Top 50 Happy Sounding Songs That Are Actually Depressing
There's a good chance you've had these songs all wrong from the start. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best examples of songs that sound upbeat even though they contain sadder lyrics or context.
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00:00I believe in the sand beneath my toes. The beat gives a feeling and a deep feeling.
00:05Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best examples of songs
00:10that sound upbeat even though they contain sadder lyrics or context.
00:18Number 50. Waterfalls, TLC. For one of their greatest songs,
00:23the R&B group sent a serious message over the top of a memorable groove.
00:26Lonely mother gazing out of her window Staring at a sun that she just can't touch
00:34TLC tells stories about everyday people working their way through mistakes that
00:38ultimately result in massive consequences. Despite the beautiful scenery the song's title
00:42conjures up, the lyrics actually dive into heartfelt stories about violence and disease.
00:47It's ultimately a cautionary tale urging everyone to reconsider their actions,
00:51and how they may impact the people around them.
00:53Waterfalls, we stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to
01:00Through their skilled singing and left-eyes rapping, the band dishes out some tough love
01:05to listeners. The song's chorus is definitely catchy, while also reminding you of what really
01:10matters. I'm in your way, you're nothing at all But I think you're moving too fast
01:17Number 49. Dancing On My Own, Robin. There definitely aren't that many club anthems that
01:24have the power to make you cry, but Swedish singer Robin somehow manages to do just that
01:28with Dancing On My Own. Robin describes the heart-wrenching dilemma of finding your ex
01:36on the dance floor with someone new. The song skillfully balances the emotional highs and
01:41lows of such a moment, all set to an infectious pop beat.
01:48This, combined with Robin's mesmerizing voice, delivers all the feels, making you want to dance
01:56and cry at the same time. Rather than become a shadow of themselves, this all-time classic
02:01encourages everyone going through a breakup to simply dance through their tears.
02:10Number 48. Royals, Lord. In 2013, New Zealand singer Lord took the world by storm with Royals,
02:18establishing herself as a generational talent. She does this by tackling the materialistic views
02:27that are often glorified in the music industry. While some might take the lyrics at face value,
02:32others interpret this as a more elaborate satire. It's a bittersweet tale on misplaced priorities,
02:44taking aim at the shallow, decadent, and aimless figures that plague wealthy circles.
02:49Most pop vocalists are incapable of offering such an incisive critique of modern society,
02:54especially when they're this young. But Lord somehow manages to accomplish that. The song's
02:59production is cleverly deceptive, inviting listeners in with catchy beats and leaving
03:04them with sharp social commentary. Number 47. Running Up That Hill, Kate Bush. One of Kate
03:16Bush's most beloved songs, Running Up That Hill features a rhythm so hypnotic it pulls you in,
03:21compelling you to listen closer to her poetic words. The lyrics tell a story of a person who
03:32longs to switch places with their partner in a bid to understand them better. She seems to think
03:37that this is one way they can come to know each other and bridge the divisions that complicate
03:41their romance. This desire speaks to the real-life worries about relationships, as well as the larger
03:54issues between romantic partners. Bush doesn't shy away from these profound ideas, letting the
03:59complex mix of words and music form into an iconic track. Number 46. My Best Friend's Girl,
04:13The Cars. My Best Friend's Girl appeared on the debut album of new wave band The Cars,
04:18and it remains one of their best hits. Despite its catchy tune, there is an underlying sadness
04:28woven into the song. The pain is right there in the title, with lyrics that tell the tale of
04:33someone whose girlfriend is stolen by their friend. Certainly a sticky situation that many
04:38have found themselves in, but the melody is upbeat enough to make you forget the seriousness of it
04:42all. When you really think about it though, it's a profoundly devastating scenario. It may have
04:52rock vibes that are fun to sing along to, but you'd probably reconsider belting out this classic with
04:58a smile. Number 45. Build Me Up Buttercup, The Foundations. Pop songs from the 1960s often rank
05:11among the happiest tunes of the century, and Build Me Up Buttercup is no exception. Yet beneath its
05:23infectious melody lies an unfortunate tale of heartbreak. The song captures the frustrations
05:28of a relationship that's not going exactly as planned, with the partner building up the singer's
05:33hopes only to disappoint them in the end. Despite the Foundation's spirited performance, the track
05:46deals with the reality of this toxic romance. Anyone who's been let down by a significant other
05:51certainly can relate to these universal words. It's a soulful classic that takes a serious look
05:56at love while keeping your toes tapping. Number 44. I Wish, Stevie Wonder. Stevie Wonder isn't
06:08just a master of emotional ballads, he's also one of the most joyful voices of his generation.
06:14His infectious vocals and instrumental talents shine just as bright in the 1976 single I Wish.
06:20In this song, Wonder looks back on his life with a mix of glee and a little sadness.
06:25The days of his youth are gone, and he now struggles with nostalgia.
06:29Despite the triumphant horns that give the tune an uplifting sound, Wonder's words remind us that
06:41you truly start to miss the good old days only after they're over. The artist knows how to play
06:49both sides of the musical coin and still leave you smiling. Number 43. Pompeii, Bastille. Bastille
07:02might be best remembered for this thrilling hit, whose lyrics will definitely make you think twice
07:07about your own life. The title contains obvious allusions to the tragic historical event,
07:18but there's still some depth lurking underneath. If you listen closely,
07:22you'll find that the tune is full of rich metaphors.
07:25Bastille frontman Dan Smith weaves a sad tale around the eruption of Mount Vesuvius,
07:37envisioning the thoughts and words of the city's doomed residents.
07:40If it all ended tomorrow, would you be happy about how you lived your life?
07:45The song explores this timeless question, using the depressing event to make us think.
07:56Number 42. Everybody Wants to Rule the World, Tears for Fears. As one of their most identifiable
08:03hits, Tears for Fears' Everybody Wants to Rule the World captures them at their best.
08:15The driving synth keeps listeners invested through its trademark 1980s vibes.
08:19It also touches on subjects such as the Cold War,
08:22digging into the real-world problems created by power-hungry people.
08:32The group sings an important message about the pitfalls of war, conflict, and greed.
08:37While the message is applicable to a wide range of topics, it still works in today's messy world.
08:43You might be bouncing along to the production, but the single's thematic content will make
08:47you consider the biggest problems facing humanity.
08:56Number 41. Ants Marching, Dave Matthews Band. This group is known for their energetic hits
09:01and soulful ballads. Ants Marching may sound like it falls under the former category,
09:06but it actually has a surprisingly dark side.
09:09The lyrics discuss the ways in which people in society grow isolated from each other.
09:17Not only that, it has insights into the drifting apart of family and friends.
09:28Lead singer Dave Matthews alludes to the pros and cons of nostalgia,
09:32crafting a song that is filled with longing and questions if we're all that close to one another.
09:37The 90s single combines jaunty singing and violin playing with a thought-provoking message,
09:42and asks listeners to reflect on their own connections with others.
09:51Number 40. Time Will Crawl, David Bowie. Continuing his success into the 1980s,
09:57David Bowie didn't stop pushing the envelope as an artist.
10:07His single, Time Will Crawl, covers the issues of the mid-decade,
10:11such as the Chernobyl disaster. As the uncertainty regarding the catastrophic incidents swirled,
10:16the singer gave his take on these late Cold War period events.
10:19He uses visual metaphors to describe the environmental effects of radiation.
10:31This includes what the effects of a massive event like that does to the human body,
10:35with some references being straight out of a horror film.
10:38Bowie uses the pop sounds of the day to explain his complex feelings on the matter.
10:43So maybe think twice about putting this on a pump-up playlist.
10:52Number 39. Blinding Lights, The Weeknd. Even though so many people have heard this popular song,
10:58few may realize that it has an additional darkness lurking beneath the lyrics.
11:05This journey into a chaotic night out offers much more than a pulsating beat and a memorable hook.
11:13The singer also mentions that his songwriting alludes to drunk and reckless driving.
11:23Putting more edgy subjects at the forefront, the artist explores the pitfalls of partying
11:27too hard and having impaired judgment. With an added danger element,
11:31Blinding Lights takes on a whole new meaning.
11:34It is so much more than a catchy and one-off commercial hit.
11:42Number 38. Rehab, Amy Winehouse.
11:45One of Amy Winehouse's greatest hits came layered with a hard reality.
11:54Rehab is impossible to listen to now without considering the ultimate outcome of the singer's
11:59While there is some discrepancy about the central lyrics,
12:02the ultimate meaning of the single comes from her personal struggles.
12:12At the very least, listeners can enjoy the song knowing that it helped
12:16Winehouse achieve legendary status in the music world.
12:19The fearless words are especially vulnerable and a pointed look at dealing with substance use.
12:24With that in mind, all of this happens with a Mark Ronson production to pump up the overall mood.
12:35Number 37. Walkin' On The Sun, Smash Mouth.
12:39Anyone that enjoys Smash Mouth likely knows them for their unbridled rock and pop work.
12:44Walkin' On The Sun features a funky, psychedelic riff that feels right at home with their best efforts.
12:49Little do people know that it has roots in the Rodney King incident from the early 1990s.
12:54After being deeply affected by the LA riots,
12:57the group tried to reference the destruction that took place as a result of police brutality.
13:05The titular metaphor takes an indirect and direct approach to the song.
13:09The titular metaphor takes an indirect route to deal with a major event from the decade.
13:14Doing so with a multi-genre flair,
13:16this big hit also established the inviting sound that set the group apart from their contemporaries.
13:28This ska song helped supplant the sublime myth following their singer's death.
13:39Although it has an easy-going vibe,
13:41Santeria features some more disturbing lyrics than expected.
13:45Bradley Knowles sings about wanting to find the man that took his girlfriend.
13:54Not only does he threaten to shoot the man, he says he'll strike his ex-partner.
13:59This seems largely contrary to the chilled-out production of the single.
14:02Using a reggae influence, the act examines the tale of a scorned lover with gritty lyrics.
14:10Knowles' delivery and the band's efforts provide a great counterpoint to the heavier content.
14:24Known as a highlight of the mid-1990s,
14:27Hansen's single features a lot of gibberish lyrics intermixed with a more serious message.
14:32The main theme of the song is about making meaningful connections before growing old and lonely.
14:37Coming from a trio of kids, this seems like something truly unexpected.
14:46Instead of leaning into the catchier aspects of Mbop,
14:49the three brothers include a more realistic philosophy that's not interested in sugar-coating life.
14:54By the end of the first verse, the group wants listeners to reach out to their parents.
14:58This kind of fully-formed idea separates this hit from other pop sounds that are all style and no substance.
15:14Along with being a 1970s classic,
15:16More Than a Feeling endures as a timeless triumph.
15:20The lyrical content describes someone's life after parting with a woman named Marianne.
15:24When analyzing it, the track could be about mourning someone or a relationship.
15:29Either way, the song explores the more complicated struggle of being unable to forget someone.
15:39This becomes like an obsession for the singer as they contemplate the future of their relationship.
15:50Thinking of her after hearing an important song,
15:54the narrator feels a deep sadness and nostalgia throughout.
15:57Boston's tremendous vocal abilities and rock instrumentation only make this all the more effective.
16:10Barry Manilow made a career out of various show tunes and soft rock hits.
16:14Copacabana might be his most notable,
16:17featuring some classic storytelling and a lively production.
16:24But this narrative has a much darker twist lurking inside than usual.
16:28The dancer Lola is caught in a love triangle between bartender Tony and the evil Rico.
16:38Following the violent death of Tony, the showgirl turns to alcohol to heal her pain.
16:42The singer doesn't let this awful turn change the cheery sound.
16:46Rather than wrapping up this track with a happy ending,
16:48Manilow closes out this cautionary tale without providing any easy answers.
17:03Hayley Williams confronts universal fears in this Grammy winning hit.
17:07Paramore went through major personnel changes prior to the recording,
17:10along with aspirations to change up their sound.
17:13Williams also cites a significant move across the country as an inspiration
17:17for lyrics about embracing serious life changes.
17:27As the song progresses, audiences come to the bittersweet realization
17:31that the song is not just about the singer,
17:33As the song progresses, audiences come to the bittersweet realization
17:37that growing up comes with hard decisions and feelings of loneliness.
17:40The singer's powerful vocals don't get enough credit for selling this
17:43as a multifaceted piece of work.
17:45All the while, the band keeps the energy elevated throughout a fun sounding number.
17:57One of Weezer's earliest hits,
17:59Buddy Holly is full of fun references and rocking guitars.
18:03The song also brings up something of a sore subject for Rivers Cuomo.
18:14Taking a cue from his own life,
18:16the singer alludes to a time that his friends poked fun at him and his girlfriend.
18:27The couple was singled out in particular because of Cuomo's partner being Asian.
18:31Through a fantastic melody and happy sound,
18:34this alternative anthem chooses to celebrate their relationship.
18:37It tries to keep optimism alive in the face of an unaccepting outside world.
18:41The singer takes an otherwise negative interaction
18:44and turns it into an empowering statement.
18:54On their hit album, American Idiot,
18:56Green Day offered up a strong backlash against the Bush administration of the 2000s.
19:00Holiday is one single that critiques certain controversial policies.
19:12Throwing shade at unnecessary scare tactics,
19:15the group doesn't take lightly to the politicians of the day
19:17or the people who mindlessly watch them take over.
19:20They also use an amazing riff and drum part to elevate the material even further.
19:31Unafraid to sing his heart out,
19:33Billy Joe Armstrong has rarely been as furious as he is on this particular track.
19:38Helping to sell the greater album's thesis,
19:40the song never lets up in its hard driving march toward the end.
19:53While some of her earlier work examines fairytale romances,
19:56Taylor Swift's recent efforts take a darker look at love.
20:00The singer delves into two lovers that can't seem to escape each other's orbit.
20:12Even with both parties potentially cheating,
20:15the messy couple finds themselves in each other's arms over and over.
20:19The supremely catchy track satisfies Swifties of all kinds
20:22who are willing to give up their lives for the love of music.
20:30On the eclectic 1989 album,
20:33this single holds its own as a formidable mix of compelling music and lyrics.
20:51Sampling an orchestral version of a Rolling Stones song,
20:54Bittersweet Symphony is a track full of emotional highs and lows.
21:01The Verve single has a triumphant sound throughout that's hypnotic to say the least.
21:12Once the verse starts,
21:13the lyrics slowly reveal a more pessimistic view of the world.
21:17The singer says that life is about working for money and struggling to get by as you go.
21:22Describing the eternal quest to break the mold,
21:32singer Richard Ashcroft dishes out his own interpretation of The Daily Grind.
21:36In the end, the compelling production keeps audiences coming back for a moving piece.
21:41This folksy pop song may be easy to bop along to,
21:43but the lyrics' deeper meaning is far less cheery.
21:52Big Yellow Taxi explores the perils of human influence endangering our environment,
21:56but you'd never know it from its tempo alone.
22:02The song is about a man who's in love with a woman.
22:05The song is inspired by a trip Mitchell took to Hawaii,
22:09in which she literally witnessed a parking lot being installed below a gorgeous mountain range.
22:14The success of the tune is undeniable,
22:16as it's been covered many times by notable artists such as Counting Crows and Amy Grant,
22:21and its timeless message will always hit close to home.
22:25It's a song about a man who's in love with a woman,
22:27but he doesn't know that she's in love with him.
22:30Throughout the 1970s, ABBA was known as some of the best makers of pop music.
22:34This didn't mean they couldn't sneak more complicated lyrics into their efforts.
22:51The song is inspired by a man who's in love with a woman,
22:54but he doesn't know that she's in love with him.
22:56In one of their most notable tracks, the group sings about a volatile relationship.
23:05When it seems like the two are over, they end up getting back together again.
23:16It's a much more nuanced take on a romantic story,
23:19with possible references to them being in something of a toxic partnership.
23:24All throughout the tune,
23:25the musicians populate the single with compelling rhythm and guitar parts.
23:37Blind Melon was a momentary sensation for their hit No Rain in the early 1990s.
23:48Shannon Hoon sings over this psychedelic throwback.
23:51If you listen closely,
23:52you'll notice that he delivers words that are more depressing upon closer inspection.
23:56Hoon mentions feelings of emptiness that hang over people that sleep most of the day.
24:01In a brave look at mental illness,
24:03the track features a lot more than trippy guitars and fun grooves.
24:13Bassist Brad Smith was responsible for the basic concept,
24:16from his own experience being around depression and personally living with it.
24:20Through their bright instrumentation,
24:22the band conceals more complex emotions in their biggest single.
24:33Achieving international stardom in the late 2000s,
24:36M.I.A. received major commercial and critical attention for Paper Planes.
24:45Her collaboration with artists like Diplo features everything from gunshots
24:50to a killer sample courtesy of The Clash.
24:52It also takes an inspired look at the immigrant experience,
24:55with a satirical view of the working class perspective.
25:04The lyrics play around with stereotypes about violent crime,
25:07utilizing sound effects that create a visceral experience.
25:10This in-your-face attitude pushes back against xenophobia with a dynamic production.
25:15Often called one of the best songs of its decade,
25:17this single lives on for its expert construction and the performer's unique vision.
25:30Most of Train's songs have a positive vibe,
25:32giving the band a general appeal for the likes of pop radio.
25:39Drops of Jupiter is one of their big hits with their trademark production style,
25:43blending rock and pop elements with a much deeper story.
25:46Pat Monahan said that this single was inspired by his mother's battle with cancer.
25:55In listening to the track much closer, audiences can hear a message about
25:58making the most of life while you can.
26:00The orchestral arrangement helps sell an inspirational tone despite these words.
26:05Ultimately, Monahan speaks about more of a hopeful message in the face of uncertainty.
26:16Among the darkest Beatles songs of them all,
26:20Maxwell's Silver Hammer doesn't sound horrifying on the surface.
26:32The musical arrangement from Abbey Road resembles something that you might sing along to in grade school.
26:37If you look closer at the lyrics, you'll find something much more sinister at the track's core.
26:46Paul McCartney sings about a sadistic man that uses a hammer to dispatch his victims.
26:56With that in mind, the accompanying noises of the tool hitting an anvil feel especially eerie.
27:02Leave it to this legendary band to give a brutal murderer a whimsical soundtrack.
27:17Bruce Springsteen makes no bones about being a voice for the working class and downtrodden in America.
27:31Focusing on veterans issues, Born in the USA has been misinterpreted over the years
27:35because of its upbeat energy and bold title.
27:37Conservatives have used the song as a patriotic rallying cry,
27:41not realizing that Springsteen is being critical of the U.S. with his lyrics.
27:46It specifically takes a look at a story about soldiers coming back from war only to face financial struggles.
27:58Drawing a line in the sand, the artist describes the inability of the government
28:03to provide adequate care for its own heroes.
28:16Riding through the city on my bike all day cause the filth took away my license
28:21It doesn't get me down and I feel okay
28:23This entry is a ska-influenced song featuring a rhythm derived from a Colombian-Caribbean
28:29dance style, so it's not unreasonable to think it'll be light, summery,
28:34and only about the good times, right?
28:36But I wonder what goes on behind doors
28:38A fella looking dapper and he's sitting with a slapper
28:41Then I see it's a pimp and he's possessed
28:43Wrong.
28:44On this track, Alan takes us through the more impoverished areas of London,
28:48talking about how things might seem lovely, but in reality, they're very much the opposite.
29:01The video for the song shows an idealistic version of the city,
29:04but contrasts it with a much grayer, more depressing depiction.
29:13Cause there's no light
29:15Number 19.
29:16Little Talks of Monsters and Men
29:19Little Talks from Icelandic rock band of Monsters and Men
29:22certainly sounds like a good time.
29:29Cheerful and somewhat celebratory sounding horns blare throughout most of the song,
29:34complete with confident chants of hey and a fun back and forth between male and female vocals.
29:39Basically, it's a nice little indie darling with a budget.
29:49While the back and forth may sound cute,
29:51it's meant to represent a dead husband and his depressed and lonely widow
29:55who may or may not be losing her mind.
30:04They desperately want to be together and very well maybe one day,
30:08but for now, they're apart and painfully aware of it.
30:15It's not so fun now, is it?
30:18Number 18.
30:19Basket Case, Green Day
30:26Never has a song about anxiety and paranoid delusion been so much fun.
30:30Basket Case is a punk rock classic,
30:33filled with heavy guitar riffs and an instantly recognizable and catchy hook.
30:39It makes for a really fun punk song,
30:46but when you dig a little deeper,
30:47it's clear that vocalist Billy Joe Armstrong is crying for help.
30:57The entire song revolves around his anxiety and paranoia
31:01and the belief that he's losing control of his own sanity.
31:09Armstrong said that writing this song was the only way he knew how to process his emotions,
31:14as he genuinely believed that he was losing his mind.
31:18Number 17.
31:19Mr. Jones, Counting Crows
31:21It's pretty much impossible for Counting Crows to sound anything less than happy.
31:33This song is a nice little rock tune, complete with light guitar riffs
31:37and Adam Duritz's soft and soaring vocals.
31:46It's a really easy song to sing along to, despite the somewhat morose subject matter.
31:51Duritz was inspired to write the song after looking at some beautiful women
31:54and realizing that he was too shy to approach them.
32:03He went on to write a song about a depressed and lonely man
32:06who does not believe in himself and who wants nothing more than to be acknowledged and loved.
32:11So, you know, fun stuff.
32:19Number 16.
32:20Some Nights, Fun
32:22At times, this song sounds an awful lot like Simon and Garfunkel's Cecilia,
32:32which is a happy but depressing song in its own right.
32:37This is more power pop than afrobeat, however,
32:45and Some Nights' layered harmonies and frontman Nate Roos's soaring,
32:49Freddie Mercury-esque vocals would make you think it's happier than it actually is.
32:59In truth, it's a song about a young man being far away from his home and his family,
33:07and having an existential crisis as a result.
33:19Number 15.
33:20Guns For Hands, 21 Pilots
33:2321 Pilots are no strangers to the happy-sounding but actually depressing song.
33:28For example, the end of Car Radio makes for a fun dance,
33:32but it's actually about Tyler's crippling anxiety.
33:35However, there's perhaps no bigger contrast in their discography than Guns For Hands.
33:47Fans love it for its rocking synth line, Tyler's fun use of rap,
33:51and the fact that the song is about a young man who's having a hard time
33:56But the song's origin has a much darker backstory.
34:15According to Tyler Joseph, it was written after the lead singer was approached by
34:19fans so afflicted with severe depression that they considered taking their own lives.
34:25Joseph then penned the song to let his fans know they have control over their circumstances.
34:34Number 14.
34:35Electric Avenue, Eddie Grant
34:38This song's upbeat feel made it one of the most popular songs of 1983 in the United States.
34:50It fuses early 80s new wave with reggae influences in a way that makes you want
34:54to dance and feel good. However, the lyrics reference the Brixton riots in London that
35:03took place a year before the track came out, in its native UK, and the title refers to a
35:08market street in the Brixton area. The lyrics also lament poverty more generally, expressing
35:21frustration about food shortages and a low income existence.
35:31Number 13.
35:32Today, The Smashing Pumpkins
35:34Today certainly sounds like a happy song, doesn't it?
35:43After all, the speaker is describing the happiest day of his life.
35:51It's only when you realize that Billy Corgan wrote the lines in a sarcastic tone that the song
35:57takes on a more sinister meaning. Corgan wrote this song at a difficult point in his life. He
36:02was depressed, hesitant of his fame, and living in a parking garage. In case the lyrics, can't
36:13wait for tomorrow, I might not have that long, and I wanted more than life could ever grant me,
36:19don't quite spell it out for you. The song is very much about Corgan's
36:22preoccupation with ending his own life, rather than savoring it.
36:33Number 12.
36:34Rock The Casbah
36:36The Clash
36:37This slice of dancey new wave is one of the most radio-friendly tracks The Clash ever made.
36:55Inspired by the ban on Western music in Iran after the 1979 Islamic resolution,
37:01it's a myth-like tale of a king banning music, and that ban being flouted by the people.
37:14Under the buoyant rhythm, its lyrics are overtly political, calling out the hypocrisy of Middle
37:19Eastern leaders enjoying the benefits of oil revenue and Western luxuries,
37:23while trying to keep the population poor and ignorant.
37:32Number 11.
37:33Bad Moon Rising
37:34Creedence Clearwater Revival
37:36There's something inherently fun about the end times, isn't there?
37:47This classic song is full of catchy vocals and a clap-worthy beat,
37:51yet it's about an incoming metaphorical storm.
37:54Many critics and music listeners have put forth various theories regarding the song's meaning,
37:59with some taking it in a literal, apocalyptic sense,
38:08others arguing that it's about anxiety or depression,
38:12and others reading it within the tumultuous political climate of its time.
38:23However you want to read it, it's certainly not a happy song,
38:28despite its foot-tapping sense of fun.
38:31Number 10.
38:32You Can Call Me Al
38:33Paul Simon
38:34The lead single from Simon's seminal album Graceland,
38:38this song talks about going through a midlife crisis,
38:41all while sung over a joyous, Afrobeat-inspired instrumental.
38:44Despite the happy backing track,
38:52the singer-songwriter's lyrics describe a man who seems to even question his existence at times.
39:03Inspired by an incident at a party,
39:06when French composer Pierre Boulez accidentally referred to Simon as Al,
39:14the track still made the top 30 in the United States,
39:21and was a much bigger hit in the rest of the world.
39:30Number 9.
39:31Hey Ya
39:32Outkast
39:33This is the one that everybody knows,
39:35so it really shouldn't come as a surprise to you.
39:44That said, it's one of the topic's greatest examples for a reason.
39:48The line,
39:49y'all don't wanna hear me, you just wanna dance,
39:51perfectly describes Hey Ya.
39:59It's about a couple who feels they should be in a relationship
40:02just because it's the traditional thing to do,
40:04and because they're afraid of being alone.
40:06And it features some heavy themes,
40:09including generational divides and questions of emotional immaturity.
40:15But hey, the music is poppy and bouncy,
40:21and André's vocals are fast and energetic,
40:23so get up and dance.
40:31Number 8.
40:31Mr. Brightside
40:33The Killers
40:34How can this not be a happy song?
40:36Coming out of my cage and I've been doing just fine
40:40God, I gotta be down because I want it all
40:43It features a charming and angelic-sounding guitar,
40:46sharp synths, and beautiful vocals from Brandon Flowers.
40:56It's even called Mr. Brightside for crying out loud.
40:59Well, if you consider crippling suspicion and paranoia to be fun,
41:02then yeah, it's fun.
41:06The song plays with ambiguity,
41:11as it's not clear whether the speaker's girlfriend actually cheated on him
41:15or if she even kissed another man.
41:17However, the protagonist's thoughts spiral into infidelity,
41:21despite a lack of evidence.
41:29At the end of the song,
41:30his paranoia has cost him both his happiness and his relationship.
41:34Fun stuff.
41:36Number 7.
41:42Detroit Rock City
41:44Kiss
41:45Compared to what the song is actually about,
41:47the chorus can be incredibly misleading on first listen.
41:54Despite the anthemic nature of the track,
41:57it tells the tale of a real-life Kiss fan
41:59that dies while driving to one of the band's concerts.
42:06Frontman Paul Stanley describes how the fan drinks and smokes
42:10before getting in his car
42:12and drives at lightning speed on his way to the show,
42:15where he hits a truck and dies.
42:24Released as a single,
42:25the song became a fan favorite
42:27and inspired the movie of the same name.
42:36Number 6.
42:37American Pie
42:38Don McLean
42:40American Pie is widely considered to be one of the greatest songs ever,
42:43and debate has raged regarding the content of its lyrics for decades.
42:54While the song directly references various events,
42:57including the plane crash that killed many notable musicians,
43:06some people believe that those incidents only serve as metaphors
43:09for deeper, more introspective meanings.
43:19Some believe that it's about expressing grief,
43:21others believe that it's about the loss of innocence,
43:23and McLean himself has stated
43:25that it's about the destruction of morality and idealism.
43:29Do you recall what was revealed today?
43:33Let me use it
43:35No matter the interpretation,
43:37it's very clear that there are a lot of heavy and depressing themes
43:40wrapped in the light folk sound.
43:42Number 5.
43:43Jump Van Halen
43:45The synth riff that defines this entire track
43:48is so fist-pumpingly happy,
43:50yet the chorus hides a dark secret.
43:59According to frontman David Lee Roth,
44:01the song's lyrics were first inspired by a news story he saw on TV
44:05that showed a man readying to jump off a building.
44:15When Roth penned the song, however,
44:17the lyrics were apparently about jumping on an opportunity
44:20rather than off a building.
44:22Can't you see me standing here?
44:24I got my back against the record machine
44:28The peppy synth line was probably what helped this tune
44:30become the band's only number one single
44:32to be released during their career.
44:35Might as well jump
44:39Yeah, jump
44:41Number 4.
44:42Bullet – Hollywood Undead
44:44There's few other songs in the history of music
44:46in which the lyrics and music contrast so greatly.
44:49Yeah, I'm gone again
44:50It's gone on too long
44:52Tell you how it ends
44:53I'm sitting on the edge with my two best friends
44:56To those not listening to the lyrics,
44:58Bullet sounds like a borderline children's song.
45:01It's happy and infectious,
45:02features a child in the outro,
45:04and is filled with the sounds of bells.
45:06I gotta take this opportunity before I miss it
45:09Cause now I hear the sirens and they're all from the distance
45:12However, the song actually chronicles the thoughts of a depressed man
45:15who is sitting on a building about to jump to his death.
45:18So if I survive, then I'll see you tomorrow
45:22Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow
45:25It's also revealed that he's an alcoholic
45:27who has previously made an attempt on his own life
45:29through drug abuse and self-harm.
45:31I looked in the mirror and you said goodbye
45:34Climbed to the roof to see if you could fly
45:36While flying might sound fun to a child,
45:39it takes on a completely different meaning
45:40for an adult struggling with their mental health.
45:43Number 3.
45:44Semi-Charmed Life – Third Eye Blind
45:48Do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do-do
45:52In a textbook case of dark lyrics over a happy instrumental track,
45:56this song opens with one of the most joyous sounding guitar riffs you will ever hear.
46:00I want something else to get me through this
46:06What frontman Stephen Jenkins sings over it, though,
46:09is a detailed account of drug use and the physical intimacy that ensues afterwards.
46:14The sky was gold, it was rose
46:15I was taking tips of it to my nose
46:17And I wish I could get back there someplace
46:19As dark and weird as the lyrical content may be,
46:22Then I bumped again, then I bumped again
46:24I said, how do I get back there to the place where I fell asleep?
46:28It sure didn't faze listeners,
46:30who helped Semi-Charmed Life reach number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1997.
46:35I want something else to get me through this
46:40Semi-Charmed kind of life
46:42Number 2.
46:4399 Lift Balloons – Naina
46:45Next on our list, we have one of the most successful non-English songs in US history.
46:57And with its typical 80s keyboard riff and upbeat tempo, it's not hard to see why.
47:07However, the lyrics tell a frightening tale of balloons being mistaken for missiles or UFOs,
47:13eventually resulting in all-out nuclear war.
47:21We did not see that one coming.
47:23Since its initial release in German,
47:25it's been re-recorded, covered and parodied many times,
47:29firmly lodging it forever in our collective memory.
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47:54Number 1.
47:55Pumped Up Kicks – Foster The People
47:58It's got a catchy bass line and its falsetto chorus would make
48:01anyone think it's a pretty cheerful tune,
48:04which is not surprising given that frontman Mark Foster
48:08worked as a commercial jingle writer before finding success with his band.
48:19But Pumped Up Kicks lyrics are actually quite sinister,
48:23describing the thoughts of a disturbed young man who has fantasies about murder.
48:33The dark, disturbing lyrical content sure didn't phase listeners,
48:41and the track spent eight consecutive weeks at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2011.
48:47Did we forget another case of a peppy song with a sad meaning?
48:50Let us know in the comments below.
48:59Did you enjoy this video?
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