Top 10 Upbeat Songs That Are Actually Heartbreaking
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I Love Rock and Roll is treated as a feminist anthem, which music camp girls are taught to sing when theyre 9, but if you listen closely, its about a predatory woman seducing an underage male. The fist version of the song was actually about a man seducing a girl, which would be universally deplored, but apparently when you reverse the genders it sounds more funny than rapey.\r\n
Date: 2023-11-21
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Comments and reviews: 29
FeatheredWingz
I feel like a few of these picks don't really qualify as upbeat or deceptive with tone, rather, they simply have a catchy hook. But that's just a nitpick lol. I like hearing the backstories, I wasn't aware of some of them!
Also, considering how I seemed to run into it all over the place in fandom spaces during my tweens in early 2010s, I'm surprised Rolling Girl by Wowaka isn't on the list in honourable mentions.
Watching the live concert video of the vocaloid character, Hatsune Miku, cheerfully dance to an upbeat song about a depressed teenage girl wrestling with her urges to die is an image I won't forget.
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I feel like a few of these picks don't really qualify as upbeat or deceptive with tone, rather, they simply have a catchy hook. But that's just a nitpick lol. I like hearing the backstories, I wasn't aware of some of them!
Also, considering how I seemed to run into it all over the place in fandom spaces during my tweens in early 2010s, I'm surprised Rolling Girl by Wowaka isn't on the list in honourable mentions.
Watching the live concert video of the vocaloid character, Hatsune Miku, cheerfully dance to an upbeat song about a depressed teenage girl wrestling with her urges to die is an image I won't forget.
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Undead
Thats also the case with many Twenty One Pilots songs - they sound happy & are upbeat, but are actually depressing & deep. Ride for example is about having an existential crisis (at least that is my interpretation) or Stressed Out deals with how depressing growing up can be. Tyler Joseph, the singer, even said in Not Today: This ones a contradiction because of how happy it sounds, but the lyrics are so down. Especially the first two albums (technically three if you include Regional At Best) habe the power to throw you into an endless cycle of overthinking and overanalysing
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Thats also the case with many Twenty One Pilots songs - they sound happy & are upbeat, but are actually depressing & deep. Ride for example is about having an existential crisis (at least that is my interpretation) or Stressed Out deals with how depressing growing up can be. Tyler Joseph, the singer, even said in Not Today: This ones a contradiction because of how happy it sounds, but the lyrics are so down. Especially the first two albums (technically three if you include Regional At Best) habe the power to throw you into an endless cycle of overthinking and overanalysing
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PoohbearPlus
I would put Creep by Radiohead on this list. I can definitely relate to that song. Some others I would include would be Fast Car by Tracy Chapman ( an impoverished Black American girl dreaming of a better life, Dreams of the Everyday Housewife by Glen Campbell (feeling alone in a marriage from a female perspective, and Divine by Blondie (wishing you and the one you dream about will somehow get together and then the love you two will share will make life perfect.
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I would put Creep by Radiohead on this list. I can definitely relate to that song. Some others I would include would be Fast Car by Tracy Chapman ( an impoverished Black American girl dreaming of a better life, Dreams of the Everyday Housewife by Glen Campbell (feeling alone in a marriage from a female perspective, and Divine by Blondie (wishing you and the one you dream about will somehow get together and then the love you two will share will make life perfect.
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ShadowSora8491
Another song that comes to mind is Rose Colored Boy by Paramore. The song has an 80s-inspired upbeat melody, but it actually deals with the issue of toxic positivity, and the fact that you shouldn't have to fake a smile, and pretend that you're happy and everything's fine, when in reality, everything's not fine; and, that it's okay to feel those negative emotions, when you're not happy.
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Another song that comes to mind is Rose Colored Boy by Paramore. The song has an 80s-inspired upbeat melody, but it actually deals with the issue of toxic positivity, and the fact that you shouldn't have to fake a smile, and pretend that you're happy and everything's fine, when in reality, everything's not fine; and, that it's okay to feel those negative emotions, when you're not happy.
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Nicole
What about everybody wants to rule the world isn't it about dictators and Big brother The originals really upbeat
Edit: so apparently it's about humans desire for control and power which is still kind of dark for how upbeat the original is I just remember hearing the original a lot when I was a kid and not realizing how serious or dark the lyrics were until lorde did her version
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What about everybody wants to rule the world isn't it about dictators and Big brother The originals really upbeat
Edit: so apparently it's about humans desire for control and power which is still kind of dark for how upbeat the original is I just remember hearing the original a lot when I was a kid and not realizing how serious or dark the lyrics were until lorde did her version
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Life
Gives You Hell by All American Rejects: literally about a guy who's clearly hoping the girl who broke his heart to feel miserable when she sees him (and even notes how he's the fool if she doesn't even recognize it's an insult to her)
Almost by Bowling for Soup: About a guy who hit rock bottom after he found out the girl he loved didn't love him back
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Gives You Hell by All American Rejects: literally about a guy who's clearly hoping the girl who broke his heart to feel miserable when she sees him (and even notes how he's the fool if she doesn't even recognize it's an insult to her)
Almost by Bowling for Soup: About a guy who hit rock bottom after he found out the girl he loved didn't love him back
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Robert
How can you include common songs about heartbreak (one of the most frequent subjects in pop music) yet manage to completely bypass Bobby Darins Mack The Knife about a violent serial killer? Is it because its from the fifties, a time apparently mojo has no knowledge of? Or is it because its an adaptation of an opera cum Broadway musical?
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How can you include common songs about heartbreak (one of the most frequent subjects in pop music) yet manage to completely bypass Bobby Darins Mack The Knife about a violent serial killer? Is it because its from the fifties, a time apparently mojo has no knowledge of? Or is it because its an adaptation of an opera cum Broadway musical?
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Dayanara
It's actually a crazy musical sequence if you put three videos together.
In Mr. Brightside, Brandon Flowers's girlfriend cheats on him with Eric Roberts.
Eric then spots Mariah Carey at a party he throws in It's Like That, tries to marry her in We Belong Together.
. and she runs off with Wentworth Miller instead. O. o
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It's actually a crazy musical sequence if you put three videos together.
In Mr. Brightside, Brandon Flowers's girlfriend cheats on him with Eric Roberts.
Eric then spots Mariah Carey at a party he throws in It's Like That, tries to marry her in We Belong Together.
. and she runs off with Wentworth Miller instead. O. o
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Barb-
I would have put Fortunate Son by Creedance Clearwater Revival on this list. Of course, I grew up during the Vietnam War and it was really sad to me while having great music. It made me cry when I heard it in Forrest Gump. Those boys were dying in Vietnam while we were having fun and dancing to the song at home.
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I would have put Fortunate Son by Creedance Clearwater Revival on this list. Of course, I grew up during the Vietnam War and it was really sad to me while having great music. It made me cry when I heard it in Forrest Gump. Those boys were dying in Vietnam while we were having fun and dancing to the song at home.
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K. C.
The very first song I thought about when seeing the topic was Walking On Sunshine by Katrina & the Waves. and it didn't even make Honorable Mentions! Really listen to the lyrics. It's basically Please, Mr. Postman revisited. I mean, she's still waiting for some kind of sign that her sweetie is coming home!
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The very first song I thought about when seeing the topic was Walking On Sunshine by Katrina & the Waves. and it didn't even make Honorable Mentions! Really listen to the lyrics. It's basically Please, Mr. Postman revisited. I mean, she's still waiting for some kind of sign that her sweetie is coming home!
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Penny
Slide by Goo Goo Dolls should definitely have made the list. One of the most catchy tunes out there about about a girl being disowned by her family and chastised by her priest for getting pregnant to her boyfriend out of wedlock. It's so sad but honestly one of the catchiest sing-along songs ever!
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Slide by Goo Goo Dolls should definitely have made the list. One of the most catchy tunes out there about about a girl being disowned by her family and chastised by her priest for getting pregnant to her boyfriend out of wedlock. It's so sad but honestly one of the catchiest sing-along songs ever!
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SWLinPHX
I disagree about Piano Man. It is exactly what it describes and seems to be about: patrons at a bar forgetting their troubles, empathizing, socializing and drowning their sorrows (you know, like most bars. There's nothing hidden or misleading about that song.
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I disagree about Piano Man. It is exactly what it describes and seems to be about: patrons at a bar forgetting their troubles, empathizing, socializing and drowning their sorrows (you know, like most bars. There's nothing hidden or misleading about that song.
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Brian
There's another reason listeners may think Born in the USA is a patriotic anthem -- because they live in a time when giant corporations have taken over pop culture. Lyrics are re-interpreted for the elites' propaganda purposes. The conservative thought police.
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There's another reason listeners may think Born in the USA is a patriotic anthem -- because they live in a time when giant corporations have taken over pop culture. Lyrics are re-interpreted for the elites' propaganda purposes. The conservative thought police.
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Liz
How did Build Me Up Buttercup not make the list! Super happy but really about a super unhealthy relationship where one person is borderline abusive and the singer just takes it. because I need you, more than anyone darlin. You know that I have from the start.
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How did Build Me Up Buttercup not make the list! Super happy but really about a super unhealthy relationship where one person is borderline abusive and the singer just takes it. because I need you, more than anyone darlin. You know that I have from the start.
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zikikki1
The Way by Fastball deserves a spot on this list. It's about an elderly couple (one with dementia and one recovering from brain surgery) that drove off one day and never returned. If you make a second version of this list, this would be a good inclusion
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The Way by Fastball deserves a spot on this list. It's about an elderly couple (one with dementia and one recovering from brain surgery) that drove off one day and never returned. If you make a second version of this list, this would be a good inclusion
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Kitty
Used ta Be my Girl by The OJays would be another example, with its upbeat rhythm, and happy sounding melody, along with a lot of Shoop Shoops, despite that this song is about The break up of a relationship due to the negligence of the lead singers part
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Used ta Be my Girl by The OJays would be another example, with its upbeat rhythm, and happy sounding melody, along with a lot of Shoop Shoops, despite that this song is about The break up of a relationship due to the negligence of the lead singers part
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LunaTheBlackWolf
I wanna include Katy Perry's The One That Got Away. The music itself is very upbeat, yet the lyrics talk about a lost love, and the music video shows the couple having a falling out that ends with the man dying before they can reconcile!
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I wanna include Katy Perry's The One That Got Away. The music itself is very upbeat, yet the lyrics talk about a lost love, and the music video shows the couple having a falling out that ends with the man dying before they can reconcile!
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Imaginary257
I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston. Its such a party song but when you actually listen to the lyrics it seems to be about loneliness. If you listen to Amy Lees cover of the song, you will hear it in a whole different way.
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I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston. Its such a party song but when you actually listen to the lyrics it seems to be about loneliness. If you listen to Amy Lees cover of the song, you will hear it in a whole different way.
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Jin
Id like to add Oh No by Marina and the Diamonds because its about someone who sees all this glamor and fane and thinks theyre nothing if theyre not rich and famous either hugely paraphrasing, but honestly the song is good
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Id like to add Oh No by Marina and the Diamonds because its about someone who sees all this glamor and fane and thinks theyre nothing if theyre not rich and famous either hugely paraphrasing, but honestly the song is good
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Suresh
I would think Together Again by Janet Jackson would have been number 1 on this list! A very upbeat song and one really has to pay attention to the lyrics to know that it is really a tribute to a friend who died.
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I would think Together Again by Janet Jackson would have been number 1 on this list! A very upbeat song and one really has to pay attention to the lyrics to know that it is really a tribute to a friend who died.
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To
You Are My Sunshine
Lovefool by The Cardigans
Some Nights by Fun.
MMMMBop by Hanson
Queen of Hearts by Dave Edmunds (and later, Juice Newton)
The Metro by Berlin
Gloria by Laura Branigan
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You Are My Sunshine
Lovefool by The Cardigans
Some Nights by Fun.
MMMMBop by Hanson
Queen of Hearts by Dave Edmunds (and later, Juice Newton)
The Metro by Berlin
Gloria by Laura Branigan
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plyric
Other than Born in the USA, I had absolutely no clue that the rest of these songs had such deeply tragic meanings behind why the song was written. Very, VERY good video! Thank you for the education!
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Other than Born in the USA, I had absolutely no clue that the rest of these songs had such deeply tragic meanings behind why the song was written. Very, VERY good video! Thank you for the education!
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Anne
Bullet by Hollywood undead sounds really happy but it's actually about someone trying to commit suicide
And a lot of AJR songs are pretty upbeat while putting in some really deep meanings
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Bullet by Hollywood undead sounds really happy but it's actually about someone trying to commit suicide
And a lot of AJR songs are pretty upbeat while putting in some really deep meanings
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Piesel
MMMBop by Hanson too deserved a spot on this list. One of biggest earworms and catchiest songs of the 90s was actually about the fear of growing old and losing everyone around you.
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MMMBop by Hanson too deserved a spot on this list. One of biggest earworms and catchiest songs of the 90s was actually about the fear of growing old and losing everyone around you.
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Anthony
With so many honorable mentions, this list could have easily been a top 20. That said, it also could have included:
LDN - Lily Allen
The King of Wishful Thinking - Go West
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With so many honorable mentions, this list could have easily been a top 20. That said, it also could have included:
LDN - Lily Allen
The King of Wishful Thinking - Go West
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Amina
Surprised that The way by Fastball didn't get an honorable mention it was about an old couple who drove 10 miles to a festival and didn't return. It was so catchy but super sad.
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Surprised that The way by Fastball didn't get an honorable mention it was about an old couple who drove 10 miles to a festival and didn't return. It was so catchy but super sad.
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EyeKnow
I thought for sure you would have had What's The Matter Here? by 10, 000 Maniacs. An infectious pop driven tune set to lyrics about child abuse.
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I thought for sure you would have had What's The Matter Here? by 10, 000 Maniacs. An infectious pop driven tune set to lyrics about child abuse.
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mknewlan67
2020s and ABBA still slaps. Lyrics are still relevant. As an old 80s metal head abba was a secret my friends knew nothing about lol.
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2020s and ABBA still slaps. Lyrics are still relevant. As an old 80s metal head abba was a secret my friends knew nothing about lol.
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Vri
It's funny how americans pronounces double letters: Aba (ABBA, mafia (maffia, Loto (Lotto, or non american things moerseedees (Mercedes.
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It's funny how americans pronounces double letters: Aba (ABBA, mafia (maffia, Loto (Lotto, or non american things moerseedees (Mercedes.
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