Top 20 MORE Happy Sounding Songs That Are Actually Depressing

Never judge a book by its cover or a song by its sound. For this list, we’ll be looking at noteworthy tracks that seem light until you take a closer look at the lyrics. Our countdown of happy-sounding songs that are actually depressing includes “Time Will Crawl”, “Walkin’ on the Sun”, “Buddy Holly”, “This Is America”, "Paper Planes", and more! Did we forget another song that’s much darker under the surface? Let us know in the comments below.
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#Music
#Songs
#Happy
#Depressing
#Pop
#PopMusic
#Rock
#Rap

[@WatchMojo]

Did we forget another song that’s much darker under the surface? Let us know in the comments below. For more content like this, click here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zp6pc3p7iNqofJo Don't forget to play our Live Trivia (www.watchmojo.com/play) games at 3pm and 8pm EST for a chance to win cash! The faster you answer, the more points you get!

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Always prefer happy music

[@redjed100]

I know you mentioned “Blinding Lights,” but The Weeknd’s catalog is full of tracks that fit this topic. I personally think that “Gasoline” is one of the darker ones from him that I’ve heard, given its clear allusions to outright hedonistic nihilism, as well as the notion that he’s just hanging on for the next night to the extent that if he dies, it won’t mean much to him. Heck, the whole album it’s on is supposed to sound like the radio station you hear when you’re in purgatory.

[@zoelindwall637]

Abcdef vampire viva la vida I see fire castaway runway cruel summer Taylor swift Version shooting in the stars from sonic 2 Beverly Hills I’ll try what I was made for

[@mlpartclub412]

Top 20 sad sounding songs that are actually happy, please? Example: What a wonderful world by Loui Armstrong.

[@Mrmjr80]

Pumped up kicks should’ve made top 5 on the list.

[@evanglotzer2987]

You mean to tell me a song called "Rehab" is actually depressing? I'm stunned.

[@brianswanigan9891]

R.E.M’s “The one I love“ is sometimes played at weddings but the meaning is the exact opposite of what weddings stand for, abandoning someone.

[@baarni]

I had Time of your life by Green Day playing at my wedding only to find out some time later that the actual name of the song is Good Riddance 😬 Suffice it to say we are no longer married 🤦

[@fnjesusfreak]

"A simple prop to occupy my time"

[@laurabeane8862]

Back in the day, it was "Run to You", by Bryan Adams. "She's got a heart of gold that could never die. That would change if she ever found about You and I" Nothing says "Wedding Song"more than how much you yearn for your Side Piece😮

[@brianswanigan9891]

@@laurabeane8862 yeah, I love that song but it has bad recent memories for me.

[@ajblaze7028]

@@baarniI’m sorry for that but why’d I think that was the funniest thing ever😅

[@MacHamish]

ABBA members mentioned in an interview years ago that much of their music was a product of seasonal depression that many from their Northern country face during the long winters.

[@TR-sk8hf]

Hence Swedish Death Metal,do love me some ABBA.

[@kendra.1]

Bitter Sweet Symphony is such a great song. The strings, the message in it. Just wonderful.

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

Very true.

[@Riza1890]

99 Luft Balloons by Nena (1984): an upbeat song about an accidental nuclear war.

[@d4r7h3b3r]

Which was covered near the end of the first video.

[@gloria88246]

that was on part 1 video, luv that song

[@weegie18]

It was on thier first list,

[@ShadowSora8491]

I can't remember if this was on a previous list, but Who Knew by P!nk. It has an upbeat melody, and sounds like a love song on the surface, but it's actually about a friend of hers who lost his life to addiction. Another song that comes to mind is Together Again by Janet Jackson, which has an upbeat dance pop sound, with the lyrics being inspired by her losing a friend to AIDS, and some fan mail from a boy who lost his dad.

[@JENNIFAFAA]

I thought it was about her divorce not her friends addiction.. also, it’s a fairly sad song

[@trinaq]

What, so MMMBOP isn't about being young and having fun, but is instead about how most relationships are fleeting, and growing older?! 🤯

[@miquebts]

Mmmbop = how fast life goes away, how it changes in a blink of an eye

[@wendyodell356]

It doesn't matter what it's about. It's one damn catchy song! I love it and it's way after my time. This was my eldest child's era. P.S. Have you heard it sung by them lately? It's one of those songs that gets better with age or with more mature voices 🎶❤️‍🔥🎤👏☺️💐

[@katiejiles4764]

Do you remember their song, "Where Did Johnny Go?" Now THAT one was dark/sad... but it was honestly my favorite of theirs.

[@cryingbananajo]

It was three girls singing? 😱

[@fnjesusfreak]

"in an mmmbop they're gone"

[@andrewmcnamara6305]

According to TV Tropes this list would be an example of 'Lyrical Dissonance."

[@trinaq]

Haha, that's true. Great to meet a fellow troper!

[@your_local_questerian]

​@trinaq I don't go on there often but I browse there a lot!

[@kelleyk28]

The sad part is that after No Rain came out, the lead singer committed suicide. It was very sad to hear about.

[@joshuamohlman]

When I first heard Copacabana, I was shocked that such a dark story was being sung by such an fun and catchy beat

[@familyoftacticaldroids309]

Same. I honestly never really paid attention to lyrics much as a kid (still tend to not to as an adult, but also nowadays listen to songs that aren't in English, LOL) but after listening to the words somewhere, I was like "Wait". xD

[@kittykathy9532]

Amy Winehouse was so talented and left us too early. So many talented people left us due to addiction.😢

[@davidpumpkinsjr.5108]

For more than 40 years now, fratboys and Parrotheads have been holding up "Margaritaville" as the ultimate party anthem, a celebration of the hard-drinking, hard-partying beach life. If you listen to the lyrics (while sober), it's from the perspective of a man whose hard-drinking, hard-partying beach life has left him old, drunk and alone and slowly realizing that it is his own fault. To his credit, Jimmy Buffett has tried to set the record straight here, but no one has been listening to him. I guess it's just too catchy.

[@dicksonfranssen]

It's only catchy until you need a new liver.

[@patrickn8355]

I mean "wasted away again in margaritaville....but I know, it's only my fault" seems pretty self explanatory 😂

[@BarryHart-xo1oy]

Thank you for pointing this out.

[@mayleeneyarbough-noel5859]

Selena Quintanilla’s “Cómo La Flor” is super upbeat in terms of music, but is about a breakup that leaves the singer devastated and very hurt

[@RoShaSam]

'Luka' by Suzanne Vega should be added. It's actually a song about a child being abused. 'Just Feel Better' by Santana is also another one. It pulled me through some rough days.

[@FeernChan]

disagree, Luka had a very sad, nostalgic melody that makes the song sound pretty obvious it isn't about something happy. (amazing song tho)

[@helvetico18]

Well, there's nothing "happy sounding" on Luka... Actually on none of Suzanne Vega songs lol

[@The_Obvious_Solution]

Really surprised to not see Third Eye Blind's "Semi-Charmed Life". That's poppy as hell, but kinda dark.

[@Tazza81]

It was in the first list they did

[@BLVCKSEA]

That song was low key about meth addiction

[@SnarfSnarf2]

The cover of that song by Dance Gavin Dance is even better

[@nirmalsuki]

@@BLVCKSEA Not low key... It was explicitly about Meth Addiction.

[@larryk731]

Springsteen performed Born in the USA at MSG in a properly depressing slow way in 2000 - one of the best performances of this song ever.

[@mellinda81]

Us Hanson fans knew the true meaning of Mmmbop while we were teenagers but now that we’re in our later 30s-early 40s it takes on a new meaning. Glad I’ve stuck with Hanson even though the record industry didn’t know what to do with them. They are amazing musicians with profound lyrics that they have continued to make as independent artists.

[@shepshape2585]

The first song I think of when I think of songs that most people think is a happy song but is really and truly dark is Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People. Very catchy, happy sounding song...all about the mass shooting at Columbine High School.

[@TheTrumpReaper]

Pumped Up Kicks is a beautiful song with horrifying lyrics.

[@bjk3054]

First one that came ro mind for me.

[@RabblesTheBinx]

It wasn't specifically about Columbine, just about a violent, isolated, psychotic kid.

[@AliceBowie]

Really? Thanks for cracking the case, Kojak!

[@AngeliqueStP]

It think it really holds the same place as 'I Don't Like Mondays' did 'back in the day'... both dealing with school shooters. (IMO)

[@trinaq]

Wow, I remember happily singing along with "Walkin on the Sun", completely oblivious to the subtext of the Rodney King race riots. Talk about mind blowing! 🤯

[@esteemedmortal5917]

I mostly associate it with the trailer for the movie ‘Wag the Dog’ about politicians creating a fake war to distract from domestic issues. So perhaps not the right source of cynicism but it got the flavor across.

[@patrickadams7120]

Fleetwood Mac - Go Your Own Way ABBA - The Winner Takes It All Guns n Roses - Welcome To The Jungle Pink - Just Like A Pill Motley Crue - Dr. Feelgood

[@JamesDavy2009]

Choirboys - Run to Paradise

[@naeemjamil3267]

Dont Worry Be Happy - Bobby Mcferrin

[@user-bm5jx2ye2p]

What is the meaning behind go your own way and welcome to the jungle

[@thealextrifier]

i kinda figured Blinding Lights, my favorite song of all time, would be on this list after hearing the words 'i can't sleep until i feel your touch.'

[@sonicandknuckles224]

My Least Favorite Abel song

[@zoelindwall637]

@@sonicandknuckles224 blinding lights and the the song from the creepy spider movie song made me stop listening to Abel- the weekend music for ever because of too much repetitive notes and uncomfortable lyrics

[@martyfarrell392]

"Wonderful" by Everclear always comes to mind when this subject comes up

[@miquebts]

Isn't life wonderful?

[@bethbattjes6223]

Love that song. I know deep down the song is about Divorce.

[@Sueberry20101]

I'm not sure if you mentioned this song in another video, but one song that comes to my mind is " Cats In The Cradle" - having lyrics like " when you coming home dad" "I don't know when but we'll get together then, you know we'll have a good time then."

[@Jah_LEASE_yah]

Cats in the Cradle doesn’t really sound happy though.

[@Sueberry20101]

Before I really listened to the lyrics I didn't exactly feel happy or sad, I just remember that the references to nursery rhymes got my attention. That's why I mentioned it. @@Jah_LEASE_yah

[@LMacNeill]

Glad y'all got Copa Cabana in here -- I was a kid when that song came out, and I always wondered why people loved that song so much when it told such a depressing story. It was like no one else could hear it but me.

[@DryBones271]

Mamma Mia is what Mario says when he screws up.

[@Tysonator1000]

If the song names Rehab or Bittersweet Symphony didn't clue you into their depressing lyrics, I don't know what to say to you. Most of these were pretty obvious.

[@katiejiles4764]

I will always think of Cruel Intentions and the sad ending when I hear, Bittersweet Symphony. I LOVE that song.

[@Tysonator1000]

@@katiejiles4764 Same.

[@NYChica23]

For real...you'd think the fact that a song is called Rehab would already be a big giveaway that this won't be a sunshine and rainbows song

[@1891kmk]

@@katiejiles4764yes a forgotten gem

[@Asher0208]

Abba (the best pop group ever) sang a lot of songs that sound bright and cheerful but are actually sad if you listen to the words.

[@trinaq]

Agreed, Ring Ring is very cheery, but implies that the person on the other end won't call the narrator back, for whatever reason or another.

[@mackdee911h3]

Fernando, though

[@julianaylor4351]

Particularly when Bjorn wrote The Winner Take It All on about his divorce to Agnetha.

[@Asher0208]

@@julianaylor4351 I totally agree with you

[@jessicademumbrum2386]

Frida wrote about her divorce, and splits the kids: it was Knowing Me, Knowing You.

[@Heather_no_numbers]

The first song that comes to mind when i think happy but sad is Paint It, Black by the Rolling Stones. The melody and instruments make it sound beachy/surfy but it is about a man who lost his wife or girlfriend in a car accident and he cant take the sight of happiness or the color red so he feels everything has to be painted black. It could be argued that maybe he is upset and bothered by the sight of people going around like being happy so again, he wants everything painted black.

[@CandyCadet777]

How? The lyrics scream sad song and the rythm is slower and more grim

[@babyfaceaviator7862]

how in the hell is that a happy song?

[@IamGenoBlack]

That's not at all happy sounding lol

[@Heather_no_numbers]

Oh, i guess i got distracted with the melody too much then.@@IamGenoBlack

[@IamGenoBlack]

@@Heather_no_numbers I am not attacking you by any means. Music is subjective and up to individual interpolation. My take is Paint it Black is downright sinister. More morbid than happy. It is fast but not necessarily upbeat. Happy sounding would be like Canned Heat, Goin up the Country or similar? Again subjective.

[@hannahlowe794]

Hearing Rebecca sing at the end in a carefree, funny manner is just…a phenomenal and enjoyable surprise. I was all for it. Thanks for the laughs at the end, Rebecca. You’re the best.

[@matthewvorwald7169]

Absolutely. I wanna see Watchmojo do a video where we see Rebecca and the Watchmojo team sing songs. That would be amazing.

[@hannahlowe794]

@@matthewvorwald7169 Yeah, that's genius!!

[@TheTonyahawk]

Agreed nice ending

[@WatchMojo]

[@Friendship1nmillion]

​@@WatchMojoIt's SO IRONIC about Born in the USA as it was used on inmates as torture on loop at Guantanamo Bay . ♑️✍️🇳🇴🇦🇺

[@joermnyc]

I think Ronald Regan was the first to try to use Born in the USA and Bruce had to give him a hard NO. Someone should make politicians read the lyrics of the songs they want to use at campaign events.

[@caronstout354]

"45" just found this out when someone used "Only In America" at an political appearance...

[@momtammy3563]

I have always been amused by the attempt Ed Koch made to adopt Born To Run as NYC 's theme song. Because "Baby this town rips the bones from your back" is at least as inspiring as "If I can make it there, I'll make it anywhere ", right?

[@mholtebeck]

I can't see how that would be considered a Patriotic Song. There is no nuance about it. It's- we f-ed up by ignoring those who risked their lives for BS war.

[@kenhawkins1033]

Someone should make the politicians read the bills that they pass into law as well! In their entirety!

[@ryanironheart4154]

But then we wouldn't have seen Trump and MAGA followers dancing to YMCA. Clearly they have no clue (or don't care) about the song's history and undertone message...otherwise they are being Woke for attempting to be inclusive.

[@AutumnGemKitty]

I used to think "Hoilday" was a fun track because of the feature of the song on the Surf's Up soundtrack along with Welcome to Paradise. That was my introduction to Green Day's music, and now looking back at it, I was like "How can a song be so dark, yet have good beats?"

[@mzspargo]

I think the juxtaposition of holiday going directly into boulevard of broken dreams is magical. Both songs are dark, but one is uptempo and one is not.

[@pattierotondo1108]

Holiday is WAY more accurate today than when it was written.

[@waittillfamewtf2385]

"If It Makes You Happy" (1996) 🗿 Sheryl Crow

[@marissamay8527]

Honorable Mentions: * "Big Leage" (1988) Tom Cochrane * "Wonderful" (2000) Everclear * "Escape (The Piña Colada Song)" (1979) Rupert Everett * "Kings Of The Weekend" (2016) Blink-182 * "London Calling" (1979) The Clash

[@dicksonfranssen]

Escape had to be the dumbest. You're both cheating on each other?

[@marissamay8527]

@@dicksonfranssen It's stupid yes, but it does have catchy hook.

[@NYChica23]

The Clash could fill up about half this list on their own, because Rock the Casbah is also in that same category of happy sounding songs with pretty depressing lyrics

[@JamesDavy2009]

"Run To Paradise" (1988) The Choirboys

[@megg1854]

They are both looking elsewhere only to find each other. “I never knew that you liked piña coladas…” Maybe talk to each other? But, people love the song. Not me! 👎🏻

[@matthewstone5310]

On an episode of "Roseanne," she and her sister Jackie (played by Laurie Metcalfe) are talking about the song "Run For Your Life" by The Beatles. In particular, the lyric about he "would rather see her dead than with another man." To which Roseanne replied: "That's all them wife-beaters need is an anthem!" I was a teenager when that first aired in the '90's. It was probably the first negative thing I ever heard anyone say about The Beatles. Well, someone who was a fan of them first, that is.

[@julianaylor4351]

It's the nasty side of John Lennon.

[@jban4457]

Here's a piece of Roseanne trivia: In season one episode 10 titled Saturday, Roseanne's real life husband Bill Pentland plays Dan's friend. What painful moment from that episode was a nod to a real life habit Bill Pentland often encountered?

[@fnjesusfreak]

@@julianaylor4351 On the plus side, at least he owned up to it later.

[@kenhawkins1033]

​@julianaylor4351 In the epic Rolling Stone interview, John openly stated he'd always hated that song. If memory serves, he said he had written in response to, or with the influence of, something Bob Dylan had done at that time. Too many years have passed to recall the details. The song Help could have been included on this list as well.

[@heidifedor]

The Monkees, “Last Train to Clarksville” is a peppy song about a guy going off to Vietnam.

[@B-Mag]

Abba pretty much cornered the market on songs like this. You could probably fill a whole list with their music

[@derpycow3916]

Idk if it’s on here but “come dancing” by the kinks is about the singers sister who died on his birthday

[@dannyaraya8017]

Rehab never sounded like a happy song -_-

[@eldrindavidson6899]

We definitely sing it in celebration of hearing it. Maybe that's why people resonate it that way.

[@theraptorus]

Can’t believe that they didn’t include Timbuk3’s “Future’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades”

[@CowboyVII]

Being from the "More Than A Feeling" era, thanks for this "Darker Meaning soundtrack!

[@claressalucas8922]

Any list including Barry Manilow gets my thumbs up!!

[@glennstarkey7087]

Still say margaritaville belongs here a breezy beach ballad....about an alcoholic in a downward spiral who comes to realize he has no one to blame but himself...and still keeps drinking Good times!!!!

[@HDitzzDH]

Interesting how OutKasts ”Hey Ya” didn’t make the list, it’s probably the most known example of a very happy-sounding song that has depressing lyrics.

[@danmccarthy4700]

It was on their first list.

[@mistermattmoose]

i remember watching sesame street with my son when he was about 4 (he's 31 now) and they did a song about life on a farm. the singing muppet had scraggly hair, jeans, a white t shirt and a hanky sticking out out his back pocket. the song? "barn in the u.s.a."

[@lp-xl9ld]

With "Copacabana", "Big Yellow Taxi", and "Maxwell's Silver Hammer", I got what was really going on the first time I heard them. "More Than a Feeling" took a while.

[@EsmeAmelia]

There's also "Independence Day" by Martina McBride. It sounds like a cheery holiday tune, but it's about an alcoholic mother who burns her house down.

[@IrinaRGuerrera]

There is not a single Sublime or Linkin Park song that is not depressing, and that is why I love them to death.

[@hprotz6600]

The Messenger by LP is actually very uplifting. "When life leaves us blind, love keeps us kind." But in general, yeah their stuff is very heavy.

[@rcdune7132]

Damn near every Sublime song is about heroin haha

[@michelecollin6150]

I would have included Hallelujah - it's actually about the breakdown of a relationship, but people keep playing it at weddings.

[@familyoftacticaldroids309]

That song doesn't even sound happy to me at all, if it's the same one I'm thinking of. It makes me cry, no matter who sings it!

[@Heather_no_numbers]

And with that, im convinced that people just dont listen to the lyrics, they just love the melody and think it is a great song. That song by the Police, Every Step You Take, for instance, is a terrifying song about a stalker, and yet people think it is a love song. My neighbor sometimes plays it in memory of her deceased daughter.

[@joermnyc]

I think Leonard Cohen wrote like dozens of verses to that song, and couldn’t stop. Someone finally made him sit down and pick the ones he ultimately recorded.

[@Nicholasmcmath-cr1xl]

Agree

[@marikothecheetah9342]

@@Heather_no_numbers luckily, dog people remade it to the song of dogs. It's much more cheerful in this context. :)

[@janellekent7081]

What about "BAD BAD LEROY BROWN" By Jim Croce? it's got the same vibe as "Copacabana" By Barry Manilow. It's about a mean man who falls in love with a gangsters wife, & is murdered. (Well the line is, "He looked like a jigsaw puzzle with a couple of pieces gone")

[@Belgarion2601]

If you think Bitter Sweet Symphony sounds happy then there's something wrong with your ears

[@NYChica23]

Same with anyone who thinks a song called Rehab is going to be anything but depressing

[@netropolis]

...and Pumped Up Kicks by Foster The People? Dark, Depressing, Happy Sounding and VERY VERY TOPICAL despite being a 2010ish song. Kid takes his fathers gun to school and... 🎶All the other kids with the pumped up kicks You better run, better run outrun my gun All the other kids with the pumped up kicks You better run, better run faster than my bullet🎶 Should have been #1

[@Mrmjr80]

I was waiting for it to be in the top 5. Not sure how that one missed the list.

[@netropolis]

@@Mrmjr80 RIGHT!?

[@familyoftacticaldroids309]

I'm sure it made their first list of this same type. This is one those "20 More" lists, meaning that they did previous list/s before this and those may be up already.

[@blackphilipalvarez1305]

It’s on their other list

[@dinocub1]

Surprised a few exceptional songs were left off this list 1. Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls - TLC should have been near the top. 2. Lily Allen's - F you. (brilliant commentary on G W Bush) 3. Goodbye Earl - The Chicks. Seriously...such an upbeat song with such a dark message. Funny how many (not all) on your list were "one hit wonders". Seems the flame burned too brightly with creativity for them to last. Good memories tho.

[@ReeseDavidson]

Random topic: top 10 songs that don’t have the title in the lyrics. Ex: Viva La Vida

[@Jeremiah_Rivers76]

“Immigrant Song,” Led Zeppelin.

[@miquebts]

What's up - 4 non blondes

[@NYChica23]

Baba O'Riley

[@villainousappetite8841]

Black Dog

[@LouJNT]

"Habits" is definitely a song that people tend to not listen to the lyrics much and just the upbeat dancy sound

[@AutumnGemKitty]

If you're talking about the Hippie Sabotage remix of the song, then yes. The original version is not as upbeat as the remix though

[@BladeStar-uq6xe]

Her name was Lola, she was a Showgirl, She loved Tony, He got his face shot off! At the Copa, Copacabana!

[@benrager429]

RIP Steve Harwell. You will be missed by many.

[@glennstarkey7087]

Buddy Holly is so defending of relationships it is "our song" we played it during our wedding cake presentation we wanted it as our official wedding song but the parents wanted a ballad so we used at my most beautiful by REM

[@ksmith1728]

This list is missing “semi charmed kind of life” …..i can never listen to this again

[@blackphilipalvarez1305]

I am pretty sure it’s on the other video they did about this subject.

[@diligentsun1154]

Let me stop you, right here, for a second. That 'more than a feeling' song, by Boston, Rocks SO Hard!!! I've been In Love with it, since the late 80s! Ok. You may proceed...

[@danielleeveritt9323]

I love Manilow. That's not his only sad song but its probably the saddest.

[@CourtneyPielok]

yes Copacabana is surprisingly depressing when you actually listen to the lyrics tbh

[@alexloche4166]

Wang Chung - Dance Hall Days. Looking at the lyrics on this song with its lovely beat.....they are very dark

[@familyoftacticaldroids309]

At least "Star Wars Cantina" doesn't end on a sad note, right? ;) For those who don't know, it's Weird Al's version of Coca Cabana. :P (also now wondering if my dad knows about some of his fave songs, such as Holiday, being actually rather jacked up emotion wise. :P He also likes the Beatles so I wonder if he knows about this one, LOL) Also for those asking about Pumped Up Kicks, it was used in Mojo's previous list regarding this same theme. This is a continued list, so it will not be mentioned again here.

[@familyoftacticaldroids309]

Also, I've a suggestion if you've not done it yet, Mojo: Top music genres that may sound wholesome or easy to listen to but actually contain dark/depressing songs. Or can just be "contain more dark/depressing songs than you think". At my job site, I found that country music - when not singing about nature or a truck or some vehicle - tends to have more stuff about going to prison, a runaway girl, breakups, death, addiction, etc. I personally hate country, so I never engage with it (aside from Cotton Eyed Joe), and didn't even realize that most of the songs played are about something that may not be expected of the genre (I admit it, I expected horses, nature, and farmer stuff, lol).

[@esteemedmortal5917]

Honestly, those are the lyrics that come to mind when I hear that tune 😂

[@marigold3208]

I don’t know how many people will have mentioned it, but Stayin’ Alive by The Bee Gees, about the utter state of NYC (bankrupt, out of control crime, including Son of Sam) that’s perfect for the film, and the time.

[@Margann1987]

"Super Trouper" by ABBA can also be on this list. It tells the story of a disillusioned singer who seems as though life is not worth living and the only thing keeping her going is her lover. I would also include "Smoke from a Distant Fire" by Sanford & Townsend. It tells about a man confronting a cheating lover and essentially telling her off but with a great beat.

[@danmccarthy4700]

OMG I totally agree with Smoke from a Distant Fire. Such a good song, too.

[@Margann1987]

@@danmccarthy4700 Absolutely! 😊

[@windymar]

22 by Lily Allen should've been on this list. This song talks about how women are called useless and fracassed if they don't make it to 30 with a successful man. The music video is very sad and reflective too.

[@reginasuangco8563]

Any list including Hanson gets my thumbs up!!

[@rcdune7132]

El Paso by Marty Robbins... About a man who falls in love with a lovely seniorita while in a Cantina in El Paso. He never really gets jealous over someone sharing a drink with and challenges this man, eventually killing him.. the man must go on the run but his love for the seniorita is too powerful and he foolishly goes back to El Paso with a bounty on his head... The song eventually ends with the lovely seniorita putting a bullet in him

[@JDoors]

Another catchy tune with a dark message: "Nothing But Flowers" by The Talking Heads. Who wouldn't like a world full of flowers? Uh, everybody.

[@Future_Doggo]

Pink Floyd - Mother is another prime example of this. Alot of people still think its a tribute to mothers everywhere, when it's actually about an overprotective mother slowly ruining her son's life. I physically cringe into my seat everytime my radio station plays this on Mother's Day.

[@MonsterJuiced]

You are seriously kidding me... that song is on the radio on mother's day? Surely, all of the collective IQs of the station should atleast remember the line about his balls... Jesus christ.

[@DBCDude01]

What about Spin Doctors' "Two Princes?"

[@b.t.356]

"Your Love" by The Outfield belongs here. Fans of the Colorado Rockies professional sports team sing along to it at the tops of their lungs, and it's one of the most beloved songs by the group. However, Tony Lewis is describing cheating on his significant other, Josie, while she's on a vacation far away. On that note, "I Like It" by Enrique Iglesias and Pitbull belongs here, too. Very club-like dance beat, with lyrics describing two people cheating on their vacationing significant others with one another.

[@1958PonyBoy]

Two songs that come to mind that I didn't see on this list is "Goodbye to Love" by the Carpenters and the one that I'm surprised didn't make it to #1, "Over the Rainbow" by Judy Garland.

[@dicksonfranssen]

Seeing videos of Karen Carpenter when she's obviously sick is disturbing.

[@lansesteiner3563]

Cats In the Cradle 1999 Semi Charmed Life Pumped Up Kicks

[@julianaylor4351]

Cats In The Cradle is even sadder when you know it's writer Harry Chapin died in a car crash with a lorry.

[@NYChica23]

Cat's in the Cradle is happy sounding to begin with?

[@GlennB9876]

The Nolans - I’m in the mood for dancing… also always a Happy/Sad vibe to it.

[@baarni]

Another song that has a catchy sound but has a horrific storyline is I don’t like Mondays by The Boomtown Rats…

[@MosEisleySpacePort1138]

Every Breath You Take (The Police): it’s actually about a stalker Pumped Up Kicks (Foster the People) Time to Pretend (MGMT)

[@BrianHartman]

"A Murder of One" is an energetic song by Counting Crows that has some really dark lyrics.

[@nathansack3284]

Great song and often overlooked. That is one of my favorite albums

[@angeltheedmfan6369]

"Happy Sounding Songs that are actually Depressing" Japanese Songs: 😏

[@hestushenchman]

I've never considered Bittersweet Symphony to be happy sounding.

[@julianaylor4351]

I never thought Copacabana was a happy song, because I listen to lyrics properly. Likewise a lot of Abba's song are about their relationships, including the divorce of Bjorn and Agnetha, plus relationships in general, not unlike some of Fleetwood Mac's songs.

[@henrikharbin5521]

Some of mine: 1. KISS - Shandi 2. Boomtown Rats - I Don't Like Mondays 3. David Bowie - Oh! You Pretty Things 4. Concrete Blonde - Roses Grow 5. Tori Amos - Cornflakes Girl 6. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy 7. Melissa Etheridge - You Can Sleep While I Drive 8. Queensryche - Best I Can 9. Motley Crue - Too Young to Fall in Love 10. Alcatrazz - Island in the Sun 11. Chris's Cornell - Can't Change Me 12. Heart - Barracuda 13. Loudness - Ashes in the Sky 14. Within Temptation - Angels 15. The Sweet - Ballroom Blitz

[@katiejiles4764]

#2 was inspired by a school sho*ter that was quoted as saying, "I don't like Mondays" when asked why she did what she did.

[@NYChica23]

Is Can't Change Me even happy sounding to start with?

[@JamesDavy2009]

The Choirboys - Run To Paradise

[@Survivor-dw7we]

Master of Puppets by Metallica Papa was a Rolling Stone by The Temptations.

[@ShadowSora8491]

That reminds me of 2 songs by Motley Crue: Dr. Feelgood and Kickstart My Heart. Dr. Feelgood is about a drug dealer and Kickstart My Heart is about Nikki Sixx having an overdose and the paramedic giving him an adrenaline shot to the heart.

[@villainousappetite8841]

Master of Puppets isn't happy sounding to begin with.

[@itreallybelikethatdoe829]

wow u ur singing is incredible rebecca great job

[@sjduges67]

You can also add Fortunate Son by CCR.

[@imonlyjustsaying4395]

Shout out to the Writers that actually wrote these song for the artist

[@TheClumsyXeno]

Yeah, they need to see a therapist-

[@alexandermcmiller6175]

I expected seasons in the sun to be on this list

[@Tere999]

Nick Glider- Hot Child in the City should be on here.

[@elfaulkner84]

Maxwell's Silver Hammer would make a great horror movie.

[@CloroxBleachCompany]

Honorable mention: Gypsy Woman by Crystal Waters

[@Akira625]

That's a song I haven't heard in a long time.

[@caronstout354]

Heart's "All I Want To Do Is Make Love To You"- A woman has sex with random strangers to get pregnant because her husband is unable to father a child...

[@blackphilipalvarez1305]

Pretty self explanatory and it’s not a happy song anyway

[@1958PonyBoy]

I don't know. Sounds like more fun than going to a fertility clinic. 😊

[@user-iy1vw5hi2s]

This really makes you think. I never knew that drops of Jupiter was about cancer it's such a beautiful song and now I find it heartbreaking

[@thomaswilliams2780]

I'd have put Mr Brightside by The Killers (not sure if it's in the 1st one of these). Upbeat song, but with really deep lyrics

[@lissascales6769]

I’ve always put Time for Me to Fly by REO Speedwagon in this same category.

[@jennifercourtemanche9793]

I would add Sunshine Highway by Dropkick Murphys. Upbeat tune that I have heard so many people reference as a roadtrip song but it's lyrics are clearly about drugs and rehab.

[@ZOSO900]

The first song that came to mind from that title was "I Could Never Take The Place of Your Man" by Prince.

[@MRTDandH]

Can we all just admit that Sublime are the KINGS of writing happy and groovy sounding songs that are so dark and depressing!

[@kamirochelle4230]

I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) - Meat Loaf

[@Flo7Mo]

Bad Moon Rising by CCR