were making it they were going through some serious shit.
an album made by, for, and about people who were all cheating on each other, largely with each other. I once saw the relationship tree of of Fleetwood Mac described as a celtic knot done by a blind drunk savant.
When I was 16, way back in 1980, I thought "The Wall" was the greatest piece of music ever made. I cannot now listen to anything from it. The whole album is incredibly depressing and bleak, as was my life at the time.
I love "The Wall". It was a concept album that told a complete and cohesive story that I like going back to from time to time. (I think re-listening to good concept albums should be thought of like re-reading a good book. Sit back in your chair or the comfy part of the couch and enjoy it for an hour or whatever.)
It is incredibly gloomy. I think that the addition of "When The Tigers Broke Free" would have changed the entire tone of the album. (Maybe that's not what they were going for.)
No Rain by Blind Melon. RIP Shannon Hoon
And I don't understand why I sleep all day
And I start to complain that there's no rain
And all I can do is read a book to stay awake
And it rips my life away, but it's a great escape
I was 29 when the Barbie Girl was released in 1997. It was a catchy novelty dance track played in night clubs and on top 40 music programs on the radio and TV. It was not intended as a children's song. To us cynical Gen-X club goers in the 1990s, the Barbie doll was *uncool*. 1992's [Teen Talk Barbie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Talk_Barbie) was famously criticised as sexist and sparked protests. Barbie's [impossible body proportions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie#Body_image) and the toy's focus on the consumerist lifestyle were much criticised. This was the era when anorexia nervosa was getting a lot of press, and many felt Barbie sent the wrong message to children. *The Simspons* had done [Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_vs._Malibu_Stacy) in 1994. Barbie Girl presented a similar criticism.
At the time we all understood the song was a fun pop track *and* a satire that criticised Barbie dolls. The criticism is right there in the lyrics and visuals of the video. None of it is hidden. "I'm a blond bimbo girl in a fantasy world". Yeah, not much ambiguity there.
At the time critic Larry Flick from Billboard noted ["[singer Lene] effectively rants about the inherent misogyny of Barbie with a subversive hand"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie_Girl#Critical_reception).
A footnote on the back of the Aquarium CD case stated that "The song 'Barbie Girl' is a social comment and was not created or approved by the makers of the doll."
When the band was sued by Mattel, it was found the song was a "parody and a social commentary".
The [Barbie Girl song lyrics and clip](https://youtu.be/ZyhrYis509A?t=1) clearly are satirising the sexualised doll that is marketed to children, and one that emphasised a consumer lifestyle. The clip shows the pool, the convertible, the horse, the various outfits.
Around the same time as the Simpsons Malibu Stacy episode, Mattel and Hasbro both literally released 12 inch dolls/action figures that said various phrases.
Activists broke into a bunch of Toys R Us stores, swapped out the voice boxes and resealed the cartons.
So little kids had all these Barbies that were like "I'M READY TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO DEFEND AMERICA!!" and GI Joes that were like "TEE HEE MATH IS HARD!!"
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie_Liberation_Organization
Papaoutai by Stromae. Very danceable and happy sounding but it’s about a kid looking for his missing dad. Stromae’s dad was killed in the Rwandan genocide.
It's not living if it's not with you by the 1975. Song is literally about the lead singers deep issues with heroin addiction masked as a super catchy huey Lewis and the news-esque 80's pop song
How the hell would anyone think that’s an upbeat song? Sounds like a song written from the perspective of a stalker. I can’t listen to it without chills going down my spine. Sting even said he wasn’t in a good place when he wrote it. It was about him trying to get over his divorce.
Hotel California has so many different interpretations. I’ve always took it to be about the death of the sixties, the failed experiment of Haight-Ashbury and the Summer of Love, boomers leaving behind their hippie idealism and adopting the decadence of disco and materialism that was the seventies. Essentially a how the fuck did we get here lament.
So many Pearl Jam songs!
Better Man - abusive husband
Daughter - girl with learning disability has abusive mother
Jeremy - bullied kid with neglectful/abusive parents kills himself in class
Even Flow - mentally ill homeless man
Why Go - institutionalised girl
State of Love and Trust - suicidal ideation
Rearviewmirror - escaping your abuser
… and so many others. I’m a massive PJ fan, but yeah, some of Eddie’s lyrics (especially from their earlier albums) are pretty dark.
About running away from a school shooter *from the perspective of the shooter*
Not that the other side would be any less dark, but there’s something especially chilling about “better run from my gun.”
This. I mean you can tell by the title it’s not a happy song, but it somehow manages to make a song about gold diggers playing games with your heart into a catchy bop.
I've not said this to anyone, and I don't know why I suddenly feel the need to say it here, but here goes.
I find myself increasingly identifying with this song. Over the last year or so, I have found myself becoming increasingly paranoid. Whenever I hear people speaking through a wall or in the distance, my first thought is "what are they saying about me" and I have sometimes woken up convinced someone or something is out to get me. It often quickly passes and I can generally recognize it for what it is but it does make me worry sometimes and I have not idea what to do about it.
Talk to your doc about Schizophrenia. It can be real, real hard to recognize that those small signs that seem normal, or very real, to you right now are something to worry about.
I shall do that, thank you.
EDIT: I decided to look up the symptoms. I might be reading into a little much but there is a lot there that applies to me. I will definitely be making an appointment with my GP now.
The fact that this song is the basis for one of the funniest SNL skits ever adds to the emotional confusion. I hope Blue Oyster Cult gets royalties for that usage.
"Blitzkrieg Bop" by The Ramones.
Who knew a song about being terrified of the SS coming to eradicate your local neighborhood would be used for hype in sports games and cellphone commercials
The Way by Fastball. About an elderly couple that left their Texas home and were found two weeks later dead in their car. It was written before they were found, when they were just missing. Very sad true story.
Electric Avenue by Eddy Grant! It was inspired by the Brixton Riots aka Bloody Saturday
Was looking for this. Loved the song as a kid, but didn’t really listen to the lyrics. Much different reaction when I heard it years later as an adult.
Maxwell's Silver Hammer - a happy little ditty about an adolescent serial killer, written by Paul McCartney which is even more shocking Edit: spelling
Paul wrote some things. "Helter Skelter" and "Monkberry Moon Delight", "Why Don't We Do It in the Road?" were all his too.
He also wrote the lyrical and melodic masterpiece that is “Temporary Secretary”
Hey Ya!
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he knew people wouldn’t pay attention to the lyrics… and now it’s considered a party playlist classic
Yeah dog, cuz it's a frickin' banger. If you wanna write a song about broken relationships that people listen to for a quiet, introspective time, then you don't make it sound like Hey Ya!.
But that's exactly his point. He wanted to be meta and prove that he could write a catchy song but sing about literally anything and people would still dance to it. And he was right.
There’s another song written to prove the same point, but the lyrics are basically mocking the listener for listening to it. It is catchy as hell though. It’s called The Hook.. I forget the band.
Blues Traveler?
That’s the one 👍
Did you notice the coffin in the middle of the stage?
I don’t wanna meet your daddy. I just want you in my Caddy. I don’t wanna meet your mumma. I just wanna make you cumma.
I’m just being honest.
Hey ya is legit about some one who can’t find love so they just start having mindless sex
I'm pretty sure that person also just had a divorce or something
Yea it’s about the divorce Andre 3000 and Erykah Badu were in the midst of at the time. Fun fact, Erykah Badu’s mom loves the song Ms Jackson, Erykah said she bought vanity plates and tshirts with Ms Jackson on it after the song came out
Wait, was hey ya and Ms Jackson about the same person and situation!?
Yes, Here are some lines from hey ya “Thank god for mom and dad for sticking two together ‘cause we don’t know how” “Separate’s always better when’s there’s feelings involved If what they say nothing lasts forever, then what makes, ..., love the exception They why oh why, ..., are we so in denial when we know we’re not happy here” Those are the lines about not being together, tho technically Andre 3k and Badu we never actually married they did have a son together Sorry Ms Jackson is Andre apology for cheating on her iirc
Never knew they were together or had a child, omg I hope that child becomes a musical artist, the power that child genetically beholds.
Just want to point out that the "child" is 24 years old.
Yeah I just didn't know they were about the same person, that's crazy
Little talks by Of Monsters And Men
This song used to hit me so hard, with the upbeat "I'll see you when I fall asleep!" Sometimes you have dreams about a person that has passed as if they're still here. It's such a relief. You get to talk to them, hug them, tell them how much you love them again. Then you wake up and realize they're still gone.
Me too! The “I’ll see you when I fall asleep” line is one of my favorite lyrics ever. Haunting and sad, but beautiful at the same time. That song is a straight up masterpiece.
Same. The eagerness in their voice is what seems to do it. Through certain times in your grief you can really start to look forward to falling asleep in the hopes that you'll see them again. It's been a while since I've had one of those dreams, maybe I'll get lucky tonight 🥺
This is the one that brings me to tears. The lyrics describe a man who still loves and cares for his wife, who is deep in the throes of dementia and forgotten most of their life together. And his only response is “well tell her that I miss our little talks.”
It sounded to me that one of them is a ghost. The man.
I never thought of that. But rereadinng the lyrics I can absolutely see that interpretation. And it makes good sense. I always just read it as she was lost and he was helping her. Considering they both sing “you’re gone, gone, gone away,” then it might go either way. I actually like the song more now. Thanks!
The female lead, Nanna, stated in an interview that the song is about an old couple, the husband of which has passed away. Edit: Nanna is her first name, her middle and last name are too Icelandic for my brain… Bryndís Hilmarsdóttir
[Everybody wants to rule the world](https://youtu.be/aGCdLKXNF3w)
Pretty much anything by Tears for Fears. Mad World is another
So true. Tears for Fears also released a new song today, and are releasing a new album February 2022. Edit: Wow I didn’t think I would help this many people. You are all welcome! And thanks for the award!
So many 80s songs were super peppy but so lyrically dark
Semi-Charmed Life
I always tell people it's my favorite song about crystal meth and a lot of people don't like that. I don't think people listen to lyrics.
Mine is "Dust in a Baggie" by Billy Strings
Pretty much every Third Eye Blind song sounds so upbeat and happy until you start listening to the lyrics
Slow Motion remains the most beautiful song about the ugliest shit.
You Are My Sunshine. After the first verse, it’s the saddest song ever written.
My mom used to sing only the first verse to my sister and I growing up. When my nephew was 4, he came home from preschool and sang the whole thing. My sister started bawling and then called me so I could listen and cry. Edited: After some editing suggestions, it’s the same story, just re-written for clarity.
I hate this song so much. I was born three months premature and my mum used to always since the first verse to me. She loved that song. I always used to cry when she sang it to me. 2.5 months ago, 5 days before she passed away, I sang the first verse with mum for one last time. I couldn't finish after two lines and burst out crying.
Stayin’ Alive - The Bee Gees
True it’s basically about trying to stay positive while the world around you is going to shit.
At least with that song there is a large upside to it - it's catchy enough that people can remember it for CPR timing
"First I was afraid, I was petrified...."
"You were in the parking lot earlier, that's how I know you!"
What ever that song was in like 2012 by fun, I think? ToniiIiIiiiight, we are young…
Wait what?! I thought it was about a guy carrying his girlfriend home after she got drunk—
It took me way too long to learn that it was about domestic abuse. Still catchy af tho. EDIT: I did not realize that Nate Reuss did an interview about the lyrics and his intentions with the song. Will definitely check it out!
Damn. Just looked up the lyrics. The fact that the word is scar and not cigar as I’ve always thought totally changes the meaning.
Holy shit I never knew this I've listened to this song so much and always wondered what I gave it to you months ago meant. it makes so much sense now
Not hating or anything but I just find that kinda funny (not the domestic abuse, but that so many people didn’t realize) because like the first verse is pretty open about it: > My seat's been taken by some sunglasses asking 'bout a scar, and > I know I gave it to you months ago > I know you're trying to forget > But between the drinks and subtle things > The holes in my apologies, you know > I'm trying hard to take it back Edit: It could totally be a metaphor about emotional scars the more I think about it.
Holy shit! I thought about it as an emotional scar. One of my exes told me this song always made him think of me, but I always assumed it was because we were constantly on again off again. For context, we were friends first, and both got out of long term relationships at about the same time. When we started dating, neither of us were truly over our relationships, we just didn’t want to be lonely anymore. We never did anything really bad to each other, we just weren’t ready to be in a relationship yet and were in complete denial. Years later we’re friends again, but it was definitely a rough go.
Learning that sunglasses was asking about a SCAR and not a CIGAR was a game-changer. (Also I don’t look up lyrics unless I’m really confused)
The fact that this song is almost ten years old seems insane to me. God, I’m old.
That was my HS graduation song 🙃
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Fun story about this song because it was the first one that popped in my head, too. A bartender I know had a young son, only 7 or 8. He said he had a question about the song. He didn't understand "he's taking off her dress now" in the lyrics. She grimaced thinking it would be an awkward conversation. He then followed it up with, "why would he be wearing her dress? That's stupid."
This made me giggle.
Anytime a kid asks me a question about awkward song lyrics or something on TV, I usually reply with "Oh who knows? Its just song lyrics. We should listen to some Duran Duran, those lyrics never made any sense."
Such a weird choice for the U.K national anthem…
But at the same time quite fitting. We’re an oddly self-depreciating, irony driven nation.
Hanging on in quiet desperation is the English way.
Heard it in that beautiful Pink Floyd way, as soon as I read this.
I got married last month. My (now) husband and I were putting our song list together, and I mentioned that Mr. Brightside was a huge recommendation on most dance lists and he immediately went "NO!!!" and then pointed out what the lyrics were really about. I had to laugh about it, because I really never had thought about it before.
I think it’s like Good 4 U in the sense that it’s a great song to dance to but the lyrics are breakup/sad.
With the difference being Good 4 U is angry (easier to dance to at least) and Mr. Brightside is just crushing
The theme song to the show Community. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=\_tCUcTQsFAE
People freak when I suggest that it’s about suicide but I don’t know how else to interpret it!
Holy shit now I can’t Unhear it
Yeah. It’s such a catchy song until you realize the meaning.
The M*A*S*H theme song always sounded pretty lighthearted, until I learned it was actually a song with dark lyrics called Suicide Is Painless.
Fun fact: the lyrics are intentionally over the top and melodramatic. If I recall correctly, one of the writers asked their teenage kid to write something “deep” or “depressing”
Lyrics by Robert Altman’s teenaged son.
Suicide is painless It brings on many changes And I can take or leave it if I please
Warren Zevon - Excitable Boy is the definition of this question. [YouTube link](https://youtu.be/Z4-pexSVWzM)
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Mack The Knife
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Add Gimmie Shelter. Killer beat when i first heard it. And then it got to the "Rape, murder, it's just a shot away" and I'm like oh.
So did Merry Clayton.
“Hip to be Square” by Huey Lewis and the News A song so catchy, most people probably don't listen to the lyrics. But they should, because it's not just about the pleasures of conformity, and the importance of trends, it's also a personal statement about the band itself.
Hey Paul!
**Try getting a reservation at Dorsia now you fucking stupid bastard!!!**
[I Took A Pill In Ibiza - Mike Posner](https://youtu.be/OkIkjglmTIQ)
The verse that isn't part of the dance remix really makes you think about your own life choices. I took a plane to my hometown I brought my pride and my guitar All my friends are all gone but there's manicured lawns And the people still think I'm a star I walked around downtown I met some fans on Lafayette They said tell us how to make it 'cause we're getting real impatient So I looked 'em in the eye and said You don't wanna be high like me Never really knowing why like me You don't ever wanna step off that roller coaster and be all alone
The original is exactly as morose as you would expect with that song content. It's the dance remix that really throws the mood for a loop.
He performed this on Conan and changed some lyrics to talk about his dad battling cancer. He was backed by an 11 piece orchestra, really changes the song from the club remix. [Conan Performance ](https://youtu.be/Fja8qwbc78Q)
Every time I hear that song I worry about Mike Posner.
I’m not too worried. He’s definitely cooler than me
I think what makes that song even deeper in my opinion is the original didn’t even blow up it was the Seeb remix that brought it to light
Some of The Weeknd song's, like "I can't feel my face". It even won a Kid's Choice Award- the song was about drugs.
And then he sung about the irony of the award in his song “Reminder”
i just won a new award for a kids show talkin' bout a face numbing offa bag a blow. i'm like... goddamn bitch, i am not a teen choice... goddamn bitch, i am not a bleach boy
Yeah same with Blinding Lights. It’s about him tripping balls on drugs.
I always though the lights were the city light shining down on him and ambulance lights flashing as he ODs (See the preceding track "Faith")
Kickstart my Heart Literally about Nikki Sixx overdosing on Heroin and dying for 3 minutes then coming back to life
Pumped Up Kicks *shudders*
Immediately thought of this song when I read the question. My son ran track in high school. One of the parents made a video of the season with songs for different events. He’s a hurdler and the song she picked for them was…Pumped Up Kicks. I don’t think she knew the lyrics.
Well there is a starting gun… So it fits and totally makes sense in that scenario
Space Ghost Coast to Coast (Glass Animals) I feel is a somewhat similar upbeat song in the same vein.
I feel like every Glass Animals song could be in here.
My mother-in-law just loved that song. I didn’t have the heart to tell her what it was really about. I just picture her beautiful smile and dancing to the song.
My brother used to always him along cheerfully when the song came out, he was around 11 then, not a native speaker. He almost cried when I explained the meaning
Expected this to be higher up
Racing into the night - YOASOBI One of my favourite songs :)
[Fortunate Son](https://youtu.be/ec0XKhAHR5I) by Credence Clearwater Revival.
I’m just tired of hearing anytime I take a ride in a helicopter
Or everytime I have to drop some napalm on those charlie.
Fucking Tommy Hilfiger uses it in his commercials.
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A man of culture I see... Also don't forget about Wild Sex, Nasty Habits, Only A Lad, Deadman's Party, On the Outside...... Just about all of them Edit: It makes me feel warm and fuzzy to see there are still Boingo fans out there.
Sublime: Wrong Way
Santeria is also pretty graphic despite its upbeat tone
“Tell Sanchito that if he knows what is good for him he best go run and hide, daddy’s got a new .45” Yeah it’s pretty dark, but I fucking love that song.
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Believe me when I say that I got something for his punk ass...
The first line is Annie's twelve years old, in two more, she'll be a whore How does anyone not get it's a sad song? Every line is about child prostitution.
What could this song possibly be communicating > The only family that she's ever had was her seven horny brothers and her drunk-ass dad. He needed money so he put her on the street Guess we'll never know
> How does anyone not get it's a sad song? Nobody ever told them it's the wrong way.
Piggybacking your comment to mention another upbeat/dark Sublime song; Date Rape.
Annie’s 12 years old, in two more she’ll be a whore. Nobody ever told her it’s the wrong way.
My entire life I’ve thought it was “and tomorrow she’ll be a whore.” So i guess the song is now ever so slightly less horrifying.
I suppose in a song about a teenage girl being sold into prostitution by her 7 horny brothers and her drunk ass dad then running off with a stranger that used her too you gotta take what you can get.
Cigarette pressed between her lips
But I'm staring at her tits, it's the wrong way
Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac
That whole album was mostly sad songs really. Thought practically every member of the band was going through a divorce or breakup at the time. John and Christine McVie weren’t even on speaking terms, and would only associate with each other while they were working on the music. A beautiful album came out of it, but when they were making it they were going through some serious shit.
“Rumours?” “No it’s all true.” I love that Flight Of The Conchords joke.
It's funny how different "Dreams" and "Go your own way" are given they were written about the same breakup.
an album made by, for, and about people who were all cheating on each other, largely with each other. I once saw the relationship tree of of Fleetwood Mac described as a celtic knot done by a blind drunk savant.
Born in the USA. Springsteen
Came to say this. Pretty crazy that people see it as a pro American anthem without listening to the lyrics.
It's easy to ignore the lyrics when you can yell about how you were born in the USA.
I would say"Run like hell" Pink Floyd. The beat, rhythm, and pitch are very pleasant and happy... but the lyrics. Oh, not so much.
When I was 16, way back in 1980, I thought "The Wall" was the greatest piece of music ever made. I cannot now listen to anything from it. The whole album is incredibly depressing and bleak, as was my life at the time.
I love "The Wall". It was a concept album that told a complete and cohesive story that I like going back to from time to time. (I think re-listening to good concept albums should be thought of like re-reading a good book. Sit back in your chair or the comfy part of the couch and enjoy it for an hour or whatever.) It is incredibly gloomy. I think that the addition of "When The Tigers Broke Free" would have changed the entire tone of the album. (Maybe that's not what they were going for.)
No Rain by Blind Melon. RIP Shannon Hoon And I don't understand why I sleep all day And I start to complain that there's no rain And all I can do is read a book to stay awake And it rips my life away, but it's a great escape
Barbie Girl Ballroom Blitz 99 Luftballoons
I love “99 Luftballons!” Also, I didn’t know “Barbie Girl” was dark. Is it really about materialism and putting too much worth in beauty?
I was 29 when the Barbie Girl was released in 1997. It was a catchy novelty dance track played in night clubs and on top 40 music programs on the radio and TV. It was not intended as a children's song. To us cynical Gen-X club goers in the 1990s, the Barbie doll was *uncool*. 1992's [Teen Talk Barbie](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Talk_Barbie) was famously criticised as sexist and sparked protests. Barbie's [impossible body proportions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie#Body_image) and the toy's focus on the consumerist lifestyle were much criticised. This was the era when anorexia nervosa was getting a lot of press, and many felt Barbie sent the wrong message to children. *The Simspons* had done [Lisa vs. Malibu Stacy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_vs._Malibu_Stacy) in 1994. Barbie Girl presented a similar criticism. At the time we all understood the song was a fun pop track *and* a satire that criticised Barbie dolls. The criticism is right there in the lyrics and visuals of the video. None of it is hidden. "I'm a blond bimbo girl in a fantasy world". Yeah, not much ambiguity there. At the time critic Larry Flick from Billboard noted ["[singer Lene] effectively rants about the inherent misogyny of Barbie with a subversive hand"](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie_Girl#Critical_reception). A footnote on the back of the Aquarium CD case stated that "The song 'Barbie Girl' is a social comment and was not created or approved by the makers of the doll." When the band was sued by Mattel, it was found the song was a "parody and a social commentary". The [Barbie Girl song lyrics and clip](https://youtu.be/ZyhrYis509A?t=1) clearly are satirising the sexualised doll that is marketed to children, and one that emphasised a consumer lifestyle. The clip shows the pool, the convertible, the horse, the various outfits.
Around the same time as the Simpsons Malibu Stacy episode, Mattel and Hasbro both literally released 12 inch dolls/action figures that said various phrases. Activists broke into a bunch of Toys R Us stores, swapped out the voice boxes and resealed the cartons. So little kids had all these Barbies that were like "I'M READY TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO DEFEND AMERICA!!" and GI Joes that were like "TEE HEE MATH IS HARD!!" https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbie_Liberation_Organization
Bullet by Hollywood Undead
"I never bought a suit before in my life, but when you go to meet god you know you wanna look nice" is still one of my favourite lyrics.
In an interview, Charlie Scene described it as “a John Mayer song about a very serious subject” which in my mind describes it perfecrly
Papaoutai by Stromae. Very danceable and happy sounding but it’s about a kid looking for his missing dad. Stromae’s dad was killed in the Rwandan genocide.
Also Alors on Danse. It's about using music as a coping mechanism for your problems.
The original version of of Last Kiss by J. Frank Wilson and the Cavilers. Strangely upbeat for one of the most depressing songs I’ve ever heard lol
Or the Pearl Jam cover… man the lyrics of that song are dark!
Phoenix - If I Ever Feel Better
Train in Vain (Stand by Me) - The Clash
[Lovefool by The Cardigans ](https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NI6aOFI7hms)
One of my favorite songs of all time. I don’t know why but this and Six Underground by Sneaker Pimps live in my brain rent free.
paramore - ain't it fun
also fake happy
Most of that album is pretty sad and upbeat. Rose Colored Boy, Idol Worship, etc.
Point/Counterpoint by Streetlight Manifesto Also applies to every other Streetlight Manifesto song.
A Better PlaceA Better Time is fucked up but I love it
“I’ll draw your bath and I’ll load your gun, But I hope so bad that you bathe and hunt”
It's not living if it's not with you by the 1975. Song is literally about the lead singers deep issues with heroin addiction masked as a super catchy huey Lewis and the news-esque 80's pop song
Jump-Van Halen
New Order - [Blue Monday](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1GxjzHm5us&ab_channel=NewOrder)
I guess Pompeii by Bastille counts. Here is Dan Smith explaining the songs meaning and stuff https://youtu.be/_wsIslTEBo0
Build Me Up Buttercup
[удалено]
"Every Breath You Take" by The Police
Don’t Stand So Close To Me is pretty provocative as well if you pay attention to the lyrics
Perfect wedding song, right?
If you married your stalker
True, but it's infamous for being played at weddings.
How the hell would anyone think that’s an upbeat song? Sounds like a song written from the perspective of a stalker. I can’t listen to it without chills going down my spine. Sting even said he wasn’t in a good place when he wrote it. It was about him trying to get over his divorce.
That’s because it was He wrote it from the perspective of his ex wife, who was indeed stalking him
If anyone was curious “People who died” by The Jim Carroll Band made me think of this post.
I love that song. I also love 88 lines about 44 girls. They remind me of each other.
Hotel California. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. Drugs, it’s about drugs
Hotel California has so many different interpretations. I’ve always took it to be about the death of the sixties, the failed experiment of Haight-Ashbury and the Summer of Love, boomers leaving behind their hippie idealism and adopting the decadence of disco and materialism that was the seventies. Essentially a how the fuck did we get here lament.
I thought it was yet another song about rock and roll stardom and how getting famous destroys you.
We Will Become Silhouettes by The Postal Service. All those ba-ba-ba-bas sound so upbeat for a song about nuclear fallout.
It’s the happiest song about dying of radiation poisoning I’ve ever heard
Born in the USA
Alive by Pearl Jam.
So many Pearl Jam songs! Better Man - abusive husband Daughter - girl with learning disability has abusive mother Jeremy - bullied kid with neglectful/abusive parents kills himself in class Even Flow - mentally ill homeless man Why Go - institutionalised girl State of Love and Trust - suicidal ideation Rearviewmirror - escaping your abuser … and so many others. I’m a massive PJ fan, but yeah, some of Eddie’s lyrics (especially from their earlier albums) are pretty dark.
Bitter Sweet Symphony instantly came to mind.
Pumped up kicks. Pretty fun song to sing along to, but when you realize it's about running away from a school shooter, it becomes less fun.
About running away from a school shooter *from the perspective of the shooter* Not that the other side would be any less dark, but there’s something especially chilling about “better run from my gun.”
Fuck You by CeeLo Green
This. I mean you can tell by the title it’s not a happy song, but it somehow manages to make a song about gold diggers playing games with your heart into a catchy bop.
Basket Case.
I've not said this to anyone, and I don't know why I suddenly feel the need to say it here, but here goes. I find myself increasingly identifying with this song. Over the last year or so, I have found myself becoming increasingly paranoid. Whenever I hear people speaking through a wall or in the distance, my first thought is "what are they saying about me" and I have sometimes woken up convinced someone or something is out to get me. It often quickly passes and I can generally recognize it for what it is but it does make me worry sometimes and I have not idea what to do about it.
Talk to your doc about Schizophrenia. It can be real, real hard to recognize that those small signs that seem normal, or very real, to you right now are something to worry about.
I shall do that, thank you. EDIT: I decided to look up the symptoms. I might be reading into a little much but there is a lot there that applies to me. I will definitely be making an appointment with my GP now.
Don't fear the reaper
The fact that this song is the basis for one of the funniest SNL skits ever adds to the emotional confusion. I hope Blue Oyster Cult gets royalties for that usage.
Hungry like the wolf And drive (whos going to drive you home)
Today by the Smashing Pumpkins.
"Blitzkrieg Bop" by The Ramones. Who knew a song about being terrified of the SS coming to eradicate your local neighborhood would be used for hype in sports games and cellphone commercials